Tungsram 12AX7 / ECC83 Gold Grade / No Cryo Reviews

5 Rating 26 Reviews

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909.931.9686

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joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

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2058 Wright Avenue
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“First experience with tube rolling. Pleased with this upgrade to stock tube in my secondary system integrated amp (Muzishare X7). Also replaced its 12AU7s with 1960s Brimars at the same time. Now looking forward to some rolling with my PrimaLuna separates.”

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Posted 2 years ago

David Windstrom

Verified Reviewer

“What this tube does well it does beautifully. Kevin was right about color. This is the most colored tube I’ve had in my amp. My reference tube for comparing with the Tungsram is a Brimar 6057, the most beautiful AX7 tube I’ve heard in my setup. The Brimar has all the gorgeous mid-range sonics and staging of the best of the European tubes, but fabulous imaging, pinpoint accuracy, detail and placement one might associate more with an Amperex or even a Telefunken. The Tungsram, by comparison, has a lush, warm, round and full mid-range, and very good extended bass. However, fast articulation detail and accurate placement of instruments is not its forte. Where it falls down a little is in the ability to handle complex high mid-range material, especially big symphonic, massed strings, or massed choral music. Though the sonics are pleasing, the tube can “break up” a bit under such conditions. The Brimar reference tube does not have this problem. Whether this tube is for you depends on the type of music you listen to. If that is mostly small acoustic chamber groups, jazz combos, or the like, and you like a sound strongly colored to the “warm and round”, you should love it. Sonics of individual instruments are lovely. If you listen to big and complex vocal and symphonic material, I’d look elsewhere.”

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Posted 3 years ago

Darrin Todloski

Verified Reviewer

“Tungsram ecc83 is a sleeper tube. Ranks right up there with the big boys. Thanks, Kevin”

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Posted 3 years ago

Stephen Chamberlain

Verified Reviewer

“Great tube! Has all the sonically musical qualities I was hoping for. It is very quiet.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“I got a couple of these in platinum, no cryo plus a couple Brimar AU7, same grade about a week ago. It was to upgrade the stock tubes on the front row of the Prima Luna Evo 100 preamp. The reason I am reviewing this is to let you know you need to be PATIENT before you judge them. For the first 15 hours of PLAYING time, I thought I may have wasted $500. The sound was dull and lifeless, a pretty substantial down grade from the stock tubes which sounded good to me. Talk about disappointment. And from 15 hours on, a magical like improvement occured. The transformation shocked me. The veil was lifted, the midrange opened up, the treble started to sing with HD precision without any harshness and the bass was defined with a lot more muscle. I don't know which one has the most effect on my sound since I changed them together, but my point is, don't give up on any of these early. I have zero clue what system the people have when they say these tubes sound great right out of the box. It could not have been any more different in my experience.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“It took a while for the tube to break in. At first, I said to myself, "WTF???" What is the fuss about this tube? Then, as it broke in, wow. Most noticeable impression? Deeper, sub-woofer like bass. I mean, a Tyson Fury punch to the gut. Nice mid range and overall extension. Give it a little time to break in. Then, enjoy!”

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Posted 3 years ago

David Martinez

Verified Reviewer

“Wakes up the sound a bit. Good if your gear is a little dull sounding.”

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Posted 4 years ago

Bobby Gordon

Verified Reviewer

“All I hoped this tube would be. Dynamic, clear and rich throughout all areas of sound. A realness to the soundstage I was looking for.”

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Posted 4 years ago