(24 votes, average: 3.54 out of 5)
Loading...“Of the current 12AX7s the Genalex Gold Lion seem to test and sound better than most IMO” Read
“They have excellent stage and dimensionality. They bring depth, breath and width to the music, especially with the mid range.” Read
I’ve historically been very skeptical of new production tubes, as most simply cannot compete with the performance of New Old Stock (NOS) variants. However, I decided to test what is arguably the best of the modern bunch: the Genalex 12AX7/B759 Russia. It is important to note that this is a modern Russian-made reissue from the New Sensor factory, not the original British-made Genalex from the M-O Valve Company.
Visually, the tube features attractive gold pins and nice silk screening, though like many modern tubes, it has a somewhat bulky, less elegant physical profile compared to vintage glass. Out of the box, the initial performance was disappointing—dry and brittle—but after 24 hours of burn-in, the mids began to soften. By the 48-hour mark, the tube reached its peak performance and became truly impressive.
While it doesn’t quite match the “air” or holographic soundstage of a Telefunken, the Genalex Gold Lion delivers great gain and superb bass response. The midrange is a standout feature, rendering vocals with a gentle, open quality that makes them truly shine. While the top end lacks the legendary sweetness of an Amperex, this is a massive leap forward for Russian production; the brittleness of the past is gone. We finally have a legitimate alternative to old stock that can be enjoyed in high-end circuits.
Final Verdict
The Genalex 12AX7/B759 Russia is a triumph for new production glass. While it doesn’t quite dethrone the rarest NOS legends in terms of ultimate transparency, its musical mids and powerful low end make it an excellent choice for those who want reliable, high-performance tubes without the exorbitant price of vintage originals.
Agree with your review. I popped a pair into my old Quicksilver full-function preamplifier. My initial impressions were fairly positive but the top-end had a slight tizz and forwardness compared to the vintage Mullards I run. But as the hours passed, this forwardness became reduced and the soundstaging depth became better too. “I can live with this tube” was one of my comments and I normally do not like new production tubes.