Electro-Harmonix New Sensor 12AX7 Mullard Tubes - Anybody tried these yet???

[Shonsteez]

Just had an opportunity to finally officially track real voice talent through the MPA and I was actually blown away by the improvements that just a tube swap made!
The noise floor certainly got lowered which is a plus and the tone in general is much much smoother in character in comparison to the chinese tubes....Def a serious improvement from the old signal path.
If anyone else cops an MPA, id highly reccomend making a tube swap as i did, its not worlds of a difference but its a HUGE improvement.

 

[Formant024]

^^^ now think about replacing the capacitors hehe

 

[Shonsteez]

Haha! No doubt....Honestly tho, im not electronics wiz....I wouldnt even know where to start. I need big pictures and step-by-step directions haha!
But i would be up for the challenge in that respect!....
I downloaded and read that pdf about the MPA mod but it was all just text, i need some kind of visual reference.

 

[Formant024]

http://home.att.net/~crazydoc/ART_Tube_MP_Modification.pdf

This pdf ? As this has very nice shot of the mod locations on the PCB, including a partslist and where to order! And it does seem all the basic mods to beef this pre-amp, but its an MP

They have topic on the mpa on gearsluts
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/geekslutz-forum/194580-art-mpa-gold-mods.html

 

[Shonsteez]

Naw it wasnt that one, it was the one dedicated to specifically moding the MPA, but this ones impressive - i wish there was one like it for the MPA.

Im not sure if these directions would entirely apply since the MP is a starved plate pre and the MPA is not.

 

[Formant024]

the bottom link is for the mpa

 

[Shonsteez]

Yeah i read through that thread a few times already but i re-read it again just in case i missed something.....the thread basically ends abruptly with dude coming to the realization that hes just going to stick to changing out the tubes only instead of the op-amps....

 

[Formant024]

yeah hehe, though the dude's a noob (check the tube choice) and due to the other diy projects he was running. I personally would be very thorough on a mod like this which basicaly starts with using other trafo's in the first place, definitly change caps to SO-NOM and as with the MP mod cut out a few caps aswell, change pots and tubes of course...why not build one yourself instead of modding hehe. I do think it would make a difference when just going for any of these mods but you'd need good ears to define the changes and I personaly am not a mic's specialist, i can notice noise floor altering but different coloring...i got a dude who is way better in telling the difference when it comes to mics so im not going to bother.

Alternativly, check out some old siemens on ebay, I'll make some pics of our vintage pre amp modules when i get there as i forgot which types we bought ( and modified ). They can be had reasonably cheap ($200/$300).

 

[Shonsteez]

Word, i was peepin those tubes out after I read dude talkin about them on gearslutz....
Right now i think im just gonna work with my new mullards that i put in since theyre sounding pretty good now that i got them in, but im certainly going to be looking into copping some alternative tubes for the future fa sho.....

I usually dont track stereo sources through the MPA minus acoustic guitar anyways, so what i was contimplating doing was once i cop some other tubes, maybe swap out one channel with a different one and then i'll have the choice of 2 different sonic textures rather then just one ya kno?

So like, Pre1 could be the Siemens or some shit, and then Pre2 could be the Mullard.....Might be kinda cool having 2 diff ones.

 

[The Arkitekt]

I hate gear talk lol, my broke ass only has an axiom 61.

Sounds like a good idea Steez, having the two tube options on there

 

[Formant024]

Word, i was peepin those tubes out after I read dude talkin about them on gearslutz....
Right now i think im just gonna work with my new mullards that i put in since theyre sounding pretty good now that i got them in, but im certainly going to be looking into copping some alternative tubes for the future fa sho.....

I usually dont track stereo sources through the MPA minus acoustic guitar anyways, so what i was contimplating doing was once i cop some other tubes, maybe swap out one channel with a different one and then i'll have the choice of 2 different sonic textures rather then just one ya kno?

So like, Pre1 could be the Siemens or some shit, and then Pre2 could be the Mullard.....Might be kinda cool having 2 diff ones.

good observation!

@Artikekt: this stuff isnt that expensive! But this is an expensive hobby lol

 

[Shonsteez]

I hate gear talk lol, my broke ass only has an axiom 61.

Sounds like a good idea Steez, having the two tube options on there

Dude i feel u tho! Baby steps man, baby steps....You just keep slowly accumulating the stuff u need. The problem is the list never ends. Its a labour of love really, but well worth it.

 

[Formant024]

nope, its not going to end! Never-Ever! The studio is never done !