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12ax7 tube recommendations for Croft Phono Integrated

Hi everyone,

Was hoping that some of you tube gurus could give me some suggestions for 12ax7 tubes for my Croft Phono Integrated. It uses two in the phono section and one in the preamp section. Open to anything - NOS, new, expensive :). Looking for a nice liquid, somewhat tubey sound. Source is a VPI Traveler with Clearaudio Maestro Ebony 2 cart and Reynaud Bliss Silver speakers.

Thanks! Scott
smrex13
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Thanks for the recommendation on VTS.  His website is very informative- will give him a call.

Best, Scott
marco1's avatar
marco1
124 posts
 
Check on Matsushita 12ax7 from VTS.  I just got them from Andy for my Conrad Johnson Phono.  Wonderful tubes.  Japanese Mullards at a fraction the cost.
musicgene
11 posts
 
I upgraded the pair of 12ax7s that came with the 7R amp with NOS Mullards and the improvement was very dramatic. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
Vintage Mullards if you like warm rolled-off sound.
Vintage Telefunkens if you want a clean, detailed, airy, neutral sound.
New Shuguang LS Black from Grant Fidelity for Telefunken-like sound with even lower noise floor and more detail.

noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
You can also try GE triple mica black plates 5751 for a very detailed sweet sound and lower gain. Not great depth but a lovely black background.

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