Needing 12AX7s for my SP3a1(c)

[hifitommy]

Hi guys, i need good but not too costly tubes for this preamp. I am supposing that I need the best tubes in the line and phono sections. Do any of them need to be matched? i would like to keep the expenditure down to ~ $500. I am open to suggestion.

 

[WillBthr]

My thoughts from back then: When I had an ARC SP-3a1 I found that Telefunken, Siemens, Amperex (Dutch & German) and Mullard from the 1950s through late 1960s always sounded excellent, with each brand having their own characteristics in both the bass and high frequency ranges. System dependent as to choice. I believe my original SP-3a came with eight Dutch Amperex. The gain on both sides of each tube should be balanced to each other, and the batch of tubes should be balanced to each other too. The Amplitrex tube tester can measure this accurately and I'm sure others can too.

 

[chiily]

I've a set of new sovtek 12AX7LPS in my SP-8 at the moment and they sound very good. I've tried a variety of other NOS valves, but the Sovtek are real stars.

 

[WillBthr]

I've tried a number of the brand names marketed in the US by new sensor and I found them to be bright sounding in my system and after a period I felt a harshness was present with them.

 

[WillBthr]

I should clarify my subjective statement above was not while using/listening to a ARC SP3a.