What is the best sounding modern version of the ECC83 (for HiFi use) out of the following manufacturers :
Golden Dragon
Ei Elite
Svetlana
JJ
Golden Dragon
Ei Elite
Svetlana
JJ
The best sounding tube is the one that doesn't sound at all.
That said, what you hear has more to do with the way you use the tube than with the tube itself . . .
That said, what you hear has more to do with the way you use the tube than with the tube itself . . .
Absolutely!
ECC83, Horrible tube IMHO!
Change the Socket and use summit Nice instead!😉
It's a tricky tube to use, but used correctly, it's incredibly linear. I've posted data on this previously.
There is no "best sound" for any tube. Various ECC83/12AX7 tubes have different sound characteristics, while different people prefer different sound characteristics.
The Sovtek 12AX7-LPS have exceptional details in the mid-high frequencies.
NOS Telefunken have much "body" in the mid-high frequencies.
The Sovtek 12AX7-LPS have exceptional details in the mid-high frequencies.
NOS Telefunken have much "body" in the mid-high frequencies.
Really? No matter what the circuit they're used in, where the branded tubes originated, or when they were made (and hence internal structure)? Telefunkens have quite different structures depending on when and where they were made- the shape of the ink printed on the tube doesn't give them a common electrical characteristic.
OK, so a conclusion drawn from a very small number of uncontrolled "tests" in a very limited number of uses.
Best sounding ECC83? That would be the one used properly. Not easy, as the high mu creates two problems:
1. It needs a high anode load, much higher than people often use.
2. There is only a small window in grid voltage between curved characteristics too near cutoff and the onset of grid current in the other direction. This window has to accommodate the whole input signal so the bias has to be right.
Given the right conditions it has a very stable mu so low distortion. The high mu means that Miller capacitance can be a problem in some circuits, but that is hardly the valve's fault as it has quite low Cag. Don't use a high mu valve then complain that it behaves like a high mu valve!
1. It needs a high anode load, much higher than people often use.
2. There is only a small window in grid voltage between curved characteristics too near cutoff and the onset of grid current in the other direction. This window has to accommodate the whole input signal so the bias has to be right.
Given the right conditions it has a very stable mu so low distortion. The high mu means that Miller capacitance can be a problem in some circuits, but that is hardly the valve's fault as it has quite low Cag. Don't use a high mu valve then complain that it behaves like a high mu valve!
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Indeed. There are VERY few well-designed ECC83 circuits, which I think is the reason for the poor reputation.
Nothing further from the truth! It is a common valve, but when implemented well it yields truly excellent results!
Unfortunately most commercial implementations are sad and do not even touch its true potential.
It does responds nicely to negative bias in addition to (or instead of) higher annode voltages.
Also, I like extremely cheap chinese ones in a THICK glass envelope. They can sound just as transparent and wide spectrum as NOS mullard or flat plate telefunken.
All you need is to buy a bunch and do some pre-selection to sort out the most suited ones for your needs!
All you need is to buy a bunch and do some pre-selection to sort out the most suited ones for your needs!
And don't believe a tube is better than another only because it's highly priced! Money is not a quality factor. Expensive tubes in a bad design will only make a bad and expensive design.
The most linear 12AX7/ECC83 I've tested were cheapies from an undisclosed location in Eastern Europe. Fat bottle, small plates (look like 12AT7). JJ were also excellent.
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