Hi gang
There's a lot of discussion overseas about replacing stock 12AT7 tubes that come in most compressor/preamps with other types.
Firstly, is there a problem with the 12AT7 tubes that come with these units?
Secondly, is there a real difference with the tone/quality of recording that can be gained by replacing stock tubes with other brands (eg; NOS Mullard Tubes whatever they are).
And finally, where in Australia (Melbourne, specifically) can we purchase either replacement tubes for when stock ones die or different tubes to try out?

I'm not an electronics buff, but I'm interested in the possibility of trying different things out.
There seems to be a huge overseas market for valves but not much locally.

Any thoughts from experienced re-tubers on this list will be read with much interest!

Thanks
Dags

Ahh............a question about valves!

Dags, if the valves that came with the unit sound good..........they are good and will probably last as long as any other valve.
'Tube Rolling', as it is commonly know, can often confuse and become an expensive habit/pastime.

Some may sound warmer, duller, brighter, etc ........while others may sound similar to your existing ones.
A lot depends on the circuitry deployed as well.

NOS can be a bit pricey but you may know someone you can borrow different ones from to at least know how they sound different.

Anyway, there are a few good suppliers in Australia and plenty in the US.

http://www.lucasmilesaudio.com.au/

http://www.retrosound.com.au/

http://www.evatco.com.au/

http://www.triodeelectronics.com/

http://www.tubesandmore.com/

Thanks LogicprObe

I was looking at getting an ART pro vla II unit and been reading on some music forums that nearly everybody who owns one have indicated that they replaced the stock tubes to make the unit sound "better" [yes, a very subjective statement!]
Different tubes gave the unit a 'warmer' bottom end with less 'brittle' tones, or something like that.

I would have thought that some R&D would have gone into designing the unit so that the readily available cheaper 12AT7 or 12AX7 tubes would be sufficient for the job so that users can just plug & play & enjoy without worrying about all that additional tech-tweaking that uber engineers love doing

Thanks for the links as well. I'll almost certainly need to look at replacements at some stage should I purchase one of these units.

Dags

Let me know if you get one..........I can send you some NOS tubes to try..........it just takes a while to dig them out!

edit - you might actually like the stock ones.............some people are just tube snobs.

LOL!
Yes, I'm kind of getting that idea

And thank you very much for the offer!
If I can raise the $ to get the unit and I have the time to experiment with how tubes affect the signal (if I can get time away from baby duties)
I'll be in touch.

Very generous, matey!

Dags

I've been cleaning out the drawers under my work bench.........this rainy long weekend...........and have found that in 12AT7,
I have GE, Sovtek and Sylvania..........there would be others in the dungeon but that's a big sort out worthy of at least a rainy Easter weekend!

Hey Dags,

Just the other day I was thinking of putting my ART on eBay. I have never really used it since I got it, not that I dislike it, I just haven't needed the extra Pre's.

It's all working perfectly apart from one of the VU meter back-lights... but I will probably fix that before selling. If you are interested, let me know and we can sort something out!

Tube snobs. Lol. If it aint broke....

How did you go Dags with your purchase of Matts, ART PRO VLA II???

I own one too and changing the tubes on it until they need changing I don't think will alter the sound too much. They are an excellent unit, hey Matt are you talking about the compressor or the preamp??

If Matt's talking about the preamp Dags and you want the compressor I'd be interested in selling you mine, I've hardly used it and now I have a much better TL Audio A2 it just sits in the rack. I can do you mine for a $150 plus postage and handling. If Matt is selling a VLA II go with him, I don't want to cut his grass so to speak. Just PM me.

Peace Ben

Hey guys

Had to put the idea of purchasing new gear on hold for the moment.
Bloody car needs a service and so has $ priority over everything else...there goes the $400 I had saved up towards buying something fun