12AX7 ECC83

The 12AX7 is a miniature, high-gain dual triode vacuum tube commonly used in audio preamplifier and amplifier circuits. It’s part of the 12A*7 family of tubes, which includes variations like 12AT7, 12AU7, and 12AY7. The 12AX7 is known for its versatility and is widely used in guitar amplifiers, Hi-Fi audio equipment, and other applications where signal amplification is crucial.

Musicians and audiophiles appreciate the 12AX7 for its ability to provide significant gain, making it suitable for shaping the tone and dynamics of an audio signal. It is often found in the initial stages of guitar amplifiers, where it amplifies the weak signal from the instrument before it goes through additional amplification stages.

The tube has a characteristic amplification factor (mu) of 100, making it well-suited for applications requiring high gain. It has two identical triodes in the same glass envelope, allowing it to handle two separate signals or channels.

In summary, the 12AX7 is a popular and versatile vacuum tube known for its role in audio amplification, especially in the realm of musical instrument amplifiers and high-fidelity audio systems.