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Home » Do Preamp Tubes Make A Difference? The 19 Top Answers

Do Preamp Tubes Make A Difference? The 19 Top Answers

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Used in this way, preamp tubes can produce a scorching, harmonically saturated lead tone that sustains all day—what we usually hear as a classic shred or contemporary rock tone—in an amp that really relies on its output tubes just to amplify this sound, rather than to add further distortion to it.As a tube creates distortion it produces harmonics which are known as ‘even harmonics’. Essentially these are tones which are the same note but are produced higher in octaves. This is why typically a tube amplifier is said to sound better, because the harmonics it produces are much more pleasing to the user’s ear.More to the point here, though, is the fact that the gain of the first preamp tube—often referred to as a “gain stage”—very directly impacts the tone that you achieve from the amp as a whole.

Do Preamp Tubes Make A Difference?
Do Preamp Tubes Make A Difference?

Table of Contents

Do tube preamps sound better?

As a tube creates distortion it produces harmonics which are known as ‘even harmonics’. Essentially these are tones which are the same note but are produced higher in octaves. This is why typically a tube amplifier is said to sound better, because the harmonics it produces are much more pleasing to the user’s ear.

Do preamp tubes change tone?

More to the point here, though, is the fact that the gain of the first preamp tube—often referred to as a “gain stage”—very directly impacts the tone that you achieve from the amp as a whole.


12AX7 – Do different preamp tubes make a sonic difference? From Behringer to Mullard

12AX7 – Do different preamp tubes make a sonic difference? From Behringer to Mullard
12AX7 – Do different preamp tubes make a sonic difference? From Behringer to Mullard

Images related to the topic12AX7 – Do different preamp tubes make a sonic difference? From Behringer to Mullard

12Ax7 - Do Different Preamp Tubes Make A Sonic Difference? From Behringer To Mullard
12Ax7 – Do Different Preamp Tubes Make A Sonic Difference? From Behringer To Mullard

Do preamp tubes have to match?

Preamp tubes are, in the majority of cases, self-biasing. Therefore, they do not require matching. Only tubes that are in a push/pull Class AB circuit need to be matched because they share a common bias voltage.

Do different tubes really make a difference?

The difference can be very large, especially if the existing tubes are old. The old tubes might “test good,” but they can sound lame compared to better ones.

Are preamps worth it?

Bottom line: An external preamp is a great second step to improve your sound quality or to obtain more sound variety, but don’t make the second step before you’ve made the first. You can make great recordings with just your audio interface’s internal preamps and one or two high quality condenser mics.

Is a tube phono preamp worth it?

Pros of tube phono preamps

Tube phono preamps often have a warmer, more 3-dimensional sound quality to them. Generally, the sound will be sweeter in the mids and highs. This gives a higher sense of detail and dynamic range – almost like you’re in the recording studio while listening to your favorite record!

What 12AX7 tube is best?

10 Best 12AX7 Tubes | Guide and Reviews | 2022
  • JJ ECC83S.
  • JJ ECC803S.
  • Tung-Sol 12AX7.
  • Genalex 12AX7.
  • Mullard 12AX7.
  • Electro-Harmonix 12AX7.
  • Sovtek 12AX7LPS.
  • Svetlana 12AX7.

See some more details on the topic Do preamp tubes make a difference? here:


How big of a difference do preamp tubes make??? – The Gear …

Tubes can change both tone ,the sound of the distortion and onset of distortion (earlier break up vs later). Quite often I’ll fiddle with the V2 …

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Do Preamp Tubes Need to Be Matched? – Geek Musician

Preamp tubes made by different brands and manufacturers sound different. Also, some brands of preamp tubes last longer before they wear out.

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12AX7 – Do different preamp tubes make a sonic … – Reddit

Different preamp tube designs do sound different (especially if pushed to distort), but most 12AX7s have the same design and come from the …

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Do Preamp Tubes Have To Match? What You Must Know

You can hear slight differences in tone when mixing preamp tubes with varying gain levels. For instance, you can replace a Nomad with a TAD 12ax7 for a cleaner …

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When should I change my 12AX7 tube?

Small signal tubes like a 12AX7 or 6922 will work well on average for about 10,000 hours. If you leave your equipment on 24 hours a day, well you do the math: There are 8,760 hours in a year. So when does a tube go bad?

How do preamp tubes affect sound?

Really overdriving a preamp tube and hitting it hard creates richer harmonics, distortion, and sustain. Backing off the gain can give you a shimmery clean sound. You can think of the preamp tubes as the tone shapers of your guitar amp.

Can you mix 12AX7 tubes?

For example, any 12AX7 should be compatible with another 12AX7. With power tubes, you can swap different brands of the same tube. (For example, 6L6 tubes from different manufacturers.) But do not swap different types of power tubes unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing — damage may result.

When should I replace my preamp tubes?

You are not likely to have to replace them unless one or more tubes fail. Preamp tubes can have a life span of at least two to three years and usually much longer. If it’s been a few years or you regularly change your power tubes and feel like the amp has become lifeless, it may be time to freshen up your preamp tubes.

Can you mix preamp tubes?

It is perfectly okay to mix preamp tubes. In fact, it might be recommended in some cases. The reason why some musicians mix and match preamp tubes is because using different tubes can change or improve the tone of your preamp or amp.


Will Changing Vacuum Tubes Change Your Amp’s Sound? (Full Test!)

Will Changing Vacuum Tubes Change Your Amp’s Sound? (Full Test!)
Will Changing Vacuum Tubes Change Your Amp’s Sound? (Full Test!)

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Will Changing Vacuum Tubes Change Your Amp'S Sound?  (Full Test!)
Will Changing Vacuum Tubes Change Your Amp’S Sound? (Full Test!)

How can I make my amp sound better?

Getting a Good Clean Tone
  1. Select your clean channel or turn the gain down if you don’t have multiple channels. …
  2. Turn off all amp effects and effect pedals. …
  3. Bring the bass, mid & treble knobs all to 12 o’clock. …
  4. Keep the gain fairly low and adjust the volume to a suitable level. …
  5. Jam for a while to get a feel for the tone.

How long do preamp tubes last?

Preamp Tubes are generally at their best 2 – 3 years. Power Tubes are generally at their best 1 – 1.5 years. Rectifier Tubes are generally at their best 3 – 5+ years.

Do preamp tubes go bad?

Preamp tubes can go bad at any time and for any reason. There is normally no way to determine how long they will last. Sometimes the heater inside can fail and will no longer glow. This will prevent it from working completely.

Does an expensive preamp make a difference?

Yes. They make the difference between award-winning recordings and good recordings. Of course, the higher the price, the better the shot at the Grammy.

How much do preamps matter?

A well designed preamps has one purpose. To increase the signal gain without changing the frequency response or adding noise. It simply makes the signal louder. If it can do that without adding noise and do it quickly without changing the dynamics you have what you need for most purposes.

Is a DAC a preamp?

As we’ve already discussed, DACs and preamps are two completely different devices with different functionality. A DAC converts digital audio into analog audio. A preamp, on the other hand, boosts a weak audio signal into a strong line-level signal. Preamps don’t have the functionality of a DAC.

Can you use a tube amp as a preamp?

Most tube amplifiers have an input impedance of at least 100K Ohms, so they are compatible with most any tube preamp. Most solid state amps have an input impedance of 50K ohms, so the output impedance of the preamp should be 5,000 ohms or less.

How long do tubes last in stereo amps?

You can expect a conventional amplifier tube to have a service life ranging up to 10,000 hours. Tubes with military specifications are built to last up to 100,000 hours.

What does tube preamp do?

In short, the job of the preamp tube—when used in an actual preamp stage rather than an effects or phase-inverter stage—is to take a low-voltage audio signal that comes into it and ramp that up to a higher-voltage signal that is sent along to the next stage of the amplifier.

What is the highest gain 12AX7?

If you go with new production the JJ ECC83S(12ax7) is the highest gain out of all the new production pre amp tubes. I have actually found that Chinese Shuguangs, and Russian RI, Tung Sol, and RI Mullard tubes to have more gain than the JJ ECC83 which is actually a much darker sounding tube than most CP tubes.


Does Changing The 12AX7 Tubes Make A Difference with In The ART MPA Preamp For Vintage GE Tubes

Does Changing The 12AX7 Tubes Make A Difference with In The ART MPA Preamp For Vintage GE Tubes
Does Changing The 12AX7 Tubes Make A Difference with In The ART MPA Preamp For Vintage GE Tubes

Images related to the topicDoes Changing The 12AX7 Tubes Make A Difference with In The ART MPA Preamp For Vintage GE Tubes

Does Changing The 12Ax7 Tubes Make A Difference With In The Art Mpa Preamp For Vintage Ge Tubes
Does Changing The 12Ax7 Tubes Make A Difference With In The Art Mpa Preamp For Vintage Ge Tubes

Do gold pin tubes make a difference?

AFAIK, there’s no difference between regular and gold pin tubes. As already mentioned before, the pins are only gold plated, but the reason for the gold plating of pins (or any other connector) is to prevent the metal surface to corrode.

What amps use 12AX7 tubes?

The most common preamp tube for tube guitar amplifiers is the 12AX7. They have been in use since 1947 – so the Fender Tweed’s, Vox’s, Supro’s, and many other amps up through the modern Marshall DSL100 amps use 12AX7 preamp tubes.

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