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So far, in my Cary SLP-308, I've tried out:
GE mil-spec 12AU7 (stock tubes)... This was a nice sound; extended, but a little "bland" if you know what I mean. Unfortunately, I dropped one of these. Dammit!
Brimar 13D5... Too lush and creamy for my taste, and microphonic (maybe that's why they sound so lush!)
Sylvania triple-mica 5814... A very nice sounding tube. Brilliant midrange, good bass extension, and a little rolled-off on top.
I'd like to know what 12AU7 to consider that retains the character of the Sylvania (awesome midrange!) and adds a more extended treble response. I am not willing to give up bass extension, speed or clarity... No syrup!
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
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You've given me some great ideas of what to look for. Now it's just a question of finding something I can afford!
Saw a pair of NOS Tung-Sols going for $100... don't know if I'm ready to spend that kind of dough, though!
Thanks again.
...think they're a 'must try' for any 12au7 app and available for less than $20/pair NOS. I also like the Tung-Sol's a lot but never thought of them as 'snappy'.
There are an ENORMOUS variety of 12AU7 types out there, and and equally large number of opinions.
From my experience - someone suggested the old stock Tung-sol 12AU7 - I agree, it's a FINE tube.
I also have a lot of people using the RFT 12AU7, and the feedback has been very positive. It is a very neutral tube, good balance up and down, and no syrup (I'm with you on that one!!). My customers like them a lot, and they are a bargain too.
Either of those could do well for you I think. But remember it's always your ears/system/room/etc. that has to be the final judge!
Steve
Try a Mazda "chrome-plate" 12AU7WA, E82CC or 6189 whichever designation you prefer to use. Incredible midrange with nice extended highs and lows. IMHO it is "THE" 12AU7 to beat!
Go to Wi Wi Tubes at the link below (don't worry I buy from them all the time!) Click on TUBE LIST, then click on 12AU7/ECC82 when the next page opens. Scroll down the list till you get to E82CC Philips, France and give them a try. I may be mistaken but I believe this are relabled Mazdas. I do know that Mazda tubes are from France, but ask Lorenz he'll know for sure. I believe you're going to love these tubes. Everyone else I've turned onto them has!!!!!! Much, much better than Siemans "chrome-plates" which sound dark and slow and deficient at the freq. extremes in comparison IMHO.
Thetubeguy1954
Agree with you on the early Mazda Silver Plate 12AU7's.
BTW, tubes in your link are original Mazdas with newly printed fake label and boxes.
There are a good number of the tubes on that site with fake labels and boxes like Mazda ECC802S, Mullard ECC82, NOS Tesla ECC83 and ECC803S (relabeled JJ), Philips ECC83 Miniwatt, Brimar 12AX7/CV4004 etc. etc.
Still no idea why they would want to relabel perfectly fine NOS tubes.
TM
Why is it that when somebody asks a question like this, the responses are always about some obscure tube that nobody has heard of and probably cannot find?
Anyway I have nos RCA 5814s but actually prefer the more dynamic sounding JJ ECC802S. They are not expensive and you will probably like their forward sound.
doggy
...A Black plate RCA 5963 is a neutral sounding tube. The grey plate RCA version is a bit softer sounding.
I also like the RCA Command series 5814 as well as the '50s vintage black plate RCA 12AU7.
An old Raytheon is a good tube also. Really old Sylvania's (flat, black plate) are pretty good too. I don't really care for the angular "box" plate later Sylvania however.
RCA "cleartops" sound thin in most of my equipment but some swear by their virtues.
The vintage Tung-Sol 12AU7 is also a solid performer.
At least they are all pretty cheap to try!
--
Al G
Born To Tinker!
SF tech,
I use only 6- 12AU7s in various gear but I've tried quite a number of kinds. The 12AU7 I find is the punchiest, with great detail and frequency extension natural timbres and a wonderful strong, transparent bass has been the Siemens & Halske triple mica 5814A. The Siemens E82CC, also sometimes marked 6189 is perhaps a little sweeter. Both these are never harsh, or too forward, and don't add colourations, presenting an impressive energetic manner.
It has a different attitude to the Siemens, but the most refined 12AU7 I know is the Philips-produced 7316 or ECC186, seen labelled as Amperex and Valvo. Not as agressive as the Siemens, with a miraculous mid-range, deep, nimble bass soundstage- nearly perfect in my view. I liked the 7316 so much I bit my bank manager until he let me take out a loan to buy 8- NOS.
Others have mentioned the CBS/Hytron 5814A and next to the Siemens and the 7316, this may be my next favourite- it does everything well and has an amazing capacity to reveal inner detail and provide discretion between sounds.
Cheers
Bambi B
12AU7s at home:
12AU7 [6] 1, 2, 2, 1 TOTAL: 67
Philips SQ/ by Siemens 5814A -3 mica- DE- NOS
Brimar ECC82 "cleartop"- GB- NOS
Sylvania JHS 12AU7WA- 6189- NOS 66
HP/ Amperex ECC82-- NOS
HP/ RCA- cleartop- NOS
RCA- 5814A- black plate 2 mica- NOS
RCA/ Textronix 2-matched prs cleartop NOS
Valvo/ Philips ECC82- dimp disc-Holland -NOS
Valvo/ Siemens E82CC- NOS
CBS 5814A- JHS blk plate- stirrup gtr- NOS 1957
RCA cleartop- USED
Amperex Bugle Boy 7316- Holland- NOS 1964
RCA “Command” 5814A- NOS
CBS 5814A- blk pl- sq gtr- NOS/Used?
Sylvania 5814A- USA- c.1970
National by RCA- 5814WA- black pl- US- NOS
Siemens- E82CC/6189- 2mica, halo- DE- NOS
Siemens 5814A -3 mica- USED [25
Valvo 6189- RTC- France- db gtr sup- NOS
Valvo ECC186/7316- Holland- NOS -1965
Siemens/H E82CC/6189- 3 mica- DE-NOS
Siemens Halske early 5814A are pretty tough to find, though. I wish I knew a good source, and I still can't believe I traded away my spare NOS pair :(
*
is the RCA Blackplate - early 50s...
other than that - 12BH7 all the way!
Hytron or CBS-Hytron 5814. JAN-JHY Hytron's too.
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