[jdandy]

Originally Posted by McInosh

I am getting ready to replace the 12AX7 and 12AT7 tubes in my McIntosh MC2000 amp. I am big on midrange, with tight bass. Always just used modern tubes but am going to bite the bullet and get some NOS replacements.

Always thought I wanted to go with NOS Telefunken's. Now am hearing that NOC Mullards are the way to go.

Always heard Tele's had the "midrange magic". Now hearing Tele's are analytical and Mullards have the "magic".

Before I drop some coin, anyone have any experiences comparing the two?

McInosh.......Successful tube rolling and tube selection are dependent on many factors that will be different from individual to individual and amplifier to amplifier. Any give tube will not sound identical in all circuits, nor will its sound be universal from one person's ear to the next person's ear. Believing you are getting legitimate advice from other listeners, tube rollers, and tube sellers is not much more than a roll of the dice. Opinions are plentiful, facts are dependent on multiple variables that can only be substantiated by each user in their particular application.

My suggestion is to purchase both manufacturer's tubes and find out for yourself in your own amplifier what sounds best to you. I have tried any number of tubes from different manufacturers, both new reissue and NOS, both preamplifier tubes and power tubes. I have tried NOS Telefunken, Mullard military, Genelex, Philips, Tung-Sol, Siemens, and others. I don't need to tell you about the cost, but I had no problem selling those I decided not to keep. I have also tried many new reissued tubes from Gold Lion (New Sensor), Mullard, Tung-Sol, Electro-Harmonics, and Penta. Each tube type had a specific sonic signature. Some were similar to others, some were brighter, some were more dynamic, and others were warm in the midrange or presented a soft top end. My experience of rolling tubes in various McIntosh components from the C1000C/T, C2200, C2300 preamplifiers to several MC275's and a pair of MC2301's power amplifiers has been educational and great fun.

Can I tell you which NOS or new tubes you will like in your gear? No, and I doubt anyone else can either. If you want to believe that someone's opinion on the sound of a particular tube is valid, then go for it. For me, this approach would generate more questions than answers. Tube rolling is one of those things you just have to jump into and discover the performance differences in your gear for yourself.