Which 12AX7 ?

[mulveling]

Telefunken 12ax7 are pricey from the primary NOS tube dealers, yes. They are not expensive, and are plentiful, on the used market - if you are willing to accept "used, test strong or like NOS". I think this is a good way to go, since the quality of Telefunkens were produced in large quantity and in pretty consistently good quality. Both varieties (smooth plate, ribbed plate) are excellent tubes that will bring notable improvements to most 12ax7 slots. The ribbed plates have a little bit more zip up top; preferable in some systems but not others.

I've bought these kind of "pulled" Telefunkens, say $50 - $70 per tube, and you'll get an occasional dud but the overall savings makes them an awesome value for the money.

[W9TR]

Originally Posted by mulveling

Telefunken 12ax7 are pricey from the primary NOS tube dealers, yes. They are not expensive, and are plentiful, on the used market - if you are willing to accept "used, test strong or like NOS". I think this is a good way to go, since the quality of Telefunkens were produced in large quantity and in pretty consistently good quality. Both varieties (smooth plate, ribbed plate) are excellent tubes that will bring notable improvements to most 12ax7 slots. The ribbed plates have a little bit more zip up top; preferable in some systems but not others.

I've bought these kind of "pulled" Telefunkens, say $50 - $70 per tube, and you'll get an occasional dud but the overall savings makes them an awesome value for the money.

It is my somewhat unpopular opinion that the NOS supply of Telefunken 12AX7 has been exhausted. They have been out of production now for five decades and in great demand for the last two decades.

If you are buying white box NOS Telefunken 12AX7 tubes then there is a high probability you are buying used tubes anyway, so don’t sweat buying used. If they have good emission and otherwise test well they will live along time in your gear.