I swapped out one of my 737's for the 1973 Tesla NOS after I watched this video last year. After burning them in for a day, I found the Tesla NOS tubes to add a but more open, almost 3D, sound to my voice. I think I'm going to swap out the other 737 for Tesla NOS tubes.
Running sound clips through the mic pre would give you a more accurate ab. Generally when do comparative experiments, its favorable to have as many variables as possible the same for each group…. Including gain matching… the human ear will always choose the louder source over the quiet one… etc.
That’s true. If I was an “audio gear” channel, I’d probably do something like that, but this was more of a one-time project. Appreciate the advice though.
For me the stock tubes sounds better...new stock tubes most likely would’ve reduced the noise. I just ordered new ones for my 737 as noise was starting to creep in.
Telsa is my choice. Extremely quiet and the clarity and articulation will contribute and prove to be an advantage during the mixing process. Any tube that is vintage NOS always out performs todays stock tubes. I have a pair of Avalon VT-737sp and changed the tubes using the Telefunken 7308 (6922 replacement) NOS tubes. Each tube was $400.00 and have a 10,000 hour minimum heater life each. If you are impressed with the Telsa tubes, and you should be,... the Telefunken tubes will knock your socks off.
Too bad you didn't do the test after you let the Tesla's break in for 48 hours or so. Preamp tubes always gain more clarity, greater transparency, the lows drop down, and details in the mids are much more noticeable after they've had a minimum 48 hour break in (which may have been significant when comparing the Kalimba in particular, given all of the harmonics and sub-harmonics that make up it's tone). ...and yes, the hissing you were hearing is a sign it's time to change the tubes, as they're worn. Avalon rates the tubes in the 737 at 5,000 hours, and recommends changing the tubes every 2 years in units that are "used regularly" (pg 39 of the manual).
Slovtec sounded warmer I learned when buying replacement tubes each side has a slightly different sound know what you're getting from now on my thinking is if you're not broke don't fix them I wonder how much those change after they've been used a little bit
Sovtec is a little grainy at the end, a little stiff on lows. Tesla is some more sound expanding with wider sapce, but less vibrating at the end with less grainy. I prefer Tesla. Tesla tubes will good with tight sound power amplifiers. Otherwise it will feel bubbles all over.
Do you have a link for the tesla tubes? I know this is an old video but id like to track down these exact tesla tubes, is there a specific model i should search for?
The Tesla tubes seems to be - like as better sounding for first moment but isnt.. I prefer the original tubes much better. Much solid compact sound.. Thank You for this !
For voice over work (as is my field of expertise) you are correct. The stock tubes offer the best balance of warmth and mid range punch/clarity. The Teslas seem like they could get a bit fatiguing for dialogue purposes. Slightly "scooped" sounding...nice at first but it begins to feel lacking in substance, or "solidity" over time.
@@paulquinnvoiceover8354 Thanks for the input Paul. I just got a used VT737. I bought the ST4 Tube Replacement and received 4 Sovtek tubes. Is Sovtek the stock tubes Avalon uses? Thanks in advance
The Telsa tubes sound to clear and bright. The purpose of the Avalon is to get WARMTH into your signal. Come on people stick to the original tubes if your doing music. If your doing news vocal recording then I guess Telsa will work.
This kind of testing is so flawed, unfortunately it is not possible to test both in the same time with the same performance as this is the only way to hear the difference, also the measurements that no one takes. The difference in two takes made a few hours apart, or even two takes made 1 minute apart is so much bigger than the differences the tube makes, without a proper measurement this really has no real meaning.
What a great test! Bravo! The differences are clearly heard even with youtube MP3 quality
The sovtek gives you that 737 sound. I wouldn’t try selling the pre without the originals.
For us who do not like the 737 this is actually a plus. Either way, tubes can bring some subtle difference at best so not a big deal.
Oh crap I heard difference day / night ! Thx now I might b interested in the Tesla tubes
I swapped out one of my 737's for the 1973 Tesla NOS after I watched this video last year. After burning them in for a day, I found the Tesla NOS tubes to add a but more open, almost 3D, sound to my voice. I think I'm going to swap out the other 737 for Tesla NOS tubes.
Cool. The guy at Avalon said this pre is about 1dB quieter (lower noise floor) than stock.
Hey
where did you buy those tubes from?
did you get Quad matched pair? or how should I do it in this case ofc.
thank you
Gold Lion ECC88 did not worked in my preamp. They almost fried it. I then went for some Dutch Phillips.
Running sound clips through the mic pre would give you a more accurate ab. Generally when do comparative experiments, its favorable to have as many variables as possible the same for each group…. Including gain matching… the human ear will always choose the louder source over the quiet one… etc.
That’s true. If I was an “audio gear” channel, I’d probably do something like that, but this was more of a one-time project. Appreciate the advice though.
For me the stock tubes sounds better...new stock tubes most likely would’ve reduced the noise. I just ordered new ones for my 737 as noise was starting to creep in.
Sounded more mellow on voice but theres some of distortion appeared with teslas, heard it on acc guitar
Telsa is my choice. Extremely quiet and the clarity and articulation will contribute and prove to be an advantage during the mixing process. Any tube that is vintage NOS always out performs todays stock tubes. I have a pair of Avalon VT-737sp and changed the tubes using the Telefunken 7308 (6922 replacement) NOS tubes. Each tube was $400.00 and have a 10,000 hour minimum heater life each. If you are impressed with the Telsa tubes, and you should be,... the Telefunken tubes will knock your socks off.
How did the Avalon sound after the tube upgrade, can you describe the tone and sound? thanks
Too bad you didn't do the test after you let the Tesla's break in for 48 hours or so. Preamp tubes always gain more clarity, greater transparency, the lows drop down, and details in the mids are much more noticeable after they've had a minimum 48 hour break in (which may have been significant when comparing the Kalimba in particular, given all of the harmonics and sub-harmonics that make up it's tone).
...and yes, the hissing you were hearing is a sign it's time to change the tubes, as they're worn. Avalon rates the tubes in the 737 at 5,000 hours, and recommends changing the tubes every 2 years in units that are "used regularly" (pg 39 of the manual).
Looking from the front of the unit, they are in order let to right.
Slovtec sounded warmer
I learned when buying replacement tubes each side has a slightly different sound know what you're getting from now on my thinking is if you're not broke don't fix them I wonder how much those change after they've been used a little bit
Put Gold LIon's in there and be done with it.
Yep give me the Telsa any day of the week.
The Tesla are super quite. The sound is not as detailed and warm as the factory tubes to my ears, nothing that eq can't fix I assume. Great video.
Thanks - very close in sound. Just personal preference.
Yall can't hear it but If you listen to the noise floor on the sovteks are terrible. The tesla tubes were whisper quiet.
Sovtec is a little grainy at the end, a little stiff on lows. Tesla is some more sound expanding with wider sapce, but less vibrating at the end with less grainy. I prefer Tesla. Tesla tubes will good with tight sound power amplifiers. Otherwise it will feel bubbles all over.
The sovtek tubes are new? if not then perhaps you need to do another test to A/B, added noise could be due to age of tubes
Good point. The original tubes didn’t have a lot of time on them, but they are not both the same age, which would be the best.
Props on wearing gloves when handling tubes.
Sovtek are the best!
Hi there mate!
could you please drop us the link for this purchase? if at all available still ofc
Do you have a link for the tesla tubes? I know this is an old video but id like to track down these exact tesla tubes, is there a specific model i should search for?
The ebay link is in his description
Why is there so much hiss on the two options in the testing section
The Tesla tubes seems to be - like as better sounding for first moment but isnt.. I prefer the original tubes much better. Much solid compact sound..
Thank You for this !
For voice over work (as is my field of expertise) you are correct. The stock tubes offer the best balance of warmth and mid range punch/clarity. The Teslas seem like they could get a bit fatiguing for dialogue purposes. Slightly "scooped" sounding...nice at first but it begins to feel lacking in substance, or "solidity" over time.
Tesla Tubes aren’t broken I’m yet. Should have broken them in if doing an A/B. Tubes always sound better when they are broken In. Just my 2 cents.
@@paulquinnvoiceover8354 Thanks for the input Paul. I just got a used VT737. I bought the ST4 Tube Replacement and received 4 Sovtek tubes. Is Sovtek the stock tubes Avalon uses? Thanks in advance
Sovtek by far... smoth and soft, exactly the reason why you are using a strip channel, otherwise go direct, no equalization at all !!!!!
I'm thinking of trying the JJ tubes, anyone try them?
The Telsa tubes sound to clear and bright. The purpose of the Avalon is to get WARMTH into your signal. Come on people stick to the original tubes if your doing music. If your doing news vocal recording then I guess Telsa will work.
Good Job!
where did buy the tubes?
Link in description
Tesla E88cc gold pin are one of the best E88cc you can buy. Sovtek are one of the worst. They sound congested. The Tesla do need a burn in.
This kind of testing is so flawed, unfortunately it is not possible to test both in the same time with the same performance as this is the only way to hear the difference, also the measurements that no one takes.
The difference in two takes made a few hours apart, or even two takes made 1 minute apart is so much bigger than the differences the tube makes, without a proper measurement this really has no real meaning.
Sovtek sounds better than Tesla, but Sovtek is way more noisy..... Interesting.....
Musically, Sovtek will be the choice though.
Tesla sounds better to me
Sovteks are more ear-friendly
Tesla
sovtek is much better the sound is more punch and hot