RE: I agree with Pats findings........

Posted by Pat S. (A) on March 7, 2012 at 10:16:08

In Reply to: RE: I agree with Pats findings........ posted by ksk on March 7, 2012 at 07:01:02:

"Are RCA, clear top, side getter, good as far as low microphonics?"

I've never had any problems with microphonics with the clear tops. They do have long plates, which could make them more vulnerable to microphonic behavior in certain circuits than tubes with shorter plates, like the CBS-Hytron 5814A. Some people have reported that the 13D5's, which also have long plates, can be microphonic, too. That hasn't been my experience.

Here has been my experience with 12AU7-types:

Brimar 13D5: The least 12AU7-sounding 12AU7 I've heard. That is, clean, clear and not muddy sounding. Wide soundstage with precise imaging.

CBS-Hytron 5814A: Very similar sonically to the 13D5. A little congested sounding compared to the 13D5. Hard to go wrong here.

RFT ECC82: Very open, quick and clean sounding but somewhat dry and flat compared to the 13D5 and CBS-Hytron. It sounds more like a transistor than a tube, to my ears.

RCA Clear Top 12AU7: This tube has had a clear, balanced sound in the gear I've tried it in. While I consider it to be cleaner sounding compared to most 12AU7's, it lacks the detail and resolution of the Brimar and CBS-Hytron and sounds crude in comparison.

GE Long Plate 12AU7: 50's production with the large D-shaped getters. In my experience, as good as any European 12AU7. Nice balance of clarity and warmth. Great in combination with GE 12AX7's of the same era.

Amperex ECC82: Like the GE above. A nicely balanced tube with a great deal of upper midrange presence. Neither too soft or sterile sounding. Another safe bet for good sonics.

But, I have to say that I agree 100% with Neff about the E80CC. In my experience, it outperforms any 12AU7 by a good margin.

As always, YMMV, IMHO, TTL BS etc...

RIP Dave Brubeck: 1920-2012

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - cids 17:21:05 03/04/12 (29)

RE: What is the LEAST bad sounding? - Timbo in Oz 21:05:03 03/09/12 (0)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - mulveling 07:33:33 03/08/12 (0)

RE: Tung-Sol Square Getter - reb 16:37:47 03/07/12 (0)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - Neff 20:42:14 03/05/12 (2)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - jseverino50 07:37:00 03/07/12 (1)

RE: Brimar 4034 - Neff 17:46:25 03/07/12 (0)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - twystd 20:39:45 03/04/12 (18)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - Tubeham 07:20:24 03/05/12 (17)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - twystd 19:20:07 03/05/12 (13)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - R Browne 19:54:53 03/06/12 (9)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - twystd 20:54:03 03/06/12 (8)

I fully agree... - R Browne 21:33:46 03/06/12 (7)

RE: I fully agree... - Pat S. 22:29:49 03/06/12 (6)

RE: I agree with Pats findings........ - Neff 04:48:26 03/07/12 (5)

RE: I agree with Pats findings........ - ksk 07:01:02 03/07/12 (4)

RE: I agree with Pats findings........ - Pat S. 10:16:08 03/07/12 (3)

RE: I agree with Pats findings........ - romandoc 08:21:50 03/10/12 (0)

Yes, and you know what? - XLR8OR 04:59:59 03/08/12 (1)

RE: E80CC - Neff 06:31:33 03/10/12 (0)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - Daverz 18:29:34 03/06/12 (0)

Agree RCA clear top are junk...........nt - Neff 06:54:41 03/06/12 (0)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - Laudanum 06:50:44 03/06/12 (0)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - cids 10:51:15 03/05/12 (2)

Amperex ECC82 - FenderLover 07:23:43 03/06/12 (1)

It is Funny how certain 12au7's by a certain maker of really - Minussss3db 10:53:29 03/07/12 (0)

RE: What is the best sounding 12AU7 ???? - FenderLover 17:59:41 03/04/12 (3)

You mean 5814??? /nt\ - Opus 104 18:19:52 03/04/12 (2)

Yes! - FenderLover 20:08:23 03/04/12 (1)

Reminds me of the dyslexic agnostic with insomnia. - Opus 104 20:23:09 03/04/12 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: I agree with Pats findings........ - Pat S. 10:16:08 03/07/12 (3)

RE: I agree with Pats findings........ - romandoc 08:21:50 03/10/12 (0)

Yes, and you know what? - XLR8OR 04:59:59 03/08/12 (1)

RE: E80CC - Neff 06:31:33 03/10/12 (0)

RE: I agree with Pats findings........

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