ADA Preamps > MB-1

Anyone try different tubes?

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BrokeDownSouth:
I was thinking about trying a lower gain tube like a 12AU7 in lieu of the 12AX7's.  I'm thinking it might be a little cleaner.   Anyone tried this?

rnolan:
I haven't. With the MP1 and I spose some extent MP2 the general trend is more gain (e.g MP1 3TM) and high gain tubes. But for bass it's a slightly different story as your primary purpose is not necessarily to drive a tube into clipping/distortion.  My take on the MB1 however, is it's designed to keep all that in control so reducing the available gain in the MB1 may not be the best direction to take (no harm in trying though, I'm pretty sure (MJMP, pls correct me if I'm wrong) 12AU7s will swap in electrically without issue).  But back to the idea of cranking your power amp and tuning the MB1 down to suit means less gain needed in the MB1 at the same volume.
There are also lower gain variants of some 12AX7 tubes (another way to go....)  Also a different tube inV1 and V2 gives more variations....

Peter H. Boer:

--- Quote from: BrokeDownSouth on March 06, 2014, 12:01:41 AM ---I was thinking about trying a lower gain tube like a 12AU7 in lieu of the 12AX7's.  I'm thinking it might be a little cleaner.   Anyone tried this?

--- End quote ---
It works :) (although I am always on the search for less clean  :thumb-up:)

BrokeDownSouth:
Thanks, rnolan.  That might be a better way - swapping a 12AX7 and 12AUT between V1 and V2 to see what I get.  I was looking at audiotubes.com last night to see what I could get, most NOS tubes are pretty pricey.  :dunno:  The guy that runs the site is knowledgeable and answers questions quickly.

rnolan:
Hey BDS, Doug's tubes have a good reputation and seem to have a decent variety of models (http://www.dougstubes.com/preamp-tubes/12ax7-ecc83-7025.html).  While NOS tubes are nice they tend to be very expensive.  One of the main differences between NOS tubes are recent manufacture is they used to pump the tubes longer (1.5 to 2 hours kind of thing) these days apparently they only pump for half an hour or so, basically equates to NOS tubes lasting longer as better vacuum (they also got into some pretty interesting metalurgy back then).  Hopefully the attached zip will open for you (it's a htm page and needs the sub directory for the pictures), it an interesting read.
Have fun, let us know how you get on :thumb-up:

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