Author Topic: 12AU7 Tubes  (Read 48556 times)

Bigfish8

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12AU7 Tubes
« on: October 26, 2007, 04:59:40 PM »
Guys:

I know that many of you have done some tube rolling in preamps.  I am wondering what you have found to be your favorite 12AU7 Tubes? 

Thanks,

Ken

Offline Bunky

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2007, 06:54:32 PM »
My favorite 12AU7 is my pair of circa 1962 Amperex Holland ECC186/7316 PQ's.They are expensive but they are really nice tubes  :drool:. thanks....WCW III
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Offline bpape

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2007, 07:05:21 PM »
In my preamp, I use 1960 vintage RCA Blackplates.  I find them to be the right balance between warmth and detail - not too much of either but enough of both.

Bryan
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Bigfish8

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2007, 07:30:16 PM »
Well guys, I have been waiting 3 weeks for Vintage Tubes to send me a pair of Mullards.  I am getting tired of waiting so I will probably cancel the order tomorrow and order something from the Tube Depot.  Changing from the Straley SCs to the HT Pro 9s made a big difference in the soundstage and detail from my system.  I am looking forward to trying some tubes other than the JJ Teslers than were supplied in the Candela.

Thanks Again,

Ken

Offline Bunky

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2007, 03:34:10 AM »
Hey Ken,Audiojerry who used to post over at AC refered me to a tube dealer named Bruce Wenger from northern Va.Bruce has some very fine tubes available. www.bws-tube.com
« Last Edit: October 27, 2007, 03:38:06 AM by Bunky »
Remember, information is not knowledge; knowledge is not wisdom; wisdom is not truth; truth is not beauty; beauty is not love; love is not music; music is the best.
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rosconey

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2007, 10:34:54 AM »
i dont like the euro sound in my candela -

old american tubes sound much better to me-cbs/hytron 5814wa is a real nice one as are the old tubes made for organs -

Offline richidoo

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2007, 12:34:55 PM »
I'm with Bryan, I like the detail of RCA clear tops. But they still add some tube glory, but just a touch.

Offline Bunky

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2007, 12:56:32 PM »
i dont like the euro sound in my candela -

old american tubes sound much better to me-cbs/hytron 5814wa is a real nice one as are the old tubes made for organs -
I have tried the JJ  12AU7's,CV4003 Mullards,CBS Hytron 5814's and the Amperex 7316's.The CBS 5814 wa's are my second favorite 12AU7 tube. :)
Remember, information is not knowledge; knowledge is not wisdom; wisdom is not truth; truth is not beauty; beauty is not love; love is not music; music is the best.
-- Frank Zappa

Offline mboldda1

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2007, 07:18:14 PM »
here are some 12au7's that sound great in my belles preamp.  cbs/hytron 5814wa, rca 5814 command series, rca 5814 blackplates, raytheon 12au7 blackplates, brimar 13d5
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LKdog

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2007, 09:33:11 PM »
I use an Audio Mirror PP1 preamp and have tried a bunch of 12AU7 tubes in the past year.

My favorites are:

Amperex 7316
CBS Hytron 5814wa

The Amperex are quite balanced, smooth, and extremely clear.
The CBS Hytrons have nice punch, clarity, and are a bit more rich sounding.
Both great tubes IMO.

Offline rollo

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2007, 09:04:02 AM »
For me its Amperex with orange globe label and RCA Cleartops.


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Bigfish8

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2007, 01:43:11 PM »
Guys:

Thanks for all of the tube recommendations.  If I am going to tube roll I guess I should try a couple of different models versus the JJ Teslers. 

Thanks Again,

Ken

BillC

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2007, 04:19:46 PM »
I just snagged a pair of NOS Brimar's and they sound fantastic. 

I had not used these before, so I am very pleasantly surprised. 

Very clear, clean, and well balanced.

floobydust

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2007, 07:25:02 PM »
 I have quite a few 12AU7 types which also include the 5814A variation. The better Euro stuff IMHO was the Telefunken and Mullard types (marked as ECC82)... both excellent but most seem to prefer the smooth plate versions of the Telefunken. Many of the later Amperex 12AU7 and 12AX7 has really smallish plates in larger diameter glass... never really cared for them. The older Bugle Boys were really nice.

 In the US, you have many to choose from, Sylvania (later ECG-philips), RCA, GE, Tung-Sol... Heinz Kaufman and others. I have sourced numerous NOS ECG-philips JAN 5814A tubes and they are excellent. I also have many RCA black plate 5814A tubes and some GEs as well, but I prefer the RCA over the GE, and as already noted, RCA cleartops (named as their getter is attached to one plate on the side). RCA also had the Command series which was a more rugged and better spec tube intended for broadcast use. GE had their 5-star series which was the same. The broadcast series usually had triple mica spacers... and better microphonic specs.

 In general, I tend to prefer the sound of Telefunkens in preamps, second to Mullard. They do very well in a properly designed unit and low-level signals. For power amp usage (my 45 and 2A3 SET designs use a 5814A) I prefer either the RCA Black Plate or JAN ECG-philips. Both are very open and neutral... the Mullards sounded a bit muted actually.

 Regards, KM

carusoracer

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Re: 12AU7 Tubes
« Reply #14 on: November 19, 2007, 12:56:10 PM »
I have played around extensively with the 12AU7 family. My favorites:

Mullard 10M Gold Pin ECC82 62'-63'    Does not sound like any Mullard I have heard, lots of low level detail,big soundstage and sweet midrange w/extended highs.

Early 50's Raytheon BlackPlate Sq Getter,Triple Mica 5814 Red Lettering  Rich sound and very smooth.

Mid to late 50's Valvo/Hamburg ECC82 Huge soundstage and great balance.

I found that I tend to like early 50' and 60's tubes espcially with square getter.