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Absolutely floored by my new amp - RSA Raptor w/ Tube Rolling Impressions - Page 3

post #31 of 515
10/30/08 at 11:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
www.tubeworld.com

1 platinum tube $40) 12BH7A RCA black plates used/tests like new smeared white print "D" getter 1950's (12/12.3ma)

Buy this tube, it has amazing bass pressence and weight and the top end is very smooth. You will love it, especially with your 600s. This tube presents the most natural sounding bass I have ever listened too. Its taller than the 5687s too so it looks cool in the rear socket. I also bought an RCA clear top 12AU7, it also sounds very good, but its different, its more open in the highs and the bass weight is less.
You can buy the same 12BH7 new for $17 from Radiodaze. The tube will be unused nos, tested and guarenteed. I think they charge $1 to request a specific brand .... so $18.

I agree the 12BH7 is a sweet tube. Unfortunately, you guys cant use the 6GU7 which is the 6.3 volt equivalent of the 12BH7 and sounds just like the 12BH7 .... you can pick these up for as little as $4 each. I use the RCA/ Sylvania and made in Japan Raytheon 6GU7s for gain in several of my Singlepower amps, including my old chassis Supras. I love this tube.

Radio Daze

If you want a really good sounding 12AU7 equivalent try the CBS Hytron or Raytheon D getter /2 mica/ blackplate 5814 from the early 1950s.
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post #32 of 515
10/30/08 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
www.tubeworld.com

1 platinum tube $40) 12BH7A RCA black plates used/tests like new smeared white print "D" getter 1950's (12/12.3ma)

Buy this tube, it has amazing bass pressence and weight and the top end is very smooth. You will love it, especially with your 600s. This tube presents the most natural sounding bass I have ever listened too. Its taller than the 5687s too so it looks cool in the rear socket. I also bought an RCA clear top 12AU7, it also sounds very good, but its different, its more open in the highs and the bass weight is less.
I a 12BH7A a direct replacement for all components/amps that take a 12AU7? Sorry, I'm really new to tubes and I just don't want to mess anything up
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post #33 of 515
10/30/08 at 11:18am
If its a "12BH7A" then it will work. In fact it works better than the stock 12AU7, it was a recommendation by Ray Samuels in another thread somewhere. Just buy one, you will poo your pants when you hear how good it sounds. Make sure its an RCA.
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post #34 of 515
10/30/08 at 11:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sacd lover View Post
You can buy the same 12BH7 new for $17 from Radiodaze. The tube will be unused nos, tested and guarenteed. I think they charge $1 to request a specific brand .... so $18.

I agree the 12BH7 is a sweet tube. Unfortunately, you guys cant use the 6GU7 which is the 6.3 volt equivalent of the 12BH7 and sounds just like the 12BH7 .... you can pick these up for as little as $4 each. I use the RCA/ Sylvania and made in Japan Raytheon 6GU7s for gain in several of my Singlepower amps, including my old chassis Supras. I love this tube.

Radio Daze

If you want a really good sounding 12AU7 equivalent try the CBS Hytron or Raytheon D getter /2 mica/ blackplate 5814 from the early 1950s.
I dont see brands listed at Radio Daze, is it pot luck?
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post #35 of 515
10/30/08 at 12:47pm
So what does everyone like in the 5687 sockets and why?
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post #36 of 515
10/30/08 at 1:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
So what does everyone like in the 5687 sockets and why?

olblueyez, just curious, do you have a Raptor too? If so, what do you tube set do you run? I assume you got the RCA you recommended in your prev post?
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post #37 of 515
10/30/08 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by raffy View Post
I a 12BH7A a direct replacement for all components/amps that take a 12AU7? Sorry, I'm really new to tubes and I just don't want to mess anything up
The 12BH7A has the identical pinout = the connections are the same as the 12AU7. The 12BH7 will draw more heater current but the amp can reportedly, per the builder, accept the slightly higher heater draw without problems.

No the 12BH7 is not a direct replacement but the tube will work .... and the 12BH7 is a better sounding tube than the 12AU7 even setup sub-optimally. This may be because the 12BH7 has good synergy with the 5687???
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post #38 of 515
10/30/08 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
I dont see brands listed at Radio Daze, is it pot luck?
Read my post a little closer .....

I think they charge $1 extra to request a specific brand .... so $18.

I was ordering some tubes today and I verified that is true.

Also .... I like the Sylvania and Raytheon 12BH7 as well or better than the RCA. But, given the Raptor has a lean tonality the warmer RCA will probably match best
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post #39 of 515
10/30/08 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sacd lover View Post
The 12BH7A has the identical pinout = the connections are the same as the 12AU7. The 12BH7 will draw more heater current but the amp can reportedly, per the builder, accept the slightly higher heater draw without problems.

No the 12BH7 is not a direct replacement but the tube will work .... and the 12BH7 is a better sounding tube than the 12AU7 even setup sub-optimally. This may be because the 12BH7 has good synergy with the 5687???
Thanks, this is the info I wanted. You saved me a call to Ray
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post #40 of 515
10/30/08 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
So what does everyone like in the 5687 sockets and why?
I like Tung Sol D getter 5687s because they are clean, fast, dynamic and resolving without sounding lean. I like the Sylvania Gold Brand/ gold pin 5687 because they are fast, clear and possibly the most transparent sounding. I like the Raytheon square getter 5687 because the tube is warm and musical without being muffled, slow or rolled off. I like the GE 7044 because the tube is warm and mellow but surprisingly spacious and open sounding. I like the Amperex 7119 because the tube is brighter than the 5687s, very fast and dynamic .... and works great with a darker sounding headphone.

Personally, I use these in a couple Singlepower PPX3 SLAMs that are optimized for the 6CG7/6GU7 = 12BH7. Any of these tubes sound great. I always seem to prefer the TS Ds the best; although I really like the Sylvania GB too. The Sylvania GB is tough to find and cost the most of any 5687. I have around 12-14 and I may have the largest collection of these around?
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post #41 of 515
10/30/08 at 2:30pm
Is a 12BH7A a direct replacement for all components/amps that take a 12AU7? Sorry, I'm really new to tubes and I just don't want to mess anything up ....


12AU7 Substitutes:

CV10323, CV10666, CV4003, CV491, CV8155, CV8221, ECC82 12AU7A, 12AU7WA, 5814, 5814A, 5963, 6067, 6189, 6680, 6CC40, 7489, 7730, B329, B749, CK5814, CV3900, CV4016, CV9092, E2163, E82CC, ECC802, ECC802S, M8136
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post #42 of 515
10/30/08 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 
I went tube shopping today, I found local place that stocks 250,000+ tubes. Here's what I took home:
- 1950s RCA 12BH7A Black Long Plates (NOS)
- 1959 Amperex Holland 7316 (NOS)
- Valvo 12AU7 mislabled w/ Bugle Boy Logo (interesting looking tube) (Used)
- 1953 Tungsol 5687 (comes in GE box coz they were made for GE)

Olblueyez, good call on the RCA 12BH7A, they are my favorite of this batch. Good bass presence and nice smooth highs as described!
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post #43 of 515
10/30/08 at 9:39pm
Yeah, I was floored when I put that tube in. I wish we had a place like that around here. I got burned on Ebay a couple of times so I got pissed and decided to use Tubeworld, its expensive but you know exactly what your getting. Let me know about the others! Im just using the stock 5687s so far but im always looking for something nice with an open soundstage to compliment the thick sounding 12BH7A.
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post #44 of 515
10/30/08 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 
So far, the Amperex 7316 has shown it to be a really good gain tube. A little less forward than the Telefunken and airier. I decent match for the HD600s, takes a little edge out of the highs and adds a little bit low end push but not as good as the 12BH7A in this area. Nice balanced tube actually.
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post #45 of 515
10/30/08 at 11:47pm
I may have missed it buy you might want to contact Ray because the 12BH7A draws twice the current for the filament as the 12AU7. If the transformer handle this then fine but I would check.

edit: Never mind. I see that it is stated that it can handle the extra draw. Great, more options, which equates to more fun!

Roll on Garth, roll on.
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