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Tesla ECC803S

Posted by Bambi B (A) on August 13, 2005 at 09:28:02

In Reply to: J.J. Ecc803's : Anyone tried these ? posted by PRM on August 13, 2005 at 06:13:23:

PRM,

I'm not too clear on the designations as this design went from Tesla to J.J.,- wasn't the J.J. a "ECC83S" for awhile?, but I have a few Tesla ECC803S that are the earlier copy of of the famous Telefunken frame grid 12AX7 of the same name- which now can cost a staggering $500-600 each NOS. I have 5 of the regular Tesla 803S's and one "XL" which is a low noise selected one.

I bought these to replace the original smooth plate ECC83 Telefunkens in my Fisher receiver- of which there are 8. I shouldn't like to have to pay for 8- NOS Telefunkens- that's probably a $600-800 purchase today, but I'd like to keep the Telefunken character, so I was thinking to run a couple of the Teslas in key places and intersperse either J.J.'s or EI's which are non- frame grid and more like the regular Telefunken. [I'm also open to the Sovtek 12AX7LPS as I think these are excellent current prosuction tubes- clean, quiet, and articulate.] Someday , I'll try the Teslas in the McIntosh MX110 and see how that works- I think they would be nice.

Tying the Tesla ECC803S in the Fisher briefly, the character of the frame grid design tube is somewhat different from the normal one and I really like the Tesla- there's something a touch more substantial to the sound, but without losing speed and delicacy. They are less agressive than regualar Telekunekns. In this subtle way, they're not an exact Telefunken ECC83 replacement, -they are nicer in a couple of respects. Very good I think for vintage gear that needs to stay away from heavy or grumbly/muddy bass tubes.

In the right gear, I like these- at least the Tesla 803S- a lot, and wish they weren't expensive now. I also wish the current J.J. version were as good, and by reputation a lot of people like them, but apparently the older Tesla version is a little nicer overall.

Where are you using 12AX7s?

Cheers,

Bambi B

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