More Nomad tubes discussion, different xxxx, same pile.

[Tommy_G]

Well,

I scored 4 Ratheon 12ax7a blackplates, 4 sylvania 12ax7 long grey plates, and one near perfect RCA shortplate that tested NOS and balanced.

Where should I put what, and why. What's the tonality of each of these tubes? Do some work better than others in clean vs. dirty, in cathode stages, in PI's?

This will be a fun adventure, because I already have a superb sound using NewPro tubes.

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[212Mavguy]

The PI position is the spot for a tube with balanced sections. As far as anything else goes, the Sylvania long grayplates are prone to microphonics. However, they tend to have more gain than just about any 12ax7 on a consistent basis. The Raytheon 12ax7a long blackplates have a partial 3rd mica that helps them to resist microphonics. As far as where to put them, it's up to your ears to decide, it's your tone. Make one change at a time, and the tube that sits in the first position for a given channel has the most tonal effect for that channel. Enjoy, and rooooooll another one. :mrgreen:

 

[Tommy_G]

V1 QUICKEE TEST

(compared to a Tungsol RI which was "out of the ballpark" better sounding than the four uninspiring others I bought with it).

RCA shortgreyplate- wayy too much fingernoise, string zing, and fret buzz with this tube, especially when I'm into the OD range. Behind that noise, though, was a really nice dynamic OD.

Raytheon longblackplate - had a really nice feel and very smooth. Articulation and bark/bite could be better for my classic tastes, but 80's metal dudes would love this one - palm mute chugga chugga abounds.

Sylvania longgreyplate - I like the mids and breakup is about the same as the Tungsol...but geez, is the top end muffled a bit?

All of these VOS tested NOS and a/b tested balanced within <1%. (Not that it matters for the Nomad's V1, which runs a+b in parallel.)

Ok - that was about 2 minutes of audition per tube, I'll need more time. So far, sticking with my exceptional Tungsol RI.