Tube guru's is this a amperex 12ax7?

[TheShoe]

I was told it's an amperex. It flashes when energized, has ladder gray plates with 2 square notches below top and bottom mica, has circular holes on both sides of ladder plates.

The tabs above the first mica are slanted and silver color and it looks like this silver tab/flatwire runs down through both side of ladder plates?


top is seamed with 2 of the 4 seams more prominent. Single halo getter attached to 1 of the tabs.

Only marking is a number 2 on bottom of glass in the center of pins.

I have been driving myself crazy trying to learn what this is!!!

Oh, it sounds fantastic in v1 of my emplexador! I like it better than the tungsram.

 

[rockon1]

Judging by the cut of the plate tabs it looks more like a Seimens . Does the getter halo have two attaching points to the plate tabs? Does it have any etch codes on it near the base? If its a Seimens it would start with ≠ . A Heerlen Holland Phillips would start with Δ....just noticed you mentioned it was attached only at one point. Still look for etch codes -they may be VERY faint and looking at an angle in bright light helps. Bob

 

[TheShoe]

I have looked for the etch codes and cant find any??

I will have to look better or have brighter light.

I thought for sure the delta/ triangle shaped tabs above the top mica might give you guys a clue.

The getter is only attached at 1 tab above mica.

And the only number clearly visible is that number 2 on the bottom.

Do the siemens have etch codes? Do they flash on start-up?

 

[rockon1]

Yes Seimens have etch codes. The code would start with a symbol ≠. Yes they flash on start up as many european tubes do. They are part of the phillips tube family which includes "Amperex" which is really a brand not a type of tube per say. What most people are referring to when they say "Amperex" I assume is a Heerlen Holland made Phillips tube. Here's a link that may help with this stuff.

http://www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/Valvo/Phlipscode.htm



.............

 

[TheShoe]

rockon thanks for the link. It does look more like a siemens halske than a amperex

You can see through the tube in the pictures and I still cant find any etch?

I am pretty sick with a cold, eyesight aint what she used to be!!!!!

 

[Jeff West]

Hi Bob!FWIW, I agree 100% with Siemens. That one looks like it might be what they called an E83CC version, different than the "I6" code series 1960-70. Those do kind of have their own sound. Would still expect the Munich "unequal sign" though. Some of those may have had printed codes rather than etched- interesting that the tube appears with no printing whatsoever anywhere, right?-Jeff

 

[TheShoe]

Thanks for all the help guys. I am not to dissapointed that it is a siemens.

It is the best sounding that I have tried so far.

Here is whats really bugging me though.

I bought this tube from a vendor list I found here on TGP.
I asked for a Heerlen amperex bugle boy tube and he said he'd get me a really good deal on one because all the labeling was worn off. I said I dont care I just want to have/hear what these tubes sound like and this is what he sent me.
The siemens tubes are about the same cost?

I have sent some of the tubes back that i didnt like to purchase this tube and a tungsram.

if you were me would you call him on it? or just leave it be.

 

[BLUECASTER]

I would call him. This is not a Heerlen tube.

 

[BLUECASTER]

I think it has a single getter suport.
According to the Tube Classics site, it could be a Siemens tube made in Eastern Germany.
http://www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/SieTel ECC83/ECC83.htm

 

[rockon1]

Hi right back at ya,Jeff! Been into photography pretty deep for the last 2 years so no tube sniffing for a while. That said the cut on the plate tabs looked Seimens all the way.

OP-sometimes the etch codes get vitually rubbed away. All I can say is Ive seen the faintest with a magnifying glass and bright light holding the tube at an angle to "catch" it just right. Bob

 

[Blue Strat]

Thanks for all the help guys. I am not to dissapointed that it is a siemens.

It is the best sounding that I have tried so far.

Here is whats really bugging me though.

I bought this tube from a vendor list I found here on TGP.
I asked for a Heerlen amperex bugle boy tube and he said he'd get me a really good deal on one because all the labeling was worn off. I said I dont care I just want to have/hear what these tubes sound like and this is what he sent me.
The siemens tubes are about the same cost?

I have sent some of the tubes back that i didnt like to purchase this tube and a tungsram.

if you were me would you call him on it? or just leave it be.

If there's a significant difference in price I'd bring it up. On the other hand, since you like it, it may not matter much.

 

[59Vampire]

I would mention it privately in a kind way. It could clearly be a misunderstanding. What didnt you like about Tungsrams? I LOVE them.

 

[TheShoe]

I was all set to love this tungsram, probably because it cost me the most.
I can't believe I am writing this but as a hard rock/metal guy the tung is just to aggressive sounding. This Emplexador Mk2 just roars fine on regular tubes, but rolling some old tubes through made it sound even better.

 

[Jeff West]

If you really like the Siemens, I'd recommend keeping it, finding a Dutch shortplate Amperex wouldn't be hard.The photo on the Tube Classics site to compare it to is the S&H E83CC, which they have in the Philips section not the Siemens.-J