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I have a pair of RCA 12AU7 Black plate on their way. They are way cheaper than the RCA Cleartops everyone raves about.
So how do these black plates compare to the clear tops, and why do the CT's carry such a premium?
Thanks!
Andrew
Follow Ups:
I don't like the clear top RCA 12AU7. Or I should say they aren't my favorite 12AU7 type in amps which I used them. By far, the CBS-Hytron blackplate 5418A, 7316, and 7318 are my favorite.
Okay, some thoughts after listening for 8 hours...
I would desribe the cleartops as sounding light on their feet. Bubbly, even. They aren't bright in the sense of being harsh or edgy. The are bright in a light, delightful way.
I can understand why they are loved and hated at the same time.
Myself, I am finding their sound delightful and fun. Are there better sounding tubes? I am sure of it. Are there more fun to listen to tubes? I dunno about that. That is what these little gems have. A groovy factor...
Andrew
Just got my cleartops. For a good price, I believe. 20 bucks for a matched pair.
Comparing them directly to RCA Blackplate 5963's. Very different sound. The clear tops are nowhere near as neutral. In my system, the mids are quite forward. Low distortion, though, which makes for an interesting sound.
Not exactly sure how I feel about them yet. They are nice sounding tubes, sure. But how good?
They need some warmup/break-in time before I decide. I will say that after three hours, they are starting to come into their own. We will see....
Andrew
In my experience the CBS Hytron is my favorite also.
Agree CBS/Hytron. Also, Brimar 13D5
I'm curious to read the thoughts here.
Can't imagine forking out $100+ for 6!
If I remember, I paid $12-15 bucks with 5 in the "5pack" tested, along with proper(gag)vintage 1951 date.
YMMV,naturally.
My hearing isn't sensitive to pick up subtle stuff nowadays.So unless the stock tubes are really low quality,(wasn't the case) power tubes seem to be the game changer in my system.
I like and prefer the sound/tone of the blackplate more than the clear top, technical explanations aside.
Steve
Edits: 03/16/15
Yeah, i just got mine and am listening to them now... RCA Blackplates.BUT...
They actually aren't 12au7's. They are 5963's! 1958 vintage. Got them for a song.. seriously these things go cheap. They don't SOUND cheap.
I am enjoying them. They are in the phase splitter position in my amp, and I would describe them as VERY midrange forward, and overall laid-back.
You would think the pre-amp tube would make the most difference, but I find that the phase splitter position in my amp makes at least as much a difference in tone, if not more.
EDIT... not quite as laid back and forward as they are warming up and settling. Wow. These are some NICE sounding tubes. Based on what the market is charging for other vintage tubes, these are SERIOUSLY undervalued. Shhhh... don't tell anyone, though! LOL
Andrew
Edits: 03/16/15 03/16/15
RCA cleartops tend to have high trans-conductance compared to most 12au7. This is something that is not stated often. As a result, the cleartop gives you more drive which would suit circuits where 12au7 is used in the output stage. Another 12au7 types with high trans-conductance is the Telefunken ecc802s.
That's odd, I've measured the transconductance on hundreds of 12AU7 clear tops, and they have all been within specifications.
Amongst 12au7's the RCA Cleartops tend to measure higher than most within the accepted spec range. You can get other factory types that measure at the lower end of the scale. For example Cifte ecc82 long plates measure new as low as 1600 mark (these are NOS). Offcourse the Telefunken ecc802s has the highest trans conductance of the 12au7 tube type I have come across.
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