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Valvo 6201s and Philips E81CC

Posted by Bambi B (A) on May 13, 2008 at 18:36:43

In Reply to: Valvo 6201 question for Bambi B or others. posted by Frostbite Slim on May 13, 2008 at 17:21:51:

Frostbite Slim,

The Valvo, Hamburg made 6201 is one of my three favourite 12AT7's, the others being the Siemens triple mica E81CC -quiet, punchy, and energetic, and Sylvania triple mica, black plate, square getter 12AT7WA- the lush, deep, wide, and tall. My typical uses of the three models are: VALVO > microphone preamplifier, receiver and tuner circuits in the signal path, > SIEMENS> vintage McIntosh (MX110 MC240,MR67, Scott (330D), and Fisher to "wake up" those sleepy details, McIntosh MR67 MPX oscillator, and Audio Research power supplies (SP10 and D115)- the Siemens is very quiet, has high specification and a 10,000 rating, and the SYLVANIA- which I call the "1939 Bing Crosby"> now only in my microphone preamp to capture all that personality, but I could see the Sylvania in a tube output CD player where some smoothness and even slight darkness might offer some discount remedial analoginity to CD's.

Sonically, the Valvo 6201 falls somewhere in the middle between the fast and zippy Siemens and the suave crooning Sylvania- the Valvo has beautiful timbre and refined detail, great imaging, never harsh or unconfident anywhere in it's wide range, and has the bass required of all my favourite tubes regardless of type.- clean, natural timbre, and effortlessly transparent. If I had to live with only one 12AT7- use it everywhere, it would be the Valvo.

There are in fact several different Valvo 6201's. As far as I know, Hmaburg was the only factory for any Phillips 6201, if it was a Philips, Miniwatt, or Mullard and Heerlen, it was called either E81CC or 12AT7WA. The -WA is I think the direct equivalent to 6201, though I'm not sure I've ever seens a gold-pinned -WA whereas there were both steel and gold pinned 6201's and E81CC. The GE 6201 double and triple mica (a very good one tto) were steel pinned. By the way, the 6201 had one of the first computer specifications- it could cycle on and off very rapidly many times and without switching noise.

I have Philips E81CC and 12AT7WA also, both gold pinned and "D" factory codes- Hamburg. And, as far as I can tell, with the 2 mica versions- they appear to be all the same tube. I never thought to compare the sounds of Valvo and Philips and E81CC against 12AT7WA, and 6201, but I can't remember any striking differences- and for awhile I really listened seriously to 12AT7s.

The Valvo was made in several versions: two mica and three mica, with more than one version of the triple mica and there were white, red, and blue labeled ones. The triple mica ones were earlier and are a close cousin to the Siemens in terms of construction- very nicely done, double getter supports, thick micas and so on. The triple mica, blue label, pinched waist Valvo 6201 has to be the top in desirability- now a $140 tube NOS. The blue lettering was the sign of mobile use and low noise- I suppose that would be the military version. I always wanted the triple mica ones but refused very high prices too long and never bought any. I so have both blue and white labelled two mica NOS, and I think the lettering colour does not matter to the sound- they were equally good. I think differnces would be apparent between the 3 and 3 mica versions- and some poeple go crazy for the pinched waist, triple mica, blue label, and some difference with early and later 3 mica production, but for me, the two mica Valvo 6201- blue or white- is just fine- a really top quality and great sounding 12AT7.

What are using 12AT7's for?

Cheers,

Bambi B

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