12ax7 and 12at7 tubes

[Holmz]

Need 2x the 12ax7 and a single 12at7.
The local shop can get:
- Tugsol
- Sovtek
- Shetland
- Electro-harmonix
- Mullard

Is there anything that I should expect? And lean towards?

 

[Another Johnson]

Of these choices, in these sizes, I have had good experiences with Sovtek, EH, and Mullard.

The pervasive ether of tube aficionado buzz might suggest one as better than another … but my personal experience is that tube sample performance is stochastic, and that deciding which is best from any given bunch is like shooting craps (a dice game of chance).

 

[Holmz]

Of these choices, in these sizes, I have had good experiences with Sovtek, EH, and Mullard.

The pervasive ether of tube aficionado buzz might suggest one as better than another … but my personal experience is that tube sample performance is stochastic, and that deciding which is best from any given bunch is like shooting craps (a dice game of chance).

I think that craps may also be a basis for statistics (Maths).

 

[tima]

Need 2x the 12ax7 and a single 12at7.
The local shop can get:
- Tugsol
- Sovtek
- Shetland
- Electro-harmonix
- Mullard

Is there anything that I should expect? And lean towards?

Are you looking for new production tubes or will you consider NOS?

The new production Sovtek 12AX7-LPS is a reliable tube that is strong for lower frequencies. It can take on a somewhat mechanical character in the uppersm but is quite serviceable. I have not used Electro-Harmonix but they come from the same factory as Sovtek; they also offer Mullard and Tung-Sol, Svetlana, etc. They own the largest tube factory.

If you're willing to consider NOS, they are -- surprise -- getting harder to find and more expensive. Philips, Telefunken and Amperex have their sonic virtues in the $250-$300+ / pair range. The brand I like is Westinghouse -- '60's/'70's well balanced all around -- in the $100 - $150 / pair range.