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Tubeheads - what's up with these tubes?

post #1 of 7
10/19/09 at 9:07pm
Thread Starter 
Look at the picture:



Can two tubes, same brand & type, have such different looking parts inside?

On Ebay: GOLD AERO ECC82/12AU7 PAIR PHONO MC TUBES - eBay (item 230386558127 end time Oct-14-09 17:17:21 PDT)
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post #2 of 7
10/19/09 at 9:33pm
Nope. Either they are from different eras (and thus different production designs), or they aren't the same tube.
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post #3 of 7
10/19/09 at 9:58pm
They may have switched production design along the way so one is the older model and one is the newer one. So they might both be the same brand, but with different designs.
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post #4 of 7
10/19/09 at 10:30pm
To my knowledge, Gold Aero did not manufacture tubes themselves. They bought tubes from various manufacturers around the world including NOS, sorted and tested them to their specifications. Same as what RAM Labs does.

So in your photo, these 2 tubes appear to come from different manufacturers.

Do note that for a specific model tube, there can be different constructions. For example, I've seen the 6SL7 with flat and cylindrical plate structures.
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post #5 of 7
10/19/09 at 11:05pm
The one on the left is RFT-Germany made. I can't really identify the one on the right, but it's a more traditional-looking 12AU7.
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post #6 of 7
10/19/09 at 11:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
The one on the left is RFT-Germany made. I can't really identify the one on the right, but it's a more traditional-looking 12AU7.
The one on the right looks like a Sylvania or GE (crimped gray plates, round getter).

Sky would you say that RFT is half decent or just average ? That's a really odd getter assembly. Was it that getter assembly that clued you in to the make by any chance ?

Peete.
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post #7 of 7
10/20/09 at 8:31am
Yep, it was the getter assembly that gave it away, but the holes in the plates are also very indicative of RFT.

IMO, it's the most clinical sounding 12AU7 there is. If you like that sort of sound, then they're great
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