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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2009 12:26:39 GMT -7
I have a chance to locally pickup an EF86 NOS Mullard or Amperex Bugle Boy for my Dr Z Stangray. Does anyone have any opinions to share on both these tubes for the Stangray? The NOS Mullard is going for $70 US and the Amperex $90 US. I can also get the German made RFT EF86 for $27.95 US. I don't really care about the lowest priced tube. Only interested in the best tube for my amp. I'm also looking at NOS tubes for the PI in my Stangray. The choices I have are RFT $39.95 US, Jan Philips $49.5 US and Jan-GE $59.95 US I would appreciate some opinions on all these tubes for the Stangray Thanks.
also without any long technical explanations that might not mean any difference to me, what are the differences between the Mullard mesh plate, long mesh plate and solid plate? Any differences in tone, reliability or other? I guess the most important question is would any of these 3 not fit in to my Stangray either socket or size of the glass?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2009 12:51:28 GMT -7
Just an update on the Mullard. The box is labeled Mullard (mesh plate) but the tube is labled "Heath, made by Mullard", if that makes any difference.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2009 14:06:00 GMT -7
Well I ended up ordering the NOS EF86 Mullard mesh plate (labeled heath) and the JAN-GE 12AX7. In a couple of weeks I'm going to order the Amperex as well for comparison. I also want to order a Dario Miniwatt from KCA. Mainly just want to order the different ones for comparison. When I find the one I like best I'll order a few more of that kind if there is any left. Any I don't like I'll just resell to this lead singer in one of the bands I play in that just bought an RXES. He's not quite as particular and at least he'll be throwing something decent in there instead of a current production that he'd most likely buy.
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Post by zdogma on Jan 9, 2009 16:20:51 GMT -7
I like pretty much all the NOS EF86's except the Amperex. I have 6 of them that I bought at once, and they sound pretty flat in every amp I've tried. The Mullard and Dario are both excellent. RFT EF86 is also good.
I've used both the Jan Phillips and Jan GE 12AX7s, both good tubes. The GE is a bit more balanced. I have a Jan Phillips PI in my Route 66 right now and it has been great, the best I've used. The RFT 12AX7 is a bit darker and higher gain, and its a short plate tube. I didn't like it as a phase inverter at all. It works better as a V1 in brighter amps and sounds great in Marshall amps. In my experience they are a bit prone to microphonics, unusual for a short plate tube, both of the ones I had became microphonic within 6 months.
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Post by hdahs143 on Jan 10, 2009 20:00:53 GMT -7
I've tried them all except the GEC, and the Amperex has consistently been my favorite. It is outstanding in a 12ax7
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Post by zdogma on Jan 11, 2009 6:58:14 GMT -7
I love the Amperex 12AX7's as well, but I found the EF86's a bit dry and flat sounding compared to the others. I wonder if I just got some duds.
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Post by hdahs143 on Jan 11, 2009 10:15:56 GMT -7
I've had Bugle Boys made in Holland and France, and both were 3D to me. I hate using terms like this, but really kind of airy.
The Mullards are close, but a bit darker IMO.
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Post by mitch8686 on Jan 11, 2009 10:34:47 GMT -7
Right now, I'm using a Dario in my RXjr. I like it, it's a little brighter than the Mullard darkplate that came in it. The Dario goes well with the n.o.s. Mullard ecc83 that is in v1, the Mullard ef86 was too dark with it. If I put a brighter tube in v1, I might go back with the Mullard. Although I haven't personally tried one, I've heard that the Ampererx ef86 is more "hifi" which may explain why they may seem more flat than others. To some, this may be the sound they want. To each his own......
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2009 15:27:15 GMT -7
Right now, I'm using a Dario in my RXjr. I like it, it's a little brighter than the Mullard darkplate that came in it. The Dario goes well with the n.o.s. Mullard ecc83 that is in v1, the Mullard ef86 was too dark with it. If I put a brighter tube in v1, I might go back with the Mullard. Although I haven't personally tried one, I've heard that the Ampererx ef86 is more "hifi" which may explain why they may seem more flat than others. To some, this may be the sound they want. To each his own...... What exactly is meant by "Hifi"?
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Post by mitch8686 on Jan 11, 2009 16:04:28 GMT -7
"High Fidelity". In my own words, it means that the tube has less character of it's own. For example, tube stereo guys prefer "hifi" tubes because the generally have a higher threshold before the distort. This allows more of the music being played to be heard rather than the tube being overdriven. Another word to describe it would be sterile; as in the tube has a flat output sonically. At least, that's my understanding of it. It may not completely apply to the Amperex ef86, but I have heard it being described as "hifi". Mike at KCA would probably be able to give you a better definition than I can. However, I have heard good things about the Amperex ef86's in Z amps. Some just like them more than others.
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