Tube replacement on Phaez JTM18

[Falconbill]

To kill time while waiting for my new Phaez (Jackel supposed to be delivered Wednesday), I figure I'd ask a dumb question or two. I've been going through the Phaez threads and noticed some of you guys have been playing around with replacing the preamp and power tubes, saying it makes a big improvement. Two questions:

1. Are the tubes that come with the Phaez amps something gimped in some way? With the obvious care that's taken in building these amps, it's hard to imagine that shitty tubes would be used to save a few dollars.

2. Is this amp a plug and play amp, or do you have to rebias it if you change the tubes. I know you have to stick with the same tube model numbers and that power tubes should be a matched pair. Other than that, is it plug and play with respect to different manufacturers?

Thanks in advance. Oh the wait . . it's the worst part.

[bufbills]

Matched pair and pop em in. EL84s right?

The stock tube are Russian and chinese new production. Amp builders are selling amps, not tubes, so yes, using cheap tubes help keep the initial cost down. Look at it this way, the stock tubes will be fine. They will hold you over until you can research and find some better replacements.

Wednesday huh. Getting close! Youll have a great weekend with your new amp.

Enjoy.

[bufbills]

We were talking tubes in the "big" thread tonight. Last page.

[ANEAS]

Originally Posted by Falconbill

To kill time while waiting for my new Phaez (Jackel supposed to be delivered Wednesday), I figure I'd ask a dumb question or two. I've been going through the Phaez threads and noticed some of you guys have been playing around with replacing the preamp and power tubes, saying it makes a big improvement. Two questions:

1. Are the tubes that come with the Phaez amps something gimped in some way? With the obvious care that's taken in building these amps, it's hard to imagine that shitty tubes would be used to save a few dollars.

2. Is this amp a plug and play amp, or do you have to rebias it if you change the tubes. I know you have to stick with the same tube model numbers and that power tubes should be a matched pair. Other than that, is it plug and play with respect to different manufacturers?

Thanks in advance. Oh the wait . . it's the worst part.

WHEN IT COMES TO TUBES IN PHAEZ AMPS they are of good quality and the amp was voiced using these tubes ....there are more choices of tubes people lake to try to change the tone but the cost of some of these tubes would double the price of the amp,in some cases some players have a large collection of tubes to try .....THE AMP is ready just plug and play and enjoy.....JIM

[jw3571]

Can you spec whatever tubes you want with Randy? It doesn't make sense that you buy a custom amp and then have to change out the tubes.

[alexb17]

Originally Posted by jw3571

Can you spec whatever tubes you want with Randy? It doesn't make sense that you buy a custom amp and then have to change out the tubes.

IDK of Randy does that. He's in the amp building business not the tube business. Plenty of multi thousand dollar amps come with chinese tubes. changing tubes is just a part of life. Kinda like changing guitar strings. I'm always swapping tubes in and out. They can have a big impact on tone and everybody had their preferences. The ones that come stock sound great though. I wouldn't worry. My sibly came with JJs. I think they are a great production tube.

[Chop'emDown]

My Jackal sounded great with the stock glass. I just like the sound of some older glass better.

I happen to have a bunch of tubes and I like swapping them from time to time.

[redking]

both of my Phaezs sounded great with the stock tubes, but an upgrade made them that much better.

[GP_Hawk]

My DC 14W woody still has the same tubes that came with it. Love the sound of that amp. Although now after so many years I'm thinking a pair of 6BQ5/EL84 Early Amperex Bugleboys

[onioner]

Originally Posted by jw3571

Can you spec whatever tubes you want with Randy? It doesn't make sense that you buy a custom amp and then have to change out the tubes.

Doesn't it? Seems like that's the case with nearly every amp builder. As mentioned, they're not in the tube selling business. That's a whole 'nother ballgame, and one that takes time, and a pretty hefty investment. Stock tubes are fine. They're tubes, and they'll work, and the amp will sound great. Want it to sound even better? Start rollin' tubes.

And you can always do what I've done, and then get it without tubes. I just saw no point in having Randy put tubes in the Orion. I'll probably get tubes w/ the next one, but just 'cause I could use some more backups...

[Deftone]

My new Phaez is coming w/o tubes. Randy Recommended JJ's. I've always liked them.

I use some vintage 12AT7 or 12AU7's in my DC and I think I still have the Chinese EL84's in my DC.

[bufbills]

Originally Posted by Deftone

My new Phaez is coming w/o tubes. Randy Recommended JJ's. I've always liked them.

I use some vintage 12AT7 or 12AU7's in my DC and I think I still have the Chinese EL84's in my DC.

I also order without tubes. Im a tube roller, and enjoy the process of finding the perfect combination for my ears.

[wrc73]

I changed the stock tubes out in my JTM 18 pretty quickly, and to be fair, I didn't give the stock tubes much of a chance. I have JJ's in it right now and it sounds great. I do plan to try some NOS tubes in the future. That being said, I am sure that the stock tubes are good quality, I'm just not a big fan of the 12AX7B preamp tubes, they are just a little to sharp on the top end for me. I like a little warmer preamp tube, but that is just my personal preference, YMMV.

[kingedb]

I held off swapping tubes for a long time because my Phaez's were great as is. Then I contacted John and he hooked me up with a batch.

I've yet to roll many, but the difference in just a couple I installed was nice. It's all personal preference. And it's all a balancing act. In my case the 6L6 and a couple preamp tubes I tried smoothened/fatten out the top end bite. Not necessary, but pleasing to my ears.

Since I've had a lot of time with this setup I was thinking of tossing the stock tubes back in and see what I think about the difference going back. Just to hear if my initial impressions were correct. The problem is I LOVE the tone. I'm in no rush to mess with anything.

EDIT: Sorry man I didn't realize your question was specific to a JTM. My MLP/35 (JTM) is stock right now. I swapped a few in my DC only, so far.

[coldengray]

Swapping tubes is like swapping speakers - not necessary but fun to dial in different sounds.

[Falconbill]

Good info. Thanks for the responses, guys.

[ANEAS]

Originally Posted by Falconbill

Good info. Thanks for the responses, guys.

There have been some who got their amp with no tubes because they have tubes they prefer to use ..I would get the stock tubes in ready to play and if you want later on up grade but this can be costly ....your choice ...JIM

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by Deftone

I use some vintage 12AT7 or 12AU7's in my DC and I think I still have the Chinese EL84's in my DC.

Good gawd....do you know what this means? I get some NOS EL84's and my DC could sound even better?

[onioner]

FWIW, my favorite preamp tubes for the DC have been the JJs. I haven't tried that many though, no more than ten. But, of the ones I've tried, I did prefer the JJs. *Shrug* Only time I've preferred a new production tube.

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by onioner

FWIW, my favorite preamp tubes for the DC have been the JJs. I haven't tried that many though, no more than ten. But, of the ones I've tried, I did prefer the JJs. *Shrug* Only time I've preferred a new production tube.

I like JJ's and Randy reccomends them. How about the EL-84's? JJ's as well?

[onioner]

Originally Posted by Deftone

I like JJ's and Randy reccomends them. How about the EL-84's? JJ's as well?

I haven't tried anything else yet. I'd like to, and I will. Just got to earmark the funds...

[dennq]

Originally Posted by Falconbill

To kill time while waiting for my new Phaez (Jackel supposed to be delivered Wednesday), I figure I'd ask a dumb question or two. I've been going through the Phaez threads and noticed some of you guys have been playing around with replacing the preamp and power tubes, saying it makes a big improvement. Two questions:

1. Are the tubes that come with the Phaez amps something gimped in some way? With the obvious care that's taken in building these amps, it's hard to imagine that shitty tubes would be used to save a few dollars.

2. Is this amp a plug and play amp, or do you have to rebias it if you change the tubes. I know you have to stick with the same tube model numbers and that power tubes should be a matched pair. Other than that, is it plug and play with respect to different manufacturers?


Thanks in advance. Oh the wait . . it's the worst part.

I am lucky as I have the luxury of picking my amps up at Randy's place so when I drop off the deposit I have my tubes with me at this time.

This way my tubes are in the amp when I pick it up.

I guess you could ask if your amp be delivered without tubes as long as the power tubes are cathode biased like my Daisycutter.

My Dragonfly has a fixed bias but I have a Bias King so that made things easy there.

Don't matter on the preamp tubes just plug and play.

[singlecut]

well i just tonight swapped out the vintage mullards on the lightning side of my new amp for sovtek's
sovteks win
who da thunk it.
hands down

they have been in a drawer for 5 years

[Chop'emDown]

Originally Posted by singlecut

well i just tonight swapped out the vintage mullards on the lightning side of my new amp for sovtek's
sovteks win
who da thunk it.
hands down

they have been in a drawer for 5 years

I have a couple of Sovtek 7025/12AX7WA tubes that sound incredible. I had to pick through about 10 to get the two I've got but they are GREAT sounding preamp tubes.

[GP_Hawk]

Originally Posted by singlecut

well i just tonight swapped out the vintage mullards on the lightning side of my new amp for sovtek's
sovteks win
who da thunk it.
hands down

they have been in a drawer for 5 years

But still, the mullards might win another night, looking for a sound ya know

[bufbills]

Originally Posted by GP_Hawk

But still, the mullards might win another night, looking for a sound ya know

Yep. I go back and forth between tubes a lot.

[Falconbill]

Originally Posted by ANEAS

There have been some who got their amp with no tubes because they have tubes they prefer to use ..I would get the stock tubes in ready to play and if you want later on up grade but this can be costly ....your choice ...JIM

Jim, I PM'ed you with a question.

[ANEAS]

Originally Posted by Falconbill

Jim, I PM'ed you with a question.

JUST checked it >>>JIM

[Grand Pappy]

I put all new JJ's (power and preamp)in my DC since I got it. IMHO JJ's are reliable, reasonably priced tubes and I like their tone

[bufbills]

I always end up back at Amperex for my power tubes