This one was a surprise. It was also in the box, but I'd never believe this was an ECC83 if it wasn't printed on. Too bad the print's got worse since I got the tube (I apologize to all the purists). The plates have single flanges, making them look asymmetrical. The Brimar has the nicest rhythm sound, tight and it doesn't suffer from being hollowish (like the Sovteks). The clean sound is rich and clear. The lead sounds rich, colorful and almost 3D, and yes, it has that nasal sound again. The only thing that the Brimar lacks is enough gain when playing thrash-like staccato power chords. This could be a matter of age. I've ordered two Brimar NOS 12AX7s, and will check if they provide more gain. If that's not the case, then trying this tube in the second hole with another tube with a higher gain (like the Valvo) in the first position could solve this problem (I had already tried this tube in the second position, with a Sovtek 12AX7LPS in the gain hole. This combination sounded as colorful as the Brimar in the first position with a Chinese tube in the second). If that fails too, then using some extra gain (like a, preferably tube-driven, overdrive pedal) might provide enough crunch for playing those power riffs.
3/16/08
Brimar ECC83
Valvo ECC83
The Valvo was in the box too, and this one sounds a lot better. It provides a lot of gain, even more than the Sovteks. This tube also has a pleasing nasal sound when playing lead, but sounds better than the Sovteks when playing rhythm. It lacks some character, but doesn't sound mushy. The extra gain is especially significant when playing clean. I had to turn the volume on my guitar down to get a clean sound, which sounded good.
Information from http://www.fbk.eur.nl/BIT/MHM/gear/preamptubes.html
Philips Miniwatt ECC83
A friend of mine gave me a box full of tubes, including the Philips. All tubes were used, and this one didn't seem 100% anymore. It didn't provide enough gain. However, the tube tester indicated that this tube is alright. A second listening test made clear that this tube is more than OK. I didn't like this one in the gain hole 'though. Too many non-pleasing highs.
Audio-Voice 12AT7A
I bought this one because it has a lower mu than a 12AX7 (60 as opposed to 80-100), to tr
y it in the reverb follower or the phase inverter section, but it's also nice to try it in the gain hole. It left me with the same impression that the Chinese 12AX7A made: too direct and glassy but with less gain. Even the clean sounds weren't very pleasing.
Information from http://www.fbk.eur.nl/BIT/MHM/gear/preamptubes.html
