Different/same tubes for MM/MC phono stage?

[Mac6]

Can anyone recommend a place online to purchase the blue tip Telefunken smooth plates 12AX7? I would love to try them in my C2300 MC stage with a Dynavector XX2 MK 2 cartridge!

Are these gold tipped?

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Mac6

Can anyone recommend a place online to purchase the blue tip Telefunken smooth plates 12AX7? I would love to try them in my C2300 MC stage with a Dynavector XX2 MK 2 cartridge!

Are these gold tipped?

Brent Jesse Recording usually has them -- but according to his web site he is OOS. I'd still call him and inquire.

Galen Carol Audio in San Antonio would be another -- he's had them. Not sure if in stock.

Finally bwstube looks to have them in stock.

Best of luck locating a pair -- some are downright outrageous $1300+ a pair. Dang.

Bob

[longgone]

... holy moly! I bought my blue tip Telefunkens about 7 or so years ago. I have a pair of reds, too. They weren't THAT expensive then. Wow! Wish I would have bought more of them? I never used them except for a brief trial. They got placed in the drawer and I used regular Telefunken smooth plates.
Mac6 - if you are asking if the 'pins' are gold, mine are not gold.
I have some (regular?) smooth plate 17mm Telefunkens and they are real nice.
$1300.00 seems outrageous to me, too.
The Russian Gold Lions are right up there, too.

[vintage_tube]

I myself would never ever buy red or blue or green or yellow tipped tubes. Why....because every body and his brother has access to those colors. You would not believe how meticulous fraudsters are when it comes to creating fake tubes these last 7-10 years & reap hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a tube that is actually worth $10 or less.

If you have legitimate pairs -- pat yourself on the back and be thankful. Enjoy 'em.

Best sir,

Bob

[W9TR]

At this point there are probably no NOS Telefunken tubes available and anything you buy on the secondary market is used. That's not bad as these tubes live a long time, But be very wary of NOS stock claims as that horse has been 'rode hard and put away wet'. Tom

[longgone]

... gotcha.
But just wondering what you think about,
"does it make a difference between MM or MC cartridges, which tube to choose"?
I get it, that each of us have our own preference, but in general or for some reason, "does it matter"?

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by longgone

... gotcha. But just wondering what you think about, "does it make a difference between MM or MC cartridges, which tube to choose"? I get it, that each of us have our own preference, but in general or for some reason, "does it matter"?

Sure it matters. If you go from an MC to MM cartridge or vice versa, you are quite likely to hear a difference. The MC slotted Telefunken may sound great to you and the same tubes in the MM may sound (fill in the blank __________). Same principle applies going from Cables A to Cables Z or amps, pre's, etc.

Best

Bob

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by longgone

... gotcha.
But just wondering what you think about,
"does it make a difference between MM or MC cartridges, which tube to choose"?
I get it, that each of us have our own preference, but in general or for some reason, "does it matter"?

Don.......One of the biggest advantages of using premium grade vacuum tubes in the moving coil phono stage is the quieter noise level, in other words a better signal to noise ratio. The amplification factor to raise a 0.3mV output from a low output moving coil cartridge to a voltage level the preamplifier line stage can work with is far greater than the amplification factor necessary to raise a 5mV output from a typical moving magnet cartridge. Because the amplification stage is so much higher, any additional noise in a moving coil phono stage gets amplified to a greater extent. A tube that may sound fine in a moving magnet phono stage can sound noisy in a moving coil phono stage.

It never harms the signal to use ultra quiet premium tubes in any phono stage or line stage but it is necessary to use the best tubes for low noise in a moving coil phono stage for the reason outlined above. Telefunken tubes (12AX7, 12AT7, 12AU7 varieties) are well known for being some of the quietest vacuum tubes ever produced. This is why they are coveted, horded by owners, and difficult to find in acceptable condition without paying absurd prices.

As has been noted by others, there are many unscrupulous shysters who will deceive buyers, selling substandard tubes or even counterfeit tubes as NOS. When buying vintage tubes it is always buyer beware. If you intend on purchasing old stock tubes it is wise to own a tube tester or have access to one. It is the only way to validate the actual condition of new and used tubes.

[W9TR]

Good post Dan!

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Good post Dan!

Agree......He stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Best sir,

Bob