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Looking to replace my worn out chinese 12at7's. Looking for a better tube than the sino's but not to expensive. I would like a warm sounding tube and of course I would like it to be very quiet.
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I found the Amperex 12AT7 with the orange globe print on the glass to be the best sounding to date. My experience included many '50s & '60s era US manufacture & Mullard with the 12AT7/ECC81 label.Building a few DIY amps & modifying other amps with the 12AT7 resulted in less than best sonics. Thus, I do not use a 12AT7 in any audio application as I believe that 12AT7 family of tubes to be a less than best choice for audio. However, circuits vary & perhaps I never found the right application with regard to the circuit design.
My 2 cents.
While the "12AT7 family" are not my favorite tubes either, I have come to believe that they are the best sounding of the 12AU/AT/AX-7 group, when properly utilized in a well-designed circuit. Also if you want a fairly high Gm and need the high-ish mu that are characteristic of the 12AT7, there are not a lot of other good choices. The ever popular 6DJ8/6922 comes to mind, but that one has its own sonic problems too.
The 50's black sqaure plate RCA 12AT7WA/6201 are very good sounding.
In fact, almost all the black square plates are very good sounding.
That include Brimar and Sylvenia Gold brand.
I've used in place of 12AU7 and 12AX7 tubes ( if the circuit allowed ) and these black squre plate 12AT7WA/6201/6060 tubes really sing.
Check the Tube Store and the Tube Depot and Parts Connexion for good tube selection and NOS.
The best sounding 12AT7s in the phono section of my MP1 were the Billington Gold selected gold pin E81CC-01, or something like that. Yes, those were made in China and had the same failing you noted - they don't last long. Last time I checked, Billington (in England) was still selling Chinese-made 12AT7 equivalents, but they no longer carried the specific tube type "E81CC-01". Those were so much better sounding than other 12AT7s I tried that I was/am willing to put up with their lack of longevity. Second best was Sylvania Gold pin 6201s. The Mullard CV4024, alluded to below, was really shrill in another application, but does sound good in the phono section, I agree.
I'm using Mullard CV-4024. They sound wonderful, and are not that expensive. They're available on eBay for under $20.00 ea from several sellers.HTH
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