Preamp tube battle Clips NOS vs JJ - Which do you prefer?

[dogears]

Hi guys,

remixes with vocal plate reverb

Clip 1 Plate Verb JJ http://www.scottlernermusic.com/SOD/Cit ... tubesB.mp3

Clip 2 Plate Verb Siemans/Mullard http://www.scottlernermusic.com/SOD/Cit ... tubesB.mp3

Here are two clips over Pickmaster's tune City Lights....

First clip is JJ ECC83S tubes in V1 and V2. These are measured and are in the 110 range for gain. Then I installed a Siemans NOS longplate in V1 and a Mullard in V2. Both measured between 106 and 110 on the gain on all triodes. I changed nothing else. Same mixes for the most part (I may have botched the level by a db on the solos). Same delay and verb. I suppose the amp could be tweaked to optimize the tone to each type of tube, but for this test all was left the same.

Clip 1 JJ http://www.scottlernermusic.com/SOD/Cit ... Jtubes.mp3

Clip 2 Siemans/Mullard http://www.scottlernermusic.com/SOD/Cit ... Stubes.mp3

Amp is the Glaswerks SODII on 80s RF voice. G1265. Recorded dry. I used a RoyerR121 and an SM57 blended.

Quite the difference in tone no? Which do you all prefer?

[dcribbs1412]

both clips sound good
barring the db level of the lead in clip 2 I like it better...softer,smooth bite
clip 1 is more of a glassy bite
I use mullards and amperex and like better than JJ

IMNSPHO (in my not so professional honest opinion)

[mlp-mx6]

Which do I like better? The NOS tubes.

Which sounds more like Robben's amp? The JJs.

[bluesfendermanblues]

Which sounds best one killer recording by Scott or another killer recording

They both sound great.

The first is a little more RF, but a little too fuzzy in the bass register.
The second is also great but especially bell like in the higher register and not fuzzy at all in the low register.

[glasman]

My ears prefer the NOS. Smoother, rounded top end.

But both are good.

Try some JJ's in the 95 to 100 range. I have been having good luck with them.

Gary

[stelligan]

clip 2 sounds a little less "stuffy" - more highs and more open or neutral upper mids. Being louder may help clip 2 stand out. You get what you pay for, eh? Playing sounds like Scott. A high order compliment.

[Zippy]

The first is a little more RF, but a little too fuzzy in the bass register. The second is also great but especially bell like in the higher register and not fuzzy at all in the low register.

I agree. I didn't expect to hear much difference but clearly prefer the NOS clip. "Fuzzy" is exactly what came to mind of first listen.

[butwhatif]

NOS by a mile

[d95err]

It would have been more interesting if you had told us later what recording was NOS and what was JJ. It's difficult to be unbiased when listening now.

[talbany]

With respect to Scott's clips..In my extensive experiments with newer tubes such as the JJ's vs. older Mullards, Funkins,Amphrex.
The JJ's seem to have a more constant tone tube after tube.... For this reason us manufactures love em.. NOS and especially pulls or used older tubes might not sound so good..say 1 out of 5 so they are kind of all over the place as far as consistency..
I've had many Telefunkin's/Mullards sound lousy.. Especially in a Dumble type topology where the 1st tubes (Clean channel) tone is amplified 1000 times in OD so also factor in how each tubes tone harmonic content etc.. interacts with the next.. In OD 2 tubes that have a more consistent tone with respect to each other will to my ears will produce a more focused tone with added sustain.. So just because it's an older grail labeled tube doesn't always translate to great tone in this topology.. In a Fender where that tube alone feeds the PI is different..The nature of cathode biasing..Something to keep in mind..

Tony

[mlp-mx6]

It's difficult to be unbiased when listening now.

Not for me. The tonal difference was super easy to pick out. Not subtle at all.

[Tonegeek]

no contest. the NOS sounds more alive, more harmonically rich. The JJ clip was flat to me. What would interest me is if the amp could be tweaked to the JJ's. Then redo the test. I would bet against it... I have spent hours and hours tweaking with new tubes, only to start swapping with some old tubes and have the amp come alive. I have yet to understand why someone can't make 'em like they used to.

[talbany]

no contest. the NOS sounds more alive, more harmonically rich. The JJ clip was flat to me. What would interest me is if the amp could be tweaked to the JJ's. Then redo the test. I would bet against it... I have spent hours and hours tweaking with new tubes, only to start swapping with some old tubes and have the amp come alive. I have yet to understand why someone can't make 'em like they used to.

That's interesting..I think the JJ sounds more alive and the NOS flat.. especially in person.. Go figure..NOS are smoother,,I like JJs

Tony

[d95err]

It's difficult to be unbiased when listening now.

Not for me. The tonal difference was super easy to pick out. Not subtle at all.

The difference is there, certainly. But it would have been more interesting to hear peoples opinions and descriptions of the tones without knowing which was which.

[Blindog]

That's interesting..I think the JJ sounds more alive and the NOS flat.. especially in person.. Go figure..NOS are smoother,,I like JJs

Tony

Yeah, me too. I listened to 'em several times, seemed like the hotter clip was messing with my brain

Mark