12AX7 / ECC83 / 5751
The 12AX7 is one of the most widely used double triodes in audio circuits. There are several variations of the 12AX7. In most cases, they can all substitute for each other. See chart below for all the variations.
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Type
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Description
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12AX7
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This is the original version of this tube. The earliest ones were all made in the USA by the usual manufacturers like RCA, Sylvania, GE and Tung Sol. Very early ones have rater large size plates. The "plain" version without the "A" suffix can only be used in parallel filament circuits, not series. This usually isn't a problem as series circuits are only normally found in TV sets. All of the tubes will have odd voltages other than 6 and 12. If all of the tubes in your set start with 6 or 12 (except for the 5 V rectifier) , then it is a parallel circuit
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12AX7A
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This later version can be used in series or parallel filament circuits. Many manufacturers produced plain 12AX7's well into the 60's and 70's, but I believe these are 12AX7A's marked 12AX7.
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7025
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This is the "hi fi" low noise version of the 12AX7. All other specifications are the same as 12AX7. Tubes marked with 12AX7 and 7025 both should be low noise, too.
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ECC83
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This is the European equivalent to 12AX7 |
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ECC803, ECC803S E83CC
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This is the "premium" version of the European 12AX7. The "S" on the ECC803S means "select" version. These are usually found on Telefunken brand tubes only.
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5751
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This is the "milspec" version of the 12AX7, but is also slightly different. The 5751 has the same plate resistance as the 12AX7, but the gain factor is only 70 compared to 100 for the 12AX7. The 12AT7 also has a gain factor of 70, but since the plate resistance is different, the 5751 is closer to the 12AX7. The older "real" 5751's have extra thick mica spacers and extra support rods to minimize microphonic response. 5751's also have matched triode units. Late versions produced by Philips/ECG don't have the extra support and don't perform as well as the older 5751's.
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12AD7 |
This is a special non-microphonic and low hum version of the 12AX7 that was produced only by Sylvania. This should make an excellent replacement for any audio application that uses the 12AX7 in the circuit. It isn't very well known because they were only made for a few short years as it was never designed into circuits by manufacturers. |
| 12DT7, 12DM7, 12DF7 | These are special low noise and microphonic versions of the 12AX7. Most are either Westinghouse (12DF7) or Raytheon 12DT7, 12DM7). |
| 7729 | Premium CBS Industrial tube with gold pins These were used in special critical applications which require reliable performance with low noise and microphonics. They're very rare. |
| 6681 | Mobile version of the standard 12AX7. These are usually standard 12AX7's which have been specially tested to assure they will perform well in circuits with +/- 20% variation in filament voltage. Prices are the same as 12AX7 |
| 7058 | Same as 12AX7 except for a 13.5 volt non-tapped filament. These can be used in circuits which don't use the 6.3V filament tap. Performance should be identical to any equivalent 12AX7. |
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12AX7 / ECC83 Sylvania High Mu Twin Triode Audio Tube (Pull)
$51.91 -
12AX7 / 6681 Sylvania High Mu Twin Triode Audio Tube (NOS)
$99.91 -
ECC83 /12AX7 Fisher High Mu Twin Triode Audio Tube (Pull)
$48.91 -
ECC83 /12AX7 Fisher High Mu Twin Triode Audio Tube (NOS)
$89.91 -
12AX7 Thomas Organ High Mu Twin Triode Audio Tube (Pull)
$24.91 -
12AX7A Tung-Sol High Mu Twin Triode Audio Tube (Pull)
$24.91 -
12AX7A Baldwin High Mu Twin Triode Black Plate Audio Tube (Pull)
$112.91 -
12AX7A / ECC83 RCA High Mu Twin Triode Grey Plate Audio Tube Japan (Pull)
$129.91 -
12AX7 Unbranded High Mu Twin Triode (Pull)
$21.91 -
12AX7 Fisher High Mu Twin Triode Black Plate Audio Tube (Pull)
$48.91
