Amp Issue / Tube replacement recommendations

[Yggdrazil]

Hi guys,

I need some help...some schooling.

I was playing through my Matamp Mini-mat III this evening when all suddenly no more sound; just a kind of faint hum was coming from the speakers. Tried into another cab... same shit.

I suspect the pre-amp tubes (at least one) to be dead.
Any recommendations on how to check that or should I order directly some replacements and swap them?

On the spec page of the Mini-mat, they state ECC83
Are ECC83 the exact same thing than 12AX7?
Any brand to look for or avoid?
New ones or Vintages?

What about these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/152324307552?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
Should I spend that amount on that or they're too spendy for nothing?

What are all those spec?
What spec to look for?

The values are: T1: 52-52, T2: 50-52
Minimum Recommended: 32-32.(60%)

or spec like these (3 tubes):

118%/125% 106%/100% 81%/87%

I know, many questions
thx in advance for any help/input

[daCod]

Swap out some different 12AX7's in there and see if that works. Otherwise swap out the 6v6 and see if that works. No need to rebids I don't think. I never did with mine and it's been nothing but awesome.

If u still have that Univox 410 amp try some of the EAC Mullard's - they sound GREAT!!!

[Sauniere]

ECC83 are the same as 12AX7.

I've never heard a night and day difference between NOS/vintage and decent current production tubes. YMMV. However, vintage tubes tend to last a lot longer than current production.

"The values are: T1: 52-52, T2: 50-52
Minimum Recommended: 32-32.(60%)"

Those numbers in the auction are test values. 32 meaning the tube still has 60% of its life left. Different testers have different ways of grading tubes...you may see different auctions with different test values, etc...

[Coolhand78]

any 12ax7 will do, i personally liked JJ's in mine should be able to get em pretty cheap on ebay.

i tried some nice vintage RCA's i had in mine and kinda prefered the JJ's...

[HorseyBoy]

any 12ax7 will do, i personally liked JJ's in mine should be able to get em pretty cheap on ebay.

i tried some nice vintage RCA's i had in mine and kinda prefered the JJ's...

Heretic! Witch! Burn him in oil! Blasphemer!
But yeah, whatever sounds good to your ear is all that matters.

[Doc Holliday]

I must admit I do prefer NOS. Mainly in old amps. Newer amps - I don't tend to hear much difference.

[Doc Holliday]

JJ's to me can be a good V1 tube in a higher gain amp but I'm not mad on the detail they produce. The JJ 6v6 tubes I have are very good though. And rather loud sounding in comparison to other 6v6 tubes. They don't look like 6v6's either. Great big bold tube though.

[Coolhand78]

any 12ax7 will do, i personally liked JJ's in mine should be able to get em pretty cheap on ebay.

i tried some nice vintage RCA's i had in mine and kinda prefered the JJ's...

Heretic! Witch! Burn him in oil! Blasphemer!
But yeah, whatever sounds good to your ear is all that matters.

This is only the case for the minimat, was completely different for the old fenders I've had in the past...!
The difference was massive on my old bassman and the vibroverb custom I had...

[Yggdrazil]

Thx for your input guys

Since I am off today, I tried Cody's suggestion; swapped the ECC83 for some some of the EAC Mullard's 12AX7's that were in my Univox 410. Tried just one, tried the other, tried both... Unsuccess

I can't try swapping the 6V6GT since I have no replacement right now.
I guess my next step is ordering one.

I recorded a short video to show what happens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-5ugpKzyc8