Tung-Sol 12AX7 (ECC83)
From our review of this tube: "There are only so many ways to describe tube tone and most have become cliches. The Tung Sol 12AX7 has the gain and drive of a Chinese 12AX7 and the pure tone of a Mullard or Brimar."
According to the manufacturer, this Tungsol 12AX7 is the Ultimate 12AX7. Big, warm, and musical. High Gain, ultra-low microphonics, and superb linearity with a dynamic 3-D sound.
One other note about the construction of these audio tubes is they have filaments that are almost completely encased in the plate structure. They don't "light up" brightly when working properly.
Note to audiophiles: These tubes are great for linestage preamps, but generally not phono stages where a very low noise floor is required.
Other Tung-Sol tubes 
12AX7 TypesAdditional Information and Downloads
Reviews:
12AX7 Tube Review
Tube Matching Information:
Matched Sections Service
Downloads:
Tung-Sol 12AX7 Datasheet (PDF)
Download Adobe Acrobat PDF reader
Warranty Information and Return Policy
Warranty Period: 3 monthsAll our tubes are guaranteed for 3 months from the date of purchase. (Any exceptions will be noted on that tube's Warranty tab)
If you receive a tube that does not perform to the manufacturer's specifications, please do the following:
- contact us to get a return authorization
- return it via regular mail within 90 days from when we shipped it, and we will provide an exchange or refund of the full purchase price of the tube.
Returns not related to warranty or defect will be considered at our discretion, and are subject to a 15% restocking fee.
We can not accept returns that don't have an authorization, are past 3 month, or are returned improperly.
These guidelines may be updated without notice.
Ratings & Reviews
41 reviews
tung sol 12ax7
by michael
I had Groove Tubes in a used Fender Pro Reverb I just purchased. The gain channel was brittle so I tried Electro Harmonix 12AY7's in V1 and V2 with a Preferred Series 7025 in V3. Sounded Alright. I then installed Tung-sol 12AX7's and the increase in tight gain and glassy cleans is remarkable. Great tube for the money.
Very good
by Sid
I replaced a set of Electro Harmonix 12AX7-EH tubes with these. While I did like the EH's (would give them a 3.5 to 4 out of 5 because of the value) I feel the Tung-Sol 12AX7 tubes are just a bit better both in terms of warmth and more musical. With these in the preamp of my DRRI and the Tung-sol 6V6GT tubes in the power amp, my amp can really sing once warmed up. I will give 4.5 stars as I have never tried NOS tubes so can't really compare. Either way this is a rock solid excellent performing tube. Very inspiring.
Tungsol 12AX7 - Smooth not harsh
by Lex
These are great tubes. I use them in both my amps now. Great smooth tone, nice shimmer and responsive. Way better than anything else I have tried, especially when you push the amp hard. I have a Tonemaster 214 and a Fender '65 Princeton Reverb, they sound way nicer than the stock tubes. I prefer these to JJs too, not as harsh, a lot smoother. I would recommend them to anyone looking for something better than stock tubes.
It's a winner!
by Bill
These are a very good value. Well made, solid sound. These are a good upgrade if you Amp shipped with China tubes. Most everything I've tried these in from amps to pedals responded well.
great tone
by Daniel
Replaced my old JJ ECC83-S in the V1 with the Tungsol 12AX7. I could tell the gain wasn't as compressed as the JJ but didn't have as strong of a bottom end as the JJ. Good gain, sweeter top end. A good choice!