Tung-Sol 12AX7 (ECC83) Preamp Vacuum Tube
From our review of this tube: "There are only so many ways to describe vacuum tube tone and most have become cliches. The Tung Sol 12AX7 preamp tube 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
Excellent!
by JIm -
I installed a Tungsol in position V1 in my Mono 15 W combo. I have JJs in V2 and V3. I like Tungsol better than JJ in V1. It has more clarity and definition. To my ears, it's brighter and with distortion the sound is better defined in high mids and treble.The amp sounds better with Tungsol. It is not day and night, but it is certainly better. Thanks to Jon for his help and expertise and quick delivery.
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J'ai installé un Tungsol en position V1 dans mon combo Mono 15 W. J'ai des JJs en V2 et V3. J'aime mieux le Tungsol que le JJ en V1. Il a plus de clarté et de définition. À mes oreilles, c'est plus brillant et avec de la distorsion le son est mieux défini dans les high mids et le treble. L' ampli sonne mieux avec Tungsol. Ce n'est pas le jour et la nuit, mais c'est certainement mieux. Merci à Jon pour son aide et son expertise et la livraison rapide.
Well worth trying these Tung-sol tubes.
by John
installed these in my old 70's Garnet amp and they brought it back to life. Really tamed the highs and mids with more clearer bottom-end crunch when digging in. Have them paired with 2 Mullard EL84's and a 12" Celestion Vintage 30 speaker....great setup.
Bluesbreaker RI use
by R.M.
I just retubed my mid-90's Marshall Bluesbreaker RI and replaced the EH 12AX7's that I previously used with these new Tung-Sols. Great sounding tubes. Smooth but with the right amount of bite when the amp is cranked. I liked the EH's but the Tung-Sols are an improvement. I think they may be as good as the NOS JAN's I had in the amp years ago - but that was long enough ago that my memory can't be completely trusted.
Nice tubes
by Bruce -
Retubed my Hiwatt DR504. Had the EH glass an amp tech installed when I had it recapped about ten years ago. One of them was acting up so I replaced all four along with both EL34’s. I was stunned. Beautiful sound. Never stepped on a pedal. Just played that old Britt amp clean. Very nice tubes
NOT SUITABLE WITH ALL AMPS
by CHRIS55
Having Sovtek 12ax7WA, 12AX7WXT, 12AX7LPS, and Chinese Golden Dragon (Shuguang) to test this tube have the more hard and metallic sound. Probably not suit with my hifi amp (audio innovation s-500)