Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

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mici88
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Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by mici88 » Fri Jun 30, 2017 9:46 am

I have a Micro Dark which is in general great amplifier. Recently I started to think about swapping stock preamp tube to get more tight and focused tone. Is it possible in general, will I feel a big difference with other tubes? If yes, then I'd be happy to get some suggestions.

Share your experiences!

scottjpsmith
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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by scottjpsmith » Fri Jun 30, 2017 3:18 pm

Hi Mici88! I think so. I really liked the change from the stock tube to Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-ECC83-S when I had a micro dark. In my opinion its worth it. Let me know what happens if you give it a shot.
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mici88
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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by mici88 » Fri Jun 30, 2017 4:49 pm

scottjpsmith wrote:
Fri Jun 30, 2017 3:18 pm
Hi Mici88! I think so. I really liked the change from the stock tube to Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-ECC83-S when I had a micro dark. In my opinion its worth it. Let me know what happens if you give it a shot.
Is the swap "plug&play" operation or do I have set the BIAS?

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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by bclaire » Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:14 pm

mici88 wrote:
Fri Jun 30, 2017 4:49 pm
scottjpsmith wrote:
Fri Jun 30, 2017 3:18 pm
Hi Mici88! I think so. I really liked the change from the stock tube to Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-ECC83-S when I had a micro dark. In my opinion its worth it. Let me know what happens if you give it a shot.
Is the swap "plug&play" operation or do I have set the BIAS?
It's a preamp tube so no biasing required...

mici88
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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by mici88 » Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:17 pm

bclaire wrote:
Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:14 pm
mici88 wrote:
Fri Jun 30, 2017 4:49 pm
scottjpsmith wrote:
Fri Jun 30, 2017 3:18 pm
Hi Mici88! I think so. I really liked the change from the stock tube to Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-ECC83-S when I had a micro dark. In my opinion its worth it. Let me know what happens if you give it a shot.
Is the swap "plug&play" operation or do I have set the BIAS?
It's a preamp tube so no biasing required...
OK, so I guess plug&play. Thanks!

megalithic
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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by megalithic » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:15 pm

I tried a bunch of them, mostly higher gain, when I had a Micro Dark.

I wanted more distortion without pedals, which it sort of did, but didn't sound good, like two cascading distortion pedals with the gains maxed, kind of like a bad compressor/ripped speaker. Even the 12AT7 did that.

But of course you can try, you might have more luck, and you won't break anything by doing it (unless you don't plug/unplug them in carefully). Turn off your amp when doing it and wait for it to cool down a bit.
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caldurham
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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by caldurham » Fri Jun 30, 2017 11:50 pm

i've tried a few different tubes in my micro dark. i finally settled on a genalex gold lion ecc83/b759 with gold pins. huge difference between it and the stock tube. gain is thick, creamy and articulate.

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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by adkguy07 » Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:10 am

caldurham wrote:
Fri Jun 30, 2017 11:50 pm
i've tried a few different tubes in my micro dark. i finally settled on a genalex gold lion ecc83/b759 with gold pins. huge difference between it and the stock tube. gain is thick, creamy and articulate.
This is interesting. I haven't replaced the stock JJ as yet in mine, but might go with with this one. I don't go much past 12 o'clock on the MD gain knob and usually have it around 11 o'clock for better touch control with my guitars' volume knob. Would the "creamy" description apply at those setting? Or does it become more effective at higher amp gain levels?

adkguy07

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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by caldurham » Mon Jul 03, 2017 3:23 am

adkguy07 wrote:
Sat Jul 01, 2017 11:10 am

This is interesting. I haven't replaced the stock JJ as yet in mine, but might go with with this one. I don't go much past 12 o'clock on the MD gain knob and usually have it around 11 o'clock for better touch control with my guitars' volume knob. Would the "creamy" description apply at those setting? Or does it become more effective at higher amp gain levels?

adkguy07
i think it would work fine for that. you may want to read some of the reviews for the tube on the various tube store sites. it may give you a better idea.

Boy_Narf
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Re: Orange Micro Dark - is worth to swap preamp tube?

Post by Boy_Narf » Tue Jul 04, 2017 3:56 pm

Honestly the best upgrade I did to my MT was upgrading it to another amp. If you want more gain I might suggest the Micro Dark. If you want more AMP, I would suggest something else in the Terror range.

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