Again I can't find the referring topic, but I read on here that a user replaced the tube in his CAD mic with a nice Groove Tubes tube, and that he was saving up for a Telefunken NOS.
Is this wise? Is it worth it? I have a CAD VSM-1, and I like it a lot, but if replacing the stock tube means that I have a vastly improved mic, I'll spend $50-75 to do it.
For that matter, is that a good practice all around? If I have mid-level tube preamps, would it be good to replace their tubes with better ones? Mostly, I need to know about the CAD mic, however. I'd like any and all relevant opinions, please.
Thanks in advance,
Fred auf der Rockwells
Migrant Records
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I don't think you can lose with the JAN-Sylvania fi you're willi
I don't think you can lose with the JAN-Sylvania fi you're willing to pop a little coin.
It's cheap enough to go to a JAN-Philips or one of my faves, the Tesla/JJ ECC83S.
http://tubestore.com/ (good info. and good vendor here )
I don't know much about valves. I know that my AKG Solidtube has
I don't know much about valves. I know that my AKG Solidtube has a ECC 83 (12AX7) tube from their website. Can you replace this with any model with 12AX7 or ECC83 in the model number? ie a Electro-Harmonix 12AX7-EH, a JAN-Philips 12AT7WC or a Tesla (JJ) ECC83-S / 12AX7 or is not that simple.
The differences are subtle but they are all what you call a 12AX
The differences are subtle but they are all what you call a 12AX7 "type" tube.
These guys explain it a lot better than I can.
Great descriptions of the various models and variations found at
Great descriptions of the various models and variations found at http://www.vacuumtubes.com also. Go to the 12AX7 page. Anything labeled for "microphonics" is suitable. BTW, for the mid level pre upgrades, see if you can find a 12DF7. Gain factor of 70 (harder to clip on transients) and warm as your momma's lap :D
TornadoTed: A 12AT7 is a similar tube to the 12AX7, but with les
TornadoTed:
A 12AT7 is a similar tube to the 12AX7, but with less gain. While the operating voltages of some mics let you play with tube choices, I don't know that the SolidTube does. A tube with less gain can, in some mics, sound better for the reasons that Jonyoung stated.
BTW, I have heard rumours that the tube in a SolidTube was actually soldered into place! Is that true?
I have a CAD VX2, which shares a similar head amp design with th
I have a CAD VX2, which shares a similar head amp design with the VSM. In addition, the capsule used in the VSM is identical to one of the two capsules that comes with a VX2. What is clearly different is the output area of the two mics, the VSM having solid state, and the VX2 have another tube stage using a pair of nickel wound output transformers.
I changed the two tubes in my VX2. The head amp uses a 12AX7 (so does the VSM). I chose a Valvo NOS tube made by Siemens. I also swapped out the 12AU7 output/line driver tube for a Telefunken smooth plate.
There's a noticable difference in the sound of the VX2 now, for the better. It's a bit smoother (it's very smooth to begin with) and a bit tighter in the lower mids. All in all, the differences are subtle at best, but I like it better with the NOS tubes.
Hope that helps.