[UntilThen]

What a surprise. My TS 12sn7gt arrived. How did it get here so quickly from US?

Looks so new. Lettering in yellow.

It has the words Jan-Ctl-12sn7 and copper rods on top.

 

[JazzVinyl]

What a surprise. My TS 12sn7gt arrived. How did it get here so quickly from US?

Looks so new. Lettering in yellow.

It has the words Jan-Ctl-12sn7 and copper rods on top.

Mine says JAN-CTL12SN7GT
3228 52

1952?

The 322 is supposed to identify the manufacturer...322 = Tung Sol

 

[gibosi]

Mine says JAN-CTL12SN6GT
3228 52

1952?

I am assuming this is a TS Black Glass Round Plate? I don't think they were still making these as late as 1952... I would guess 8 = 1948 and 52 equal the week.

 

[UntilThen]

I am assuming this is a TS Black Glass Round Plate? I don't think they were still making these as late as 1952... I would guess 8 = 1948 and 52 equal the week.

Yes we both have the TS 12sn7gt black glass round plate but my numbering is not visible anymore. If it's 1948 that's a pretty old tube.

Mine is under going the mandatory cleaning and gold Deoxit before using it.

 

[JazzVinyl]

Yes we both have the TS 12sn7gt black glass round plate but my numbering is not visible anymore. If it's 1948 that's a pretty old tube.

Mine is under going the mandatory cleaning and gold Deoxit before using it.

1948! Even better

Mine is usable as is...looks like less than average use. It's nice and quiet.

My impression this far is that it is super smooth. Tons of deep deep bass. Handles the sound stage very differently from 6SN7W but I like it.

Using 6 pack of 6BL7, will switch to TS 5998's and see what's what.

 

[gibosi]

The BGRP were manufactured beginning in about 1942 through the late 1940's. So 1948 may well be one of the last ones. It was replaced with the mouse ears version. Here is a mouse ear's prototype, without the "ears", dated 1949.

 

[UntilThen]

1st listen with HD800. My go to headphone for tube evaluations.

First thought is super quiet !!! Bonus !!! Second thought is that this sounded very similar to the Tung Sol 6F8G bgrp with 5998. How different or similar that I can't quantify because this tone at present is imprinted in my mind.

Sound impressions.

Smooth and yet revealing. Rich and magical mids and bass done right. Not over emphasised nor weak. Great bass in fact. I would add lush but not creamy. Moist. Very linear. Very good tone with 5998.

Now for the obligatory photo and for @attmci , there are socket savers now.

 

[JazzVinyl]

Beautiful thick even bass. Has quite a bit more bass than 6SN7W. Somewhat less air around instruments than the Sylvania. But soundstage is wider, less tall on the BGRP, and that is a good thing. Perhaps less nuetral, warmer than 6SN7W as well but also a good trait in my book.

The bad thing: its addictive!
Want to hear everything as the TS 12SN7 BGRP interprets it!

 

[UntilThen]

Beautiful thick even bass. Has quite a bit more bass than 6SN7W. Somewhat less air around instruments than the Sylvania. But soundstage is wider, less tall on the BGRP, and that is a good thing. Perhaps less nuetral, warmer than 6SN7W as well but also a good trait in my book.

You describe it correctly. Accurate descriptions of the 2 wonderful sounding 6sn7.

I have the TS 12sn7gt bgrp paired with 6 x 6BL7, Cetron 6336b and Gec 6as7g. Just such a lovely sounding tube. I can't stop listening. I bend MrsXuLing's arm to give me a discount on 5 addtional gold plated octal savers.

 

[whirlwind]

1st listen with HD800. My go to headphone for tube evaluations.

First thought is super quiet !!! Bonus !!! Second thought is that this sounded very similar to the Tung Sol 6F8G bgrp with 5998. How different or similar that I can't quantify because this tone at present is imprinted in my mind.

Sound impressions.

Smooth and yet revealing. Rich and magical mids and bass done right. Not over emphasised nor weak. Great bass in fact. I would add lush but not creamy. Moist. Very linear. Very good tone with 5998.

Now for the obligatory photo and for @attmci , there are socket savers now.

Glad to see you threw some sockets savers in there
Great idea for those who roll tubes often.

You & JV enjoy those 12SN7GT Tung Sol BGRP
You both got a nice military approved tube also, built for the Army/Navy

 

[UntilThen]

I did a back to back with Tung Sol 6sn7gt mouse ears and Tung Sol 12sn7gt black glass round plates..... with good ole Cetron 6336b for powers duties.

The mouse ears went in first and I'm like .... 'this is great. What am I missing !' Clear and infectious bass. Then the black glass went in and the difference is not subtle. It's obvious. BGRP is like a delicate fabric, intricately woven. It's like Chatham 6as7g and Gec 6as7g kind of difference.

Kicking back and enjoying Tung Sol 12sn7gt bgrp with Cetron 6336b now. Good combination. Happy that this 12sn7 tube didn't cost a bomb and would be amongst my favourite drivers in GOTL for years to come.

 

[Sound Trooper]

Day 2 with the EL3N

I have about close to 20 hours on the amp now and I couldn’t be happier. The amp is dead silent and the chassis doesn’t feel hot. In fact, my audio-gd feels warmer to touch than the EL3N.

Da bass, it’s to die for. It’s very controlled and has a nice texture to it. So far, I feel the LCD-2 pairs very well with the EL3N and the bass on the Abyss gained another dimension as compared to the NFB1. The EL3N has plenty of power in 2 tube mode and drives the Abyss with authority. Another observation, the EL3N is really clean sounding. It sounds more like a big solid state amp than a tube amp.

 

[whirlwind]

No worries about this amp running hot...it is not going to happen

The rectifier gets a bit warm...but those EL3N tubes are the coolest running tubes , you can put your hand on the chassis and it will be cool/luke warm at most.

I am going to grab me another pair of planars at some point, because the Ori bass is wonderful with this amp.
I want more planar bass!

 

[Sound Trooper]

No worries about this amp running hot...it is not going to happen

The rectifier gets a bit warm...but those EL3N tubes are the coolest running tubes , you can put your hand on the chassis and it will be cool/luke warm at most.

I am going to grab me another pair of planars at some point, because the Oris bass is wonderful with this amp.
I want more planar bass!

Agreed! Even in hot Singapore (where the average temperature is 30degC) the EL3N runs only Luke warm.

Try the abyss, it’s the best bass I have ever heard.

 

[2359glenn]

Day 2 with the EL3N

I have about close to 20 hours on the amp now and I couldn’t be happier. The amp is dead silent and the chassis doesn’t feel hot. In fact, my audio-gd feels warmer to touch than the EL3N.

Da bass, it’s to die for. It’s very controlled and has a nice texture to it. So far, I feel the LCD-2 pairs very well with the EL3N and the bass on the Abyss gained another dimension as compared to the NFB1. The EL3N has plenty of power in 2 tube mode and drives the Abyss with authority. Another observation, the EL3N is really clean sounding. It sounds more like a big solid state amp than a tube amp.

Hi Sam
You will be supprised how good speakers sound on this little amp.
I did forget to put the HEXFRED in the box I will send that next week.
Here is a pic of the underside of your amp.