Quote:
Originally Posted by clintj
...It's either a better build of tube...or it's a tube that passed a screening process for gain and microphonics to weed out less desirable tubes...
|
Haven't used Groove Tubes in years, but there are
very definite tonal differences between different 12AX7 tube types depending on internal construction, date of manufacture, country of origin, etc. - all of which a savvy player can use to custom-tailor his/her tone. The last published catalog shows no less than a half-dozen 12AX7 tube types, each with its own characteristics, and while none of them are designated "Premium" they do show a more expensive version with matched triodes (
highly recommended as a driver/PI tube IME, or in all your preamp stages if you're looking for a smoother/tighter, more-even/more-controllable tone); here's a copy of their 2012 catalog for reference:
http://wpc.077D.edgecastcdn.net/0007...List_Final.pdf