[John Massaria]

I know there is a lot of debate as to which is the best 12au7​

ECC82 or ECC802 or similar... we are not discussing E80CC since that tube does not work in so many amps- mine does not require the high current or gain of the E80cc so please stick to drop in ECC82 or ECC802s or 12AU7 etc experiences only.... thank you...

here is my experience so far...

AMP USED WAS A HEADPHONE CYPHER LABS PRAUTES​

★★★★ 1950s Raytheon 5814A -ECC82 12AU7- Black Plates, 3 Mica- An excellent silent tube with full body sound nothing really rounded off if anything its a little polite on higher end- the bass is tight and with a nice spread out sound stage and very nice bloom, right mix of wetness excellent- but but a tiny bit darker than the 5814A 1973 Long Plate- worthy of asking $ but not top tear when comparing it to 1970's 5814A by Siemens Germany - need more time with these

​

★★★★★+ 5814A Siemens Germany "long plates and triple mica" copper grid 1973 (74/75) one of my favorites so far from the Prautes worth every single gash darn penny- I weep at how organic and real this sounds- an addictive 3d image and stage and separation- articulate so far the winner of bunch​ ​ ★★★★★ BRIMAR England 1960 CV4003 12AU7WA 6189 ECC82​ A legendary tube possessing all the holographic magic of the Mullards CV4003 with a bit more detail. A full bodied sound. Excellent with lean headphones like HD600 or HD650 with a high ohm (150ohm or more) headphones and speakers. (STILL TESTING) RFT 12AU7/ECC82E. Germany, labeled for Haltron/England (STILL TESTING) 12AU7A ECC82 NOS GE made in U.S.A. (STILL TESTING) 12AU7A Tungsol NOS NIB made in U.S.A (STILL TESTING) RT (La RadioTechnique) 1960's 12AU7 France, short plates with O-getter (reported to be better than long plates which tend to be more muffled) (STILL TESTING) Pinnacle 13D5A Industrial Grade ECC82 12AU7 Toshiba Source (STILL TESTING) VALVO ECC82 Hamburg 1960, short plates, 45 degree-declined O-getter ★★★★★ Tesla ECC802S long plate Czechoslovakia yellow print 32 XD (1966)- a remarkable tube and one of the finest 12AU7's made for the money - very quiet and musical, close for details like a Siemens - but so far- what an amazing articulate Telefunken/Siemens want to be at a lower price- absolute gem! "The tubes sounds extremely good right from the get go, but opens up after burn in even more becoming very relaxed and superbly liquid. I think this is the main strength of the tube – it’s as musical, liquid as they come. Performers truly sing – this is one of the reasons, we all like tube equipment – because it sounds like music, not just like sound. Very tight and controlled bass with very transparent top." Long 10K Hr life- Low microphonics and noise- extremely rare in NOS like this... ★★★★★+ RCA 12AU7A Clear Top original "Hickok Elect. Instr. Co"- ​ "Here are the words you might have heard about this tube : Vivid, vibrant with high resolution, rich-full sound throughout the frequency range - all true" - One of the best in my bunch of tubes- best overall balanced musical experience. If I only had one tube to choose on a budget or not this could be it if I was listening to darker headphones a sure bet as well... a must own tube set... perfect synergy with my Kennerton GH50Mk2- quick and the most out of head experience and superb details with out one ounce of fatigue. Musical and accurate... breathes more life in the music and nearly equal detail to the Ray Samuels Apache XLR vs XLR. ★★★★ 1950's RCA Blackplate 12AU7 (CONN) - Incredible detail and micro dynamics, musical but a bit analytical nearly clinical- tempo and speed very tight. Bass seems neutral and mids and highs seems more detailed than any other tube I can recall here. An articulate experience - but honestly the Clear Top RCA I received sounds more musical and less fatiguing which should be the opposite here- a testament to each tube set will sound slightly different. ★★★★★+ Tungsram ecc82 red serial# printed on tube gray plate o getter 1960s-1976 Industrial Grade​ Industrial grade tubes were subject to rigorous test and burn in process. Faster and more Holographic than Tesla ECC802S. Amazing spread out width and 3 d landscape - very beautiful sound- neutral/natural sounding, it has a extended top end and tight bass - vocals on both female and male sound so delightful, no harshness yet still defined details. sooooo lush yet refined. Very good bass. Mid range is dreamy. Highs are spot on. This is a heavy weight tube and deserves the reputation it has as being jaw dropping good. (some weep to their knees I have read)... worthy of all the hype! I consider this top of the litter in many ways. Definitely in top 3 of this group so far. I am also testing different Quad (4) matched sets of 50L6GTs: NIB 1950 50L6GT GE CLEAR, NIB 1950 50L6GT RCA Black Coat NOS 1960 MATCHED 50L6GT 'Silver' Plated Sylvania ANOS 50L6GT 'Silver' Plated Philco NIB 50L6GT 'black coat' National Elctronics Universe more information on why glass is smoked or silver coated: "smoked glass", i.e. a uniform grey or black coating inside the glass, usually seen on tubes from roughly the 1930s to the mid 1970s. Some report the coating is designed to reduced secondary emission from electrons striking the (nonconductive) glass- When a tube is operating, excess electrons escape the plate structure and land on the glass, where they can build up a significant negative charge. This electrostatic field can then, in turn, affect the operation of the tube. The grey or black coating is made of graphite and equalizes the charge on the inside of the glass, reducing this effect.

 

[Elegiac]

Good read

I'm deciding between Valvo and Tungsram at the moment.

I've got a couple of these, and they sound very good:

Clear and detailed. And after breaking-in, an understated smoothness. Lively, snappy.

 

[Dawgfish]

I've tried many, many 12AU7 types and my personal favorites are 50s CBS Hytron 5814 Blackplates with d or horseshoe getters.

 

[John Massaria]

Good read

I'm deciding between Valvo and Tungsram at the moment.

I've got a couple of these, and they sound very good:


Clear and detailed. And after breaking-in, an understated smoothness. Lively, snappy.

I agree very good the red tips are slightly more detailed and quieter

 

[Elegiac]

I agree very good the red tips are slightly more detailed and quieter

East vs West, hahaha. Reading now. Well... yes. I can imagine these 'medical' tubes would perform to a high standard.

 

[ThanatosVI]

How did this thread not get a single reply in 7 months.
A great well of information!

 

[ic257]

New to the world of tubes. Anyone have any links/trusted sources to monitor for the above mentioned 12au7s?

 

[Elegiac]

New to the world of tubes. Anyone have any links/trusted sources to monitor for the above mentioned 12au7s?

Well, I'll tell you where I usually have a browse first: https://nesstone.com/product-category/vintage-nos-tubes/nos-preamp-tubes/nos-12au7-ecc82/
But you'll end up doing your own legwork. It's not that hard really, there are even good sellers on ebay. Knowing what you're looking for, and then, what you're looking at, is two thirds of the battle. I only know enough to get by, but I'm always learning more. Endless google searches and picking over info

 

[shafat777]

I recently upgraded my tube amp from a Schiit MJ2 to a Cayin HA6A. Now the 12at7 tubes that i used with my mj2 needs to be swapped out for 12au7 variants. Anyone got any suggestions as where to begin with 12au7 tubes?

 

[Scarydog]

Well, I'll tell you where I usually have a browse first: https://nesstone.com/product-category/vintage-nos-tubes/nos-preamp-tubes/nos-12au7-ecc82/
But you'll end up doing your own legwork. It's not that hard really, there are even good sellers on ebay. Knowing what you're looking for, and then, what you're looking at, is two thirds of the battle. I only know enough to get by, but I'm always learning more. Endless google searches and picking over info

Thanks for sharing this! “Knowing what you're looking for, and then, what you're looking at, is two thirds of the battle” flicked a switch in my brain. I am starting to fall down the rabbit hole. It feels like maybe the more you know the less it costs!

 

[Dawgfish]

I recently upgraded my tube amp from a Schiit MJ2 to a Cayin HA6A. Now the 12at7 tubes that i used with my mj2 needs to be swapped out for 12au7 variants. Anyone got any suggestions as where to begin with 12au7 tubes?

I always start with a CBS Hytron 5814 in any circuit calling for a 12AU7. Of course its equipment dependant but its a great all around tube. Raytheon windmill getter 5814s, Telefunken smooth plate 12AU7s, Mullard long plate 12AU7s, Amperex long plate 12AU7s, RCA black plate 12AU7s, RCA clear top 12AU7s, and various variants of Brimar 12AU7s are all great choices also.

 

[LanceSaintPaul]

I spent a couple of years selecting 12AU7's for a preamp. My number one pick was Brimar 13D5's.

 

[John Massaria]

I think it as the saying goes - about system matching and your wants and desires- for me I love the RCA clear tops for how reasonable they were and thought the Brimars too lush for my system- you an read more about my tube rolling here if you like https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/cypher-labs-prautes-headphone-amplifier.25706/reviews#review-27978

 

[mikicasellas]

I spent a couple of years selecting 12AU7's for a preamp. My number one pick was Brimar 13D5's.

Hi LanceSaintPaul,

Could you describe the sound signature of these Brimar 13D5 please ?, im just rolled two Tungsram e80cc on a Lampi DAC and did not like them: detailed, resolution, focused, balanced but dryer and almost analytical at least in my system, a lot less musical that the ones that came from factory

Looking for something with more texture, richness and luscious if also we added clean that would be super

These are on my list so far :

Sophia Electric 12AU7
Amperex e80cc
Philips miniwatt e80cc
Genalex Gold Lion ECC82 / B749 / 12AU7

Thank you
Miguel

-- By the way I have Brimar rectifier on the DAC

 

[Roasty]

i'm currently using 6x Mullard NOS 12au7 tubes in my preamp. Am considering trying some Amperex Bugle Boys. could anyone with experience with these tubes comment on the Bugle Boys?