EarMax Tubes - Can they be "Upgraded" ???

[maddogmcq]

Hi all,
Just got a second-hand Earmax Tube Amp and wonder if there's an upgrade path when replacing the tubes?

If there is (or even if there isn't), does the replacement of tubes involve anything else? I've heard people speak of bias adjustment and such like when fitting new tubes.

Would someone be kind enough to fill me in the the DO's & DON'T's?

Many thanks,

Tom (UK).

 

[Spent&Bent]

Yes you can tube roll the earmax, and it's auto-biasing so you don't need to do anything else just replace the tubes.
Be sure to get the right tubes or those that are known to be compatible with them.
I don't have the standard earmax (I have the pro) but I can tell for certain that tuberolling the earmax with good quality NOS tubes from the likes of Amperex, Valvo, Siemens, Telefunken etc. will transform the amp to something much better, it's very much worth it.

A little warning though: the best tubes can cost as much as the amp itself from web based dealers, ebay can be much cheaper but you will need to study a bit more to avoid buying duds.

 

[Anders]

If you do a search on Head-Fi, you will find a lot of tube suggestions for Earmax Pro (search terms as Earmax and tuberolling). If you have the Earmax without Pro, I think only one of the tubes is the same, ECC81.

 

[maddogmcq]

Thanks Guyz!
My Earmax is the NON pro model. Glad to hear that its auto-biasing!! Just need to know some tube model-numbers to go for now.

Dammit!! I have to go play my Diana Krall albums now, after seeing her picture

Tom

 

[Spent&Bent]

Anders is right, only the ECC81 is common to both the earmax and earmax pro.
the other two tubes are ECC86 (in the case of the standard earmax) or ECC88 (pro)

Welcome to head-fi btw, we are all sorry for your wallet

 

[cpw]

You might PM JaZZ as he's very familiar w/ these amps and probably has some recommendations that would allow you to benefit from his experience.
CPW

 

[maddogmcq]

Thanx for that - I will.