Gold Pins Valves

Rayjaysonic · Post by **Rayjaysonic** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 2:27 pm

OK, talking about Electroharmonix 12AX7's here. Is it worth the extra money for the 'Premium' gold pin 12AX7EH valves? OK they are only like Â£4 more for each but if it aint worth it ......

Anyone suggest a good 12AX7 alternative? Thinking of ditching the stock in my V55HD as it is now out of warranty. At the moment thinking JJ 6L6's and EH 12AX7's. Looks like a decent combination on paper. Would love thoughts from the forum.

Cheers drives!

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 2:58 pm

A couple of times noise has apparently been reduced by cleaning oxidised valve pins. I don't personally think it's worth th extra.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:10 pm

I'm personally not a fan of the EH 12ax7's. My peavey triple xxx had them in it stock, and I just didn't care for them. they were too noisy and one went microphonic, I replaced them with JJ's and they sounded better and way less noisy. In my Ampeg SVT 2 I have a combination of Tung sol and JJ 12ax7's. The Tung Sol's are amazing, if you only need a few for your amp I reccomend those hands down. I only have them in the first 3 positions because my tech said those got driven the most and the Tung Sol's would hold up longer while producing a better sound in those positions but I could save some money and go with JJ's for the other 5 positions.

My advice would be go for the JJ's or the tung sol's, I've never really heard anyone raving about gold pins being any better so I wouldn't worry about that.

Rayjaysonic · Post by **Rayjaysonic** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:18 pm

Interesting points, thanks. JJ Electronics Tube - ecc83s/12AX7 seem to be a good price, might give these a whirl!

Rayjaysonic · Post by **Rayjaysonic** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 4:43 pm

Right, went for Tung Sol's 12AX7's and JJ 6L6's. Will do a before and after demo to stick on You Tube at the weekend!! Thanks for the advice chaps.