Avalon VT737SP - Re-Tube Before and After

Inspired by the results of replacing all of the tubes in my Benson Monarch 15, I decided to tackle one of my favorite channels in my rack - the Avalon VT737SP Class-A Channel Strip! Join me as I run this aluminium angel through the paces using just an acoustic guitar, a ribbon mic, and four JJ E88CC Gold Pins.

Disclaimer: I tried to keep this before/after as pure as possible, so there is no typical post-processing that I would otherwise add to sweeten up a guitar track. That means no noise reduction (and boy is that 'before' track noisy!), reverb/delay, or additional compression, and only the slightest bit of EQ to clean up the sub-lows.

I'm super happy with the results. What do you think? Let me know!

00:00 - Intro
00:27 - About the VT737SP
02:15 - The 'before' track with Sovtek 6922 tubes
03:07 - The Swap
03:53 - The 'after' track with new JJ E88CC Gold Pin tubes
04:52 - Conclusion

Signal Paths:
Guitar: Taylor 714CE / Royer R121 Ribbon Mic / Avalon VT737SP
Vocals: Neumann TLM170R / SSL Superanalogue Channel / UA LA-2A

Conversion by Antelope Audio

Camera:
Sony A7RII + 85MM F1.4 GM

Music:
Intro - Word Salad (unreleased)
The Swap - Swimming In Fire (unreleased)
Outro -    • Tanner Cundy - Why Light (instrumental)  

https://www.tannercundy.com
  / tannercundy  

Thanks to Eurotubes for the consult on tube replacement for this channel strip, hit them up if you're looking to freshen up your glass.