Hovland in the house: Need tube advice

[topround]

I just bought a Hovland HP 100 it uses 2 12ax7's which I am unfamiliar with. I never had any gear with them. Any advice on tubes?
Currently running Tele's which are nice, a little soft and laid back for me, the stock Sovtek 12at7lp's are good, a bit more punch which is nice, but also less refined than the Tele's.
Any advice on what tubes to try?

[bpape]

If you want something a bit more forward, you can try RCA Cleartops.

Bryan

[etcarroll]

I've stopped tube rolling once I got Mullards in both my pre and phono-pre. Heck, I have Teles for both, haven't even tried them yet.

The Mullards get described as "attractive sweet warmth in their midrange and lower regions. The top end is silky and pleasant, without being rolled-off. The best of these tubes retain a fine sense of "air" at the top, and the upper midrange is smooth and liquid. These tubes reproduce the human voice, especially female voices, with haunting realism."

That may be a little over the top, but not by much. I love listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Joni Mitchell now.

[rollo]

I just bought a Hovland HP 100 it uses 2 12ax7's which I am unfamiliar with. I never had any gear with them. Any advice on tubes?
Currently running Tele's which are nice, a little soft and laid back for me, the stock Sovtek 12at7lp's are good, a bit more punch which is nice, but also less refined than the Tele's.
Any advice on what tubes to try?

  How about you leave it the %$^#*! alone for a while. Get used to it first. Leave the sovteks and later try a Tele or Mullard 12AT7 with the Sovteks.. I have one you can have a go with and keep if you like. For now you Nervosa sticken can't sit still man that you are  give it some time.


charles

[tmazz]

I just bought a Hovland HP 100 it uses 2 12ax7's which I am unfamiliar with. I never had any gear with them. Any advice on tubes?
Currently running Tele's which are nice, a little soft and laid back for me, the stock Sovtek 12at7lp's are good, a bit more punch which is nice, but also less refined than the Tele's.
Any advice on what tubes to try?

  For now you Nervosa sticken can't sit still man .......

Doesn't make him a bad person.  (he as a lot of company in this crowd  )

[lonewolfny42]

A nice read....

http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/291/index7.html

[topround]

I am used to it, actually rolled two preamps in as well, the Hovland has a certain charm, a certain naturalness that I have not heard with other gear I have tried.
Nervosa? Nah, I needed a preamp because I had none, I sold mine to buy a Micro Seiki turntable, (best purchase to date)!

If you can't hear the difference between tubes within a day, then you should switch hobbies
When the right combo comes you know it, you don't wait for it to come on its own, you have to make it happen, eventually you will find the right combo.

Ok off to find some Mullards..................


thanks guys

[evan1]

Screw the tubes and just throw in an Oil Choke

[evan1]

A nice read....

http://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/291/index7.html

And look who did the review

[topround]

he had nothing to do with my decision to buy it

[etcarroll]

And don't forget tube dampers.

[topround]

Hey,
those Mullards are expensive

[etcarroll]

Tell me about it. 

In next few days I'll be rolling out the Mullards in my phono pre for some smooth teles, can't make the switch till I finish WyWires audition.

When I do make the switch I have a pair of early sixties Mullards from the Blackburn plant I can lend you, if interested.

[topround]

would love to try them

[rollo]

Hey,
those Mullards are expensive

   Yup, caps and chokes may be the ticket, oh my. I have some RCA cleartops from vintafe Tube Service if you would like to try them. Kidding aside good find Mike. The hovland has a warm character, correct ? If so teles, RCAs or Siemens may liven it up for ya. Enjoy the journey.



charles