Tube designations - what do they mean?

[Powell]

I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
I found these variations:
12AX7
12AX7EH
12AX7WB/7025
12AX7LP
12AX7LPS
12AX7-C

What accounts for the difference? It also appears that
12AX7 is the same as ECC83... is there any benefit
switching to this type for microphone pre-amp?

Penta 12AX7A - a renamed Dragon? Web site: "The
Penta / Shuguang 12AX7A is made in China by the
Shuguang factory exclusively for Penta Laboratories."

[Robert Casey]

Powell wrote:

>I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
>I found these variations:
>12AX7
>12AX7EH
>12AX7WB/7025
>12AX7LP
>12AX7LPS
>12AX7-C
>
>What accounts for the difference?
>
The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.

[dave weil]

On Sat, 10 Apr 2004 11:42:29 -0400, "Powell" >
wrote:

>What accounts for the difference? It also appears that
>12AX7 is the same as ECC83... is there any benefit
>switching to this type for microphone pre-amp?

http://www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/Tubes/euro-des.html

http://home.wxs.nl/~frank.philipse/frank/tubnum.html

http://www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/Tubes/usa-des.html

I threw this last one in because it compares different types of
12AX7s, although it's for guitar amp owners. You might find this
useful You should also go to Kevin Deal's site and look up his product
descriptions for the various new and NOS tubes that he carries. Keep
in mind though that he thinks that certain tubes work differently 9and
might be ranked differently) in different applications. You should
email him with the name of your unit and maybe the specifications, if
you know them, because he might not be as familiar with every piece of
studio gear as he is with home audio units.

http://www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/Tubes/Morris/

Oh yeah, here's another one for guitar amp owners. You might or might
not find this helpful:

http://www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/Tubes/MooksTasteTests/tt-12ax7.html

[Robert Morein]

"Robert Casey" > wrote in message
...
> Powell wrote:
>
> >I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
> >I found these variations:
> >12AX7
> >12AX7EH
> >12AX7WB/7025
> >12AX7LP
> >12AX7LPS
> >12AX7-C
> >
> >What accounts for the difference?
> >
> The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
> or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
> aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
>
"W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of reduced
tube life.
EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
"C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
behavior.

For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.

[Bruce J. Richman]

Robert Morein wrote:


>"Robert Casey" > wrote in message
...
>> Powell wrote:
>>
>> >I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
>> >I found these variations:
>> >12AX7
>> >12AX7EH
>> >12AX7WB/7025
>> >12AX7LP
>> >12AX7LPS
>> >12AX7-C
>> >
>> >What accounts for the difference?
>> >
>> The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
>> or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
>> aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
>>
>"W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
>Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
>LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of reduced
>tube life.
>EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
>"C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
>behavior.
>
>For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Thanks, Bob. That's uiseful information for us "SS bigots" who like to
occasionally do some tube rolling in our favorite gear. But are you sure that
those "LP" type tubes were not manufactured in the USA but barred in the
Detroit area because of threats emanating from...............?

Seriously, though, I've gone through several output tube variations wtih my
power amplifier and always wondered about the designations. (1) GE 6550A, (2)
Svetlana 6550C, and (3) my current matched quad of Ei KT-90 Type 3s.

I'm almost afraid to ask now, but what does "UYA" stand for?

<running for cover> :)


Now Playing: (1) Heart - Dreamboat Annie (Capitol SQ 12500)

Up Next:

(2) Peter, Paul & Mary - Around the Campfire (on CD - Warner 46873)

(3) Ry Cooder - Chicken Skin Music (Reprise MS 2259)



Bruce J. Richman

[Fred Nachbaur]

Robert Morein wrote:
> "Robert Casey" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Powell wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
>>>I found these variations:
>>>12AX7
>>>12AX7EH
>>>12AX7WB/7025
>>>12AX7LP
>>>12AX7LPS
>>>12AX7-C
>>>
>>>What accounts for the difference?
>>>
>>
>>The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
>>or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
>>aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
>>
>
> "W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
> Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
> LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of reduced
> tube life.
> EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
> "C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
> behavior.
>
> For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.

.... and LPS means the tube contains a light lubricating oil? :-p

Cheers,
Fred
--
+--------------------------------------------+
| Music: http://www3.telus.net/dogstarmusic/ |
| Projects: http://dogstar.dantimax.dk |
+--------------------------------------------+

[Robert Morein]

"Bruce J. Richman" > wrote in message
...
> Robert Morein wrote:
>
>
> >"Robert Casey" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Powell wrote:
> >>
> >> >I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
> >> >I found these variations:
> >> >12AX7
> >> >12AX7EH
> >> >12AX7WB/7025
> >> >12AX7LP
> >> >12AX7LPS
> >> >12AX7-C
> >> >
> >> >What accounts for the difference?
> >> >
> >> The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
> >> or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
> >> aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
> >>
> >"W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
> >Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
> >LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of
reduced
> >tube life.
> >EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
> >"C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
> >behavior.
> >
> >For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> Thanks, Bob. That's uiseful information for us "SS bigots" who like to
> occasionally do some tube rolling in our favorite gear. But are you sure
that
> those "LP" type tubes were not manufactured in the USA but barred in the
> Detroit area because of threats emanating from...............?
>
> Seriously, though, I've gone through several output tube variations wtih
my
> power amplifier and always wondered about the designations. (1) GE 6550A,
(2)
> Svetlana 6550C, and (3) my current matched quad of Ei KT-90 Type 3s.
>
> I'm almost afraid to ask now, but what does "UYA" stand for?
>
> <running for cover> :)
>
Bruce, we're in POLITE COMPANY here.
I would be no more inclined to explain the meaning of UYA than I would call
someone a rapist or child pornographer.
The UYA version is ideal for someone who is himself vacuous.

[Bruce J. Richman]

Robert Morein wrote:


>"Bruce J. Richman" > wrote in message
...
>> Robert Morein wrote:
>>
>>
>> >"Robert Casey" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Powell wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
>> >> >I found these variations:
>> >> >12AX7
>> >> >12AX7EH
>> >> >12AX7WB/7025
>> >> >12AX7LP
>> >> >12AX7LPS
>> >> >12AX7-C
>> >> >
>> >> >What accounts for the difference?
>> >> >
>> >> The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
>> >> or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
>> >> aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
>> >>
>> >"W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
>> >Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
>> >LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of
>reduced
>> >tube life.
>> >EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
>> >"C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
>> >behavior.
>> >
>> >For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Thanks, Bob. That's uiseful information for us "SS bigots" who like to
>> occasionally do some tube rolling in our favorite gear. But are you sure
>that
>> those "LP" type tubes were not manufactured in the USA but barred in the
>> Detroit area because of threats emanating from...............?
>>
>> Seriously, though, I've gone through several output tube variations wtih
>my
>> power amplifier and always wondered about the designations. (1) GE 6550A,
>(2)
>> Svetlana 6550C, and (3) my current matched quad of Ei KT-90 Type 3s.
>>
>> I'm almost afraid to ask now, but what does "UYA" stand for?
>>
>> <running for cover> :)
>>
>Bruce, we're in POLITE COMPANY here.
>I would be no more inclined to explain the meaning of UYA than I would call
>someone a rapist or child pornographer.
>The UYA version is ideal for someone who is himself vacuous.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


'Nuff said. I just filled in the blanks, and have decided that the next time a
certain well-known, highly-despised character assassin and right-wing
hatemonger asks for evidence from any of his *many* targeted & attacked, and
says "where are the quotes", they should respond UYA.



Bruce J. Richman

[Robert Morein]

"Bruce J. Richman" > wrote in message
...
> Robert Morein wrote:
[snip]
>
> 'Nuff said. I just filled in the blanks, and have decided that the next
time a
> certain well-known, highly-despised character assassin and right-wing
> hatemonger asks for evidence from any of his *many* targeted & attacked,
and
> says "where are the quotes", they should respond UYA.
>
Next Powell will ask if I'm physically threatening him.

Powell, I'm after you big time.
In one hand, I have a surgical dialator.
In my other hand, I have a 12AX7UYA.

And strapped to my back is a telephone pole.

[Robert Morein]

"Bruce J. Richman" > wrote in message
...
> Robert Morein wrote:
>
>
> >"Bruce J. Richman" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Robert Morein wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> >"Robert Casey" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> Powell wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> >I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
> >> >> >I found these variations:
> >> >> >12AX7
> >> >> >12AX7EH
> >> >> >12AX7WB/7025
> >> >> >12AX7LP
> >> >> >12AX7LPS
> >> >> >12AX7-C
> >> >> >
> >> >> >What accounts for the difference?
> >> >> >
> >> >> The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
> >> >> or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
> >> >> aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
> >> >>
> >> >"W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
> >> >Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
> >> >LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of
> >reduced
> >> >tube life.
> >> >EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
> >> >"C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
> >> >behavior.
> >> >
> >> >For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> Thanks, Bob. That's uiseful information for us "SS bigots" who like to
> >> occasionally do some tube rolling in our favorite gear. But are you
sure
> >that
> >> those "LP" type tubes were not manufactured in the USA but barred in
the
> >> Detroit area because of threats emanating from...............?
> >>
> >> Seriously, though, I've gone through several output tube variations
wtih
> >my
> >> power amplifier and always wondered about the designations. (1) GE
6550A,
> >(2)
> >> Svetlana 6550C, and (3) my current matched quad of Ei KT-90 Type 3s.
> >>
> >> I'm almost afraid to ask now, but what does "UYA" stand for?
> >>
> >> <running for cover> :)
> >>
> >Bruce, we're in POLITE COMPANY here.
> >I would be no more inclined to explain the meaning of UYA than I would
call
> >someone a rapist or child pornographer.
> >The UYA version is ideal for someone who is himself vacuous.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> 'Nuff said. I just filled in the blanks, and have decided that the next
time a
> certain well-known, highly-despised character assassin and right-wing
> hatemonger asks for evidence from any of his *many* targeted & attacked,
and
> says "where are the quotes", they should respond UYA.
>
He would probably prefer a solid state "part".

[Nothing40]

Fred Nachbaur > wrote in message news:<DUYdc.7115$2H4.2300@clgrps12>...
> Robert Morein wrote:
> > "Robert Casey" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>Powell wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
> >>>I found these variations:
> >>>12AX7
> >>>12AX7EH
> >>>12AX7WB/7025

> >>>12AX7LP
> >>>12AX7LPS
> >>>12AX7-C
> >>>
> >>>What accounts for the difference?
> >>>
> >>
> >>The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
> >>or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
> >>aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
> >>
> >
> > "W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
> > Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
> > LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of reduced
> > tube life.
> > EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
> > "C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
> > behavior.
> >
> > For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.
>
> ... and LPS means the tube contains a light lubricating oil? :-p
>
> Cheers,
> Fred


LOL!
Actually,for the Sovtek tubes LP means "long plate" and the LPS
variant is the "Long plate,spiral filament" mostly for reducing hum on
AC filament power,and it works pretty well.I've got a few pairs of the
LPS tubes,and I like them alot. ;-)

[Bruce J. Richman]

Robert Morein wrote:


>"Bruce J. Richman" > wrote in message
...
>> Robert Morein wrote:
>>
>>
>> >"Bruce J. Richman" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Robert Morein wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> >"Robert Casey" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> >> Powell wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> >I have Penta 12AX7A tubes. While looking for a replacements
>> >> >> >I found these variations:
>> >> >> >12AX7
>> >> >> >12AX7EH
>> >> >> >12AX7WB/7025
>> >> >> >12AX7LP
>> >> >> >12AX7LPS
>> >> >> >12AX7-C
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >What accounts for the difference?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> The "w" suffix meant that they met some mil spec, long life
>> >> >> or such. But realize that the military was interested on other
>> >> >> aspects of vacuum tubes than high fidelity audio work.
>> >> >>
>> >> >"W" stands for wolfram, which is anothe name for tungsten.
>> >> >Tungsten produces a stronger filament than alloy substitutes.
>> >> >LP -- low power. Filament designed for low power at the expense of
>> >reduced
>> >> >tube life.
>> >> >EH -- high power variant, possibly with a stronger plate structure.
>> >> >"C" -- probably modified for a minor characteristic, such as cut-off
>> >> >behavior.
>> >> >
>> >> >For Powell, I would recommend the 12AX7UYA.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> Thanks, Bob. That's uiseful information for us "SS bigots" who like to
>> >> occasionally do some tube rolling in our favorite gear. But are you
>sure
>> >that
>> >> those "LP" type tubes were not manufactured in the USA but barred in
>the
>> >> Detroit area because of threats emanating from...............?
>> >>
>> >> Seriously, though, I've gone through several output tube variations
>wtih
>> >my
>> >> power amplifier and always wondered about the designations. (1) GE
>6550A,
>> >(2)
>> >> Svetlana 6550C, and (3) my current matched quad of Ei KT-90 Type 3s.
>> >>
>> >> I'm almost afraid to ask now, but what does "UYA" stand for?
>> >>
>> >> <running for cover> :)
>> >>
>> >Bruce, we're in POLITE COMPANY here.
>> >I would be no more inclined to explain the meaning of UYA than I would
>call
>> >someone a rapist or child pornographer.
>> >The UYA version is ideal for someone who is himself vacuous.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> 'Nuff said. I just filled in the blanks, and have decided that the next
>time a
>> certain well-known, highly-despised character assassin and right-wing
>> hatemonger asks for evidence from any of his *many* targeted & attacked,
>and
>> says "where are the quotes", they should respond UYA.
>>
>He would probably prefer a solid state "part".
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

That is no doubt true. However, the "location" for it would still be the same.




Bruce J. Richman

[Ronald]

Hey Fred ,

> ... and LPS means the tube contains a light lubricating oil? :-p

Wich kinda snake produces that ;-)) ????
Maybe Pat can catch one to try it !! There are lotsa snakes downunder !!

Ronald .



> Cheers,
> Fred
> --
> +--------------------------------------------+
> | Music: http://www3.telus.net/dogstarmusic/ |
> | Projects: http://dogstar.dantimax.dk |
> +--------------------------------------------+
>

[MaxH]

> 12AX7 - Original RCA design
> 12AX7EH - 12AX7 made by ElectroHarmonix
> 12AX7WB/7025 - 7025 is low hum audio tube, W means military
> 12AX7LP - Long Plate - marketing - basically a normal 12AX7
> 12AX7LPS - Long Plate Spiral Filament - due to hum problems with
> normal LP
> 12AX7-C - Don't have any idea

>
> What accounts for the difference?

Some, such as 7025 are legitimate differences in design, the rest are
basically the result of manufacturer's trying to make their product
stand out in a field of very similar products.

> It also appears that
> 12AX7 is the same as ECC83... is there any benefit
> switching to this type for microphone pre-amp?

ECC83 is a euro 12AX7, and you will find the same tubes with either or
both labels on them.

Your best bet for a mic preamp, is to buy 12AX7s of any type, which have
been selected for low noise operation, and low microphonics. The price
will be higher, but the results will be worth it.