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I usually post in vinyl asylum but since this is a tube question, here I am.
I have a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum amp and am thinking of replacing the stock 5814a tubes. A few days ago I replaced the two stock ECC 803S tubes with a couple of NOS Syvania 7025s and liked what I heard. Now I'm thinking that maybe I should replace the 3 stock 5814a as well. My question is: Is it worth seeking out 'better' 5814a(12au7) tubes?
Thank you in advance for any advice!!
The whole problem with the world is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell
The whole problem with the world is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell
Follow Ups:
One more opinion. I have tried most 12au7 and 5814s. I always go back to RCA Black Plate red tips 5814 pulled from an organ. They have excellent clarity/resolution, frequency extension and good tone. In general I prefer 5814s over 12au7s in the gain stage of my line preamp. GE 5814 back plates come in a close second. I find the other 5814 brands to be a little more on the warmer side in case that is what you are seeking.
Found these 3 boxes of RCA 5814A in a large box of various NOS tubes I bought at a warehouse a while back. I will give these a try a see how they sound.
The whole problem with the world is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell
nt
The whole problem with the world is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell
I liked the Raytheon 5814 pictured above when I used a pair in an Audio Note M1 pre-amp. Another favorite was the Amperex Orange Globe 12AU7 made in Great Britain. I believe they were made by Mullard.
REAL Genelex Gold Lion ECC82 B749.
Love the GE 5 Star and they have performed very well in any 12au7 application that I have tried. Nice balanced sound, rugged and quiet.
But the Genelex B749 are an order magnitude better. I pulled a set of nearly new tubes from an HK tube receiver. They all tested at 90%+ with matched sections. Heavenly sound. Clarity, extension, quiet background- ticked all of the buttons so to speak. If the reissues sound anything close then they too would be good tubes to try.
The 12au7 is among the most common of all tubes. Most are dirt cheap, and I am sure there are more than a few under rated tubes out there. Much fun in trying and listening.
Good Luck !
If the preamp section of the Cronus is a cathode follower circuit, swapping tubes will make little, if any, audible difference in what you hear. In that case, just make sure you have 12AU7 type that tests strong. This is a pretty common preamp circuit in integrated amps.
There are several good NOS (or lightly used) 12AU7/ECC82 and compatible tubes in the market. Generally 17mm long plate tubes are mostly better than short plate ones.I prefer RCA clear top 12AU7 (when the original sound is a little "dark", this tube make a little "shine").
US: black plate Raytheon 12AU7 (from 60's), 5814, 5963, 6189...
European variations:
NOS TelefunkenECC82, Siemens -nickel plate- ECC82, Telefunken 6201, CV4003 Mullard,ECC186, Mazda 12AU7a etc.The Telefunken ECC802s is in my wish list, but the price....
Now I use Tungsram E80CC in the ECC82 positions. The heater current is larger, but the tone is excellent.
Edits: 12/27/16
I have a pair of RCA 3 mica 5814A - one is very nice in my Cronus' preaMP SPOT.
I like the Sylvania 7025s, and I also like Raytheon 5814 tubes (I don't remember exact designations)...
is the black plate, square getter CBS-Hytron 5418A. Unfortunately, hard to find good ones, these days.
Raytheon 5418A tubes are very good, too.
I believe these tubes are listed on ebay as Pennicle. They are Brimar 13D5 and take top spot for best sounding 12AU7 or 5814.
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