Tubes for MG HEAD DT OTL MKIII

[tjolson81]

Hello guys,

I've recently purchased the above amp, and a pair of HD600 cans. This is my first attempt at the headphone amp setup, and I'm not sure if I'm feeling it. I miss the emotion of my 2 channel speaker set-up, and am hoping a little tweaking will get my new headphone rig to par. Right now I have pretty good clarity and detail, but the warmth of the tubes is not there. I'm using the stock tubes, can somebody suggest some aftermarket tubes that might make my ears happier? Thanks so much, -Todd

ps, I've tried it in both output modes, feel the same about both

Here's a link for the amp for anyone who isn't familiar with the amp

http://www.divertech.com/aslmgheaddt.html

 

[Kirosia]

http://www.nickdangerous.com/misc/mghead/

Nice tube guide from one of our own. I've had the head before, and I agree with his findings.

 

[go_vtec]

Try RCA cleartop 12AX7. It will mellow out the midrange yet keep the bass strong.

 

[OceanEnthusiast]

i have the same amp. i use telefunken 12AX7's on mine with good results.

 

[tjolson81]

Does anyone else have experience with Raytheon. It looks like the triple mica sylvanias are a hot item right now, kind of hard to find.

 

[oldears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjolson81 Hello guys, Right now I have pretty good clarity and detail, but the warmth of the tubes is not there. I'm using the stock tubes, can somebody suggest some aftermarket tubes that might make my ears happier? Thanks so much, -Todd

If you are looking for "warmth", try NOS Mullard, Tung-sol, or RCA (blackplates).
The older, the better.

 

[volnhar]

Most of these are good and at the moment I seem to be favouring the Amperex 7025.

NOS Amperex 7025 current favourite
NOS Mullard ECC83 very good
NOS Telefunken 12AX7 very good
NOS RCA 5751 good
Siemens ECC83 good

I'm currently using EI EL84M's, but I do also have some RCA 7189's, Ruby 6P14P's as well.

I do like the RCA's but I don't find changing these tubes has as much impact on the sound as does the 12AX7.

I do have the stock tubes as well they don't get too much use really but the 12AX7LPS is not bad either.

My MG-Head has had a few upgrades to the powersupply and other internals as well, these really helped the sound and also seems to make a bigger difference when changing tubes.

I do want to try more 5751's and maybe get hold of some better EL84's maybe Mullards or Telefunkens.