SimonEdward Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Hello BC-ers : this might be a very subjective question! At some point, I might like to (or have to) change the valve/tube in my TE pre-amp. The valve I'm using at the moment is by Sovtek. There appears to be quite a bit of variation in the price! and probably the sound (?) of a replacement: - JJ: [url="https://www.allparts.uk.com/products/jj-czechoslovakian-ecc83-12ax7"]Amp tube - JJ Czechoslovakian ECC83 / 12AX7[/url] = £12.40 Sovtek: [url="https://www.allparts.uk.com/products/copy-of-adapter-stud-fits-m8-anchors-with-4mm-5-32-inch-small-post-30"]Amp tube - 12AX7WA / 7025 Sovtek[/url] = £16.80 EHX: [url="https://www.allparts.uk.com/products/copy-of-adapter-stud-fits-m8-anchors-with-4mm-5-32-inch-small-post-31"]Amp tube - 12AY7 / 6072A Electro Harmonix[/url] = £24.20 Svetlana: [url="https://www.allparts.uk.com/products/copy-of-adapter-stud-fits-m8-anchors-with-4mm-5-32-inch-small-post-28"]Amp tubes - 12AX7 WA/7025 tube Svetlana[/url] = £30.30 [url="https://www.allparts.uk.com/collections/tubes/tubes-preamp"]https://www.allparts.uk.com/collections/tubes/tubes-preamp[/url] What's your overall experience > What are you using at the moment? Is there really that much difference in the sound? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I'm not too familiar with that amp so I won't comment on any difference in tone between them, but I will say that Allparts prices are not the best. I'd look at somewhere like Karltone or Hot Rox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonEdward Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1508587342' post='3393115'] I'm not too familiar with that amp so I won't comment on any difference in tone between them, but I will say that Allparts prices are not the best. I'd look at somewhere like Karltone or Hot Rox. [/quote] Ah! these prices (for a 12AX7 | ECC83 valve) are a bit more like it ... Thank you! [url="http://www.karltone.co.uk/pre-amp-9-c.asp"]http://www.karltone.co.uk/pre-amp-9-c.asp[/url] [url="http://www.hotroxuk.com/matched-valves-links-page-12ax7-6l6-909-0.html"]http://www.hotroxuk.com/matched-valves-links-page-12ax7-6l6-909-0.html[/url] [url="https://www.watfordvalves.com/search.asp?main=&search=ecc83&man=&sorto=priceup"]https://www.watfordvalves.com/search.asp?main=&search=ecc83&man=&sorto=priceup[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 When I had to change the preamp valve in my old Trace head I got one from Watford Valves. They couldn't have been more helpful and explained what each different valve would do to the sound and character of the amp. I can't remember what I ended up buying, but it did exactly what they said it would do and gave more clean headroom than its' predecessor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afterimage Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Go with Watford valves and discuss what you need you might buy two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-ZARN Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Yes another endorsement for Watford Valves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Just bear in mind the 12AY7 is slightly lower in gain than the 12AX7. My preferred valve supplier is [url="http://www.hotroxuk.com/"]Hot Rox UK[/url] - they are also keenly priced for FX pedals (and they carry a huge stock). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aitkenaudio Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 avoid hotrox, I've had a lot of bad valves from them, watford valves have been 100% reliable thus far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Another vote for Watford Valves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbasspecial Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Watford Valves 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonEdward Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 Thank you everyone for your replies - lots of love on here for the guys at Watford Valves ! I'll drop 'em a line - and let you know how I get on ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 I have had valves from both Watford and Hot Rox. I have had two dodgy JJs in one batch from HR but never had a bad valve from Watford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 I have an old Marshall B150 as a backup and it has a lovely warm sound to it, a mate has the identical model but his sounded tinny and cheap. A swap to a decent valve and his sounds like mine now. Until you play about with them it's hard to appreciate the difference they make to the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Watford valves for me too. Explained the differences between valves and suggested a specific type for what i was looking for. They were spot on and could not be more helpful and quick to reply to emails too. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 +1 watford valves. I normally just get JJ's as these seem to be a reasonable cost / quality compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 If it were me, I'd give Matamp a call. Failing that, HotRox. And I'd go with the JJ's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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