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RE: 12AU7 vs 12AX7 tubes

I'm not an expert either, but I would know if I substituted a 12AU7 in place of a 12AX7. Or more importantly, I would know better than to do that! What I was communicating to the original poster was that if he is looking to go with a new amp in order to use a tube type different than a 5751, then I personally don't think that the 12AU7 as a TYPE will be an improvement over what he has. Are there some 12AU7-based circuits (or circuits that use 12AU7's in conjunction with other small signal tubes) that sound better than circuits based on the 12AX7, 5751, 6922, 6SN7, etc? I'm sure there are. But, if we are talking about the 12AU7 itself, well, I think it is a pretty crappy sounding tube and that even the best ones I've tried (including the 7316 and 13D5) are still handicapped by the fact that they are in the 12AU7 family and retain, to a certain extent, that vague, fuzzy sonic quality.

As always, just my experience and opinion.

RIP Dave Brubeck: 1920-2012


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  • RE: 12AU7 vs 12AX7 tubes - Pat S. 14:07:45 07/24/12 (0)

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