anyone with tube amp experience

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

i have ordered a US Amps AXTU4360 and i was wondering if anyone that has experience with this amp has tried using different tubes? i have read about some of the Mullard, Brimar and Raytheon as having some outstanding tubes ( CV4004 style ). does anyone know what the amp comes with?

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[rugdnit 10+ year member]

Flakko- have any of the guys at the office experimented with different tubes?

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

I used the USAmps one, it was ok.

 

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

what tubes were in the amp that you had?

 

[hemiscott 10+ year member]

I have been curious myself, as to what tubes are in those.. Good thread !

 

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

well for those that care i will post on what is in it and what a little hot rodding can do. it is my guess that very average at best tubes come in them and with a little modding with some vintage tubes a difference will be heard ( the reason why people go with tubes in the first place..... we will see ).

 

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

bump.

 

[DiamondFanatic 10+ year member]

Seems like this would be a good question for JimJ?

He at least used to be into tubes for home

 

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

that is what i thought as well.....i sent him a PM, but have not heard back from him. i know sound is subjective, but i am just looking for some general observations.

 

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

okay so i have the amp installed and a few initial thoughts:

if you listen to rap music please do not read any further as you will not notice enough of a difference.

1. detail is much better- vocals, guitars and keyboards are much improved.

2. this thing is a monster- the 75x4 is most definitely underrated ( US AMPS AXTU4360).

3. the stock tubes need to be replaced with something else- the 12ax7 tube is a pretty hot tube with 100% gain and even with the amp gain turned a quarter of the way up the SOVTEK tubes are harsh when you really get into the volume.

4. i have spoken to many guitar amp and tube guys and many have recommended a 5751 or an ECC81 tube with less gain to calm the sound down. you can spend alot of money on New Old Stock Vintage tubes, but after doing alot of reading i have found JJ/Tesla Tubes that are the some of the best among new tube manufacturers.

5. i will post results after i test the JJ/Tesla ECC83 Gold Pin with matched triodes and the the ECC81 ( 5751 equivalent ) matched triodes.