[AuditoryCanvas]

Ok guys and this isn’t just for TK. Any and everyone chime in please. First you guys get me into the Foton 3X, even the Reflrktor 3X, 6C8G and many others. I like all of them Immensely especially for the cost of a pair.

Now everyone is on the 12AU7 and 12AX7 train.

So how does the12A and U variant, price to performance, compare to the Foton 3x?
I can’t shell out the funds like you all are doing now with these high end tubes. I’d like to stay within my wheelhouse on the cheap. Also, is the Foton 3X obsolete in your opinions now and you’re willing to give up on them or do you still like them enough, even though theres a new hot potato tube everyone is going after now.

Any comparisons and opinions would
most definitely be welcomed and appreciated. Help a Brother out with his lack of buying tubes lately addiction.
I’m broke but got to feed the need.

The main ones are the 12at7 and 12au7 variants. The 12ax7 are more expensive, and the amplification factor might make them a little too signal hot for Schiit amps.

Price to performance is excellent. They blow all the 6922 variants out of the water in my opinion. That's not to say I don't still have a handful of 6922 favorites that I won't sell.

Compared to the Foton 3x, they're as sweet, but more of it, and a bigger and deeper soundstage. I still love the 3x, and won't be selling mine any time soon. But I am enjoying certain 12at7 variants much more. Namely, Valvo 6201, Telefunken ECC801s, Heerlen 7062 PW, and Tung-Sol 12at7wa. There are also several others that are great, including the side getter clear top RCAs.

I have several pairs of variants and more on the way, so if you want to PM me your budget, I'll make some recommendations within that, and send them over. If you don't like/rate them, or don't feel they're worth the cost, and want to just stick with the Fotons, you can return them for a full refund.

 

[TK16]

The main ones are the 12at7 and 12au7 variants. The 12ax7 are more expensive, and the amplification factor might make them a little too signal hot for Schiit amps.

Price to performance is excellent. They blow all the 6922 variants out of the water in my opinion. That's not to say I don't still have a handful of 6922 favorites that I won't sell.

Compared to the Foton 3x, they're as sweet, but more of it, and a bigger and deeper soundstage. I still love the 3x, and won't be selling mine any time soon. But I am enjoying certain 12at7 variants much more. Namely, Valvo 6201, Telefunken ECC801s, Heerlen 7062 PW, and Tung-Sol 12at7wa. There are also several others that are great, including the side getter clear top RCAs.

I have several pairs of variants and more on the way, so if you want to PM me your budget, I'll make some recommendations within that, and send them over. If you don't like/rate them, or don't feel they're worth the cost, and want to just stick with the Fotons, you can return them for a full refund.

These are the TS's?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Real-De...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[gardibolt]

The AU variants have much lower gain, so that may be an issue. I've preferred the AT versions. The clear top RCA organ pulls at $24/pair are a cheap and effective way to try them out but you also have to invest in yet more adapters, so...

The Foton triple micas are still terrific tubes, but the best of the 12A*7 family are right up there with them. The Fotons are by no means to be discarded. If they're good for you, I don't see a need to hop on this train too, unless you just want to try more flavors (which is my problem). And anyone who missed out on the Foton triples certainly should consider these as upgrades to whatever they are running.

 

[gardibolt]

These are the TS's?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Real-Deal-1950s-Tung-Sol-12AT7-WA-Preamp-Tubes-Many-Matched-Pair-Date-Codes/223069189228?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

That's too many tubes for me to absorb but I'd be interested in joining a group buy of them to get one or two pair.

 

[AuditoryCanvas]

The AU variants have much lower gain, so that may be an issue. I've preferred the AT versions. The clear top RCA organ pulls at $24/pair are a cheap and effective way to try them out but you also have to invest in yet more adapters, so....

The U work better on high gain on the mj2

 

[AuditoryCanvas]

These are the TS's?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Real-Deal-1950s-Tung-Sol-12AT7-WA-Preamp-Tubes-Many-Matched-Pair-Date-Codes/223069189228?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Yeah. The WA versions are better than the standard ones.

 

[gardibolt]

The U work better on high gain on the mj2

Yes, same for the Lyr2. AT family is mostly better on low gain.

 

[koover]

The main ones are the 12at7 and 12au7 variants. The 12ax7 are more expensive, and the amplification factor might make them a little too signal hot for Schiit amps.

Price to performance is excellent. They blow all the 6922 variants out of the water in my opinion. That's not to say I don't still have a handful of 6922 favorites that I won't sell.

Compared to the Foton 3x, they're as sweet, but more of it, and a bigger and deeper soundstage. I still love the 3x, and won't be selling mine any time soon. But I am enjoying certain 12at7 variants much more. Namely, Valvo 6201, Telefunken ECC801s, Heerlen 7062 PW, and Tung-Sol 12at7wa. There are also several others that are great, including the side getter clear top RCAs.

I have several pairs of variants and more on the way, so if you want to PM me your budget, I'll make some recommendations within that, and send them over. If you don't like/rate them, or don't feel they're worth the cost, and want to just stick with the Fotons, you can return them for a full refund.

Thank you kindly. Great info and advice as this will help me.
I also appreciate the offer bro!

 

[AuditoryCanvas]

Thank you kindly. Great info and advice as this will help me.
I also appreciate the offer bro!

I can include a pair of adapters too so you can try without waiting for ages, and just send them back when you receive yours if you decide to keep the tubes.

 

[AuditoryCanvas]

Here's the compatibility chart again just in case anyone needs it. There are more, that's as far as I got...

YES for Lyr 2 and MJ2:

12AT7/ECC81/E81CC - 300ma
12AU7/ECC82/E82CC - 300ma
12AX7/ECC83/E83CC - 300ma
6201/ECC801s - 300ma
7062/E180CC - 400ma
7025 - 300ma
7728 - 300ma
7729 - 300ma
6681 - 300ma
5751 - 350ma
6211- 300ma
6679 - 300ma

NO for Lyr 2 and MJ2, should be fine in Lyr 1 (lucky fkrs):

12AZ7 - 450ma
12AD7 - 450ma
12AV7 - 450ma
5965 - 450ma
6085/E80CC - 600ma
6965 - 450ma
6414 - 450ma
6829 - 450ma

 

[bcowen]

The main ones are the 12at7 and 12au7 variants. The 12ax7 are more expensive, and the amplification factor might make them a little too signal hot for Schiit amps.

Price to performance is excellent. They blow all the 6922 variants out of the water in my opinion. That's not to say I don't still have a handful of 6922 favorites that I won't sell.

Compared to the Foton 3x, they're as sweet, but more of it, and a bigger and deeper soundstage. I still love the 3x, and won't be selling mine any time soon. But I am enjoying certain 12at7 variants much more. Namely, Valvo 6201, Telefunken ECC801s, Heerlen 7062 PW, and Tung-Sol 12at7wa. There are also several others that are great, including the side getter clear top RCAs.

I have several pairs of variants and more on the way, so if you want to PM me your budget, I'll make some recommendations within that, and send them over. If you don't like/rate them, or don't feel they're worth the cost, and want to just stick with the Fotons, you can return them for a full refund.

Any of you guys tried an Amperex 7316 yet (12AU7 spec)? Have several of the tubes but no adapter and wondering whether it's worth procurement.

 

[AuditoryCanvas]

Any of you guys tried an Amperex 7316 yet (12AU7 spec)? Have several of the tubes but no adapter and wondering whether it's worth procurement.

I haven't tried them, but I do recommend getting the adapters

 

[bcowen]

I haven't tried them, but I do recommend getting the adapters

Not sure if it's due to old age and senility or just having too many f'ing adapters, but apparently I already had one. Glad I looked before ordering...for once.

I'll give it a listen.

 

[AuditoryCanvas]

Think any of these will work with adapters?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-RS291...870510?hash=item43fcaaf2ae:g:FNIAAOSw44BYfOSS

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-LV30-...470155?hash=item465c31ad0b:g:zPUAAOSwjDZYd9zu

 

[kolkoo]

Ok guys and this isn’t just for TK. Any and everyone chime in please. First you guys get me into the Foton 3X, even the Reflrktor 3X, 6C8G and many others. I like all of them Immensely especially for the cost of a pair.

Now everyone is on the 12AU7 and 12AX7 train.

So how does the12A and U variant, price to performance, compare to the Foton 3x?
I can’t shell out the funds like you all are doing now with these high end tubes. I’d like to stay within my wheelhouse on the cheap. Also, is the Foton 3X obsolete in your opinions now and you’re willing to give up on them or do you still like them enough, even though theres a new hot potato tube everyone is going after now.

Any comparisons and opinions would
most definitely be welcomed and appreciated. Help a Brother out with his lack of buying tubes lately addiction.
I’m broke but got to feed the need.

It's all just hype and trying something new for me. I have nearly all 6922 variants and nearly all 2C51 variants, I prefer my best 6922 over the best 2C51s.
The 12AT7 so far I am listening to sound quite great but I am not yet jumping to conclusions, however if I look back I could've just stopped at a few 6922 pairs and call it a day, the improvements are marginal at best as you know.

I am on the 12AT7 hype train atm for this reason:
The 12AT7 started producing earlier than my favorite 6922 variants so I am able to obtain for a reasonable price some earlier construction types that are unobtainable for the 6922s. And they sound quite good to me as well!
So it's more of a collector/hobby thing for me nowadays and not so much finding unbelievable improvements. That being said I am liking what I'm hearing so far with the 12AT7 but I reserve judgement for later after I have had a bit more of them