sahmen
Headphoneus Supremus
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- Apr 6, 2014
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@sahmen
Here is a partial list of tubes that I use in my LP (w/o issue for me)
12AU7 variants
- Mullard Blackburn ECC82 long plate square getter UK B- factory code
- Mullard Blackburn goal post getter ECC82
- Brimar CV491/12AU7/ECC82 Long Plate Square Getter England 1958
- Valvo 12AU7 ECC82 Germany, Hamburg Made Tubes (GfO D9E), SlantedGetters
- Telefunken ECC82 Smooth Plates
- Siemens ECC82 Silver Chrome Plates 12AU7 [LP]
- Amperex Holland long plate foil D getter 7316 / 12au7 1958 (Beckman label)
- Amperex Holland long plate foil D getter 7316 / 12au7 (2 singles)
- Amperex PQ 7316 ECC186 12AU7 D Getter matching 461 codes
- Brimar ECC82 1970s HALO-DISC Getter Short Plate Mazda LABEL - Thorn-AEI - England
- Tesla (NOT JJ) 1975-82 Military Long PL. ECC802S prem. 12AU7
- RCA 12AU7 Black Plate Square getter 1957
- RCA 12AU7A Clear Tops Conn label
- CBS Hytron JHY 5814A/12au7 Black Plate, Bent rectangular Getter a8
- Sylvania JHS 5814WA/12AU7 Military Triple Mica Black plates code 5639B 312J
- Baldwin Raytheon 12AU7 long shiny black plates (6 pairs)
- Marconi MWT B329 ECC82 BRITISH MADE
All of the above are 12AU7 / variants that the Tubemonger adapters will work with in you LP
It depends on what type of sound signature you like but the Mullard Blackburn ECC82 long plate square getter UK B- factory code are phenomenal tubes however can be expensive. To help find the sound signature you like I would recommend trying:
1. Brimar ECC82 1970s HALO-DISC Getter Short Plate Mazda LABEL - Thorn-AEI - England
From Tubemonger as the are really good tubes for a reasonable price at $80 for a pair ($40 each tube)
https://www.tubemonger.com/MINT_NOS_BRIMAR_ECC82_12AU7_1970s_HALO_DISC_GT_p/1236.htm
And for a different sound signature try these
2. Tesla (NOT JJ) 1975-82 Military Long PL. ECC802S prem. 12AU7
https://www.tubemonger.com/Tesla_NOT_JJ_MINT_NOS_1975_82_ECC802S_Tall_PLCZ_p/1012.htm
Both of these tube are really good! As I have both and really like both for different reasons!
Hope this helps!
@jb77 : The list and suggestions are very helpful indeed. Thanks. As for my preferred sound signature : I listen to a lot of Jazz : all types, Classical, modern, avant-garde, even some fusion and blues. I also like some Classical, Acoustic music, some types of world music and other genres (but I'm not so much into techno, EDM, Trance, and genres that are close to those categories)... Accordingly, I like to hear each instrument, and its player, separately, preferably on a wide soundstage, with lots of "air," extension at both ends of the spectrum, and depth --the more 3d-like the better... Things work best if the retrieval of details (both macro and micro-details--or plankton) is great without sounding harsh, analytical, or fatiguing. Of course bass, which extends deep while retaining texture and punch is also welcome...
i do not expect a tube to do all of that by itself... I know my DAC and the LP also have a part to play in defining that desired sound signature, but I think those I have already do quite well. However, I never rule out the possibility that they can do even more with a little help from the right tubes...-- They already work quite well with some of tubes I already have, but I am hoping these 12AXX types will bring something new (and hopefully, even more exciting) to the table. I'm always hunting for better sound, but I am thinking that is what most enthusiasts always want, regardless of what they already have... I see that endless search both as the blessing and the downside of this hobby (although "downside" is probably too strong a word?)