Groove tubes Ecc83 ... they came at last ......

YorkshireLad · Post by **YorkshireLad** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 7:49 pm

How did it go DrHoo?

Did you find a marked improvement in the sound quality?

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:34 am

OK. I can now confirm that the tubes have made an improvement.
They are 'JJ tubes- ECC83S with gold pins.
They give an overall warm clean sound although nothing dramatically different.
I still consider them to have been a worthwhile purchace.

Thanx again all contributors here for advice.

YorkshireLad · Post by **YorkshireLad** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:48 am

I guess the results depend on how noisy your original tubes were. Mine were really noisy even with the volume on up to only a third.

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:49 pm

I am currently recording wit the volume up on max & then adding tube gain to suit. The tube gain is only up about 1 third of the way.

For the record ,i also use a 'clean box' between the emx outputs & my mixer. Thats a helpful bit of kit. Bye bye White noise !

Do you find it better to turn the volume down a bit maybe ?

I ask because i am new to this unit & still fumbling around in the dark.
I don't know anyone else living near me with the same gear.

Here's an example of what i have pulled out of the bag so far. ( Hope the link works )

http://soundcloud.com/drhoo/on-ice-2-fa ... 192kbs-mp3

YorkshireLad · Post by **YorkshireLad** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:26 pm

Hi M8

I generally have the SX volume on half or less and the Tube gain at about the 10 O'clock position in the dial. That's straight into the mixer and then straight into the PC.

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:40 am

Thanx for the feedback.

Pastor-of-Muppets · Post by **Pastor-of-Muppets** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:28 pm

I found this list useful: http://www.vacuumtubes.com/12ax7.html
It explains some of the differences between different 12AX7-compatible tubes.
Reviews of a few models here: http://thetubestore.com/12ax7review.html

I've just ordered myself some new tubes, Tung Sol 12AX7, from http://www.hotroxuk.com/ - they match all tubes so I hope they will have the same gain.

I thought about going for some cryogenically-treated ones from http://www.watfordvalves.com/home.asp (who will match 12AX7-type tubes for an extra fee) but went for Hot Rox purely because they also sell a bag I want for my R3 and it's cheaper than I've seen it elsewhere

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:41 pm

After reading a bit more on this thread i have now ordered a pair of ECC803S Tube Gold Pins from JJ.

I had the shorter tubes from them before in my mx but have recently bought an sx. I figure i'll put the short ones in that & the new long ones in the mx.

Funny thing, i bought my sx new from HTFR.com & they sent me a unit in an unsealed box with no manual or paperwork.
Even evidence of pre use. Well, i sent that one back ! Cheeky beggers.

Waiting for a new one again. I'll post about the tube results when i've had a chance to play around.

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:43 pm

Here's a recap of my 'new tubes experience' & all thanks to you lot on this forum.

When i bought my MX1 it was a used unit & had the original tubes in.
I got a lot of hiss/white noise & it bothered me while recording.
A sound cleaning box helped a lot between my mixer & laptop.

So, i bought a pair of new tubes (As posted here earlier)-JJ tubes-
ECC83S/12ax7/7025 gold pin.
Those tubes made a difference & there was a lot less hiss. They also gave a warmer & generally cleaner sound.
Not amazing but overall well worth the cash.

NOW THE LATEST UPDATE ....

After reading more of this thread i have now bought more new tubes !

This time they are..Drumroll....JJ Tubes ECC803 gold pins.

I wasn't expecting miracles but based on the advise & experience here i put them in today & lo & behold.........
I think a magic electric fairy has entered my MX1 & given all patches & samples a sonic dusting !

I cannot believe how good they sound. Theese are the tubes with the taller plates.
I had been working on a mix for 4 days & knew exactly how it sounded on the other tubes. I recorded it & then changed the tubes for the new ones.
The whole mix is cleaner. Basses & drums are more defined ,Attacks & releases more audiable, High end sounds stand out more & it all sound more like the sound i desire. Dimentional dude's !

I'm inclined to re-record some of my back catalogue as they all sound so much better.

Well ,there's a long earbending story for ya ! Still, i think worth sharing for the sake of those who havn't tried the new tubes trick yet.

Big thanks & respect to all of you who bothered to contribute to this subject.

I'm not imagining it either.....DEM TUBES .....DEY GOOD ! Happy Daze !

oobs · Post by **oobs** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:38 am

DrHoo wrote:I cannot believe how good they sound.
[...]
I'm inclined to re-record some of my back catalogue as they all sound so much better.

It would be great if you did it - if you do that please put both versions online as I'm really curious to hear the difference.

Thanks for reporting your experience!!

Pastor-of-Muppets · Post by **Pastor-of-Muppets** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 11:12 am

I didn't do a proper comparison (getting the tubes in and out was too much effort to go back and forth between them) but I didn't notice much difference in sound quality between my original (almost new) tubes and the Tungsol ones I have now. I think the gain is higher with the Tungsols though.

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:41 pm

Pastor-of-Muppets wrote:I didn't do a proper comparison (getting the tubes in and out was too much effort to go back and forth between them) but I didn't notice much difference in sound quality between my original (almost new) tubes and the Tungsol ones I have now. I think the gain is higher with the Tungsols though.

The tubes with the taller plates eliminated high end distortion.
The sounds i was creating with the other tubes were good but broke up & crackled as the sound built.
The taller plates seem to be able to give a rich sound right until the sound finishes decaying.
If i use say a straight pulse or saw wave & increase the eg time gradually ,it gets louder & as it builds ,thats when the distortion was kicking in. Not with the taller plated tubes.

I think i forgot to mention before too that i can turn the tube gain all the way up now..To max & its ok.
I don't record my tunes with it like that but if i was playing live.....Boom !

reddone · Post by **reddone** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:46 pm

great to see people still finding the joys of better tubes .

I knew when i introduced everyone to this that it would be real boost
for those who upgraded .

Its great to feel that ive really helped others out there get more from their tribes . it seems i started a worthwhile trend here .

if you havnt upgraded yet , DO IT ... it will change your electribe sounds
forever .

Thanks to everyone who read my post and " did the deed "

cheers

YorkshireLad · Post by **YorkshireLad** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:02 am

Thanks for showing us the light!

P-E · Post by **P-E** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:16 am

Am I the only one to use RCA tubes?