The B329 is what the A2900 should have been. The 2900 was way too in your face. Made my brain hurt lol. It was like every note was competing with each other. Great bass and details, but extremely over done. I suppose it would be a great fit if everything else in your entire chain was dark and boring lol. The B329 is more relaxed and Tele like, but a little meatier in the low end, more liquid than air like the Teles have. They both capture that majestic realism I look for. I put the 801s and B329 as my two favorites so far. If I had a gun to my head to chose only one it would be the Tele by a hair. Lol.
My triple micas were a little smoother and manageable than the 2 micas (which came in original boxes rolled in the tube 'toilet paper' wraps). The 3 micas were already burned in. The 2 micas had never seen the light of day. I sent them to Sammy for a preview too and he ultimately didn't dig them. He has a pair of GEC b329's though now, which he does seem to like. It's tough being an audiophile.
Can usually tell right away if I am going to keep a new pair of tubes, and my ears tell me not a keeper. Sucks the life right out of a pair of 57 Mullard Blackburn ECC82 in my LP. The Tele ECC82 are the best sounding Telefunken`s according to my ears. Think you will love them.
What's the GM on the A2900's compared to the Tele ECC82's? I've never heard the A2900's, but see a lot of comments about then being 'too much' or 'too strong.' Just wondering if the GM (output) has anything to do with it. Stabbing in the dark here obviously....
What's the GM on the A2900's compared to the Tele ECC82's? I've never heard the A2900's, but see a lot of comments about then being 'too much' or 'too strong.' Just wondering if the GM (output) has anything to do with it. Stabbing in the dark here obviously....
What's the GM on the A2900's compared to the Tele ECC82's? I've never heard the A2900's, but see a lot of comments about then being 'too much' or 'too strong.' Just wondering if the GM (output) has anything to do with it. Stabbing in the dark here obviously....
Sounds exactly like my 2 mica pair, now in AC's possession. I kept the 3 mica version. Incredibly revealing tubes. I was initially blown away by them but they didn't have staying power with me. They ultimately felt a bit TOO powerful, a bit too much in your face. Didn't have the richness and texture on my gear that the Tele Ecc801S's do. But obviously the synergy with your system is key. Many people consider the GEC A2900's heads and shoulders above all 12AT7 variants. Just wasn't on mine. Will be really curious to see how you digest them TK. I'mbettingyoulovethem.
Can usually tell right away if I am going to keep a new pair of tubes, and my ears tell me not a keeper. Sucks the life right out of a pair of 57 Mullard Blackburn ECC82 in my LP. Paid $300 for these and will have no problem making my money back if I sell them considering they are tested. May need some burn in time to get better for my ears. The Tele ECC82 are the best sounding Telefunken`s according to my ears. Think you will love them.
I put the blame on @jb77 , he predicted they would be my number 1 tube!
Not giving up hope yet, don't think these tubes were used at all. They were extremely hard to get them in the sockets, I understand the too much power statement. I do have the PCC88 Lorenz Stuttgart burning in my DAC, might have a different opinion with different DAC tubes or using my Gumby.
Can usually tell right away if I am going to keep a new pair of tubes, and my ears tell me not a keeper. Sucks the life right out of a pair of 57 Mullard Blackburn ECC82 in my LP. Paid $300 for these and will have no problem making my money back if I sell them considering they are tested. May need some burn in time to get better for my ears. The Tele ECC82 are the best sounding Telefunken`s according to my ears. Think you will love them.
I put the blame on @jb77 , he predicted they would be my number 1 tube!
Yeah the Tele smooth grey plate 12AX7 and 12AU7s sound really good. They are among my favs in that family of tubes for straight up 12AX7 and 12AU7s (tend to prefer the sound of the US made 5751s TM BPs and 5814s). I like the sound of the smooth plates much more than the ribbed plates which can sound a little strident and lifeless in the mids for my taste. I wasn't really a fan of the Tele 6922s I tried either, other than the typical large soundstage that Teles provide. They just sound too clinical for my tastes. Guess I just prefer warmer sound.
Been messing with volume attenuation on the MJ2 last couple hours for more play in volume control, seems promising. Don`t remember having a gain issue like this with Tesla 6CC41, but they are of a warmer sound signature.
Some new arrivals! Including one pair of really interesting triple mica black plate Brimars CV4024 12AT7WA date code LK with KB/FB following to identify that tube as being made in October 1955 at the STC, Footscray factory. Can’t make out the date code on the other tube but the tube appears to have the same KB/FB markings. The tubes also have a interesting getter. Will report back on how they sound later.
Yeah the Tele smooth grey plate 12AX7 and 12AU7s sound really good. They are among my favs in that family of tubes for straight up 12AX7 and 12AU7s (tend to prefer the sound of the US made 5751s TM BPs and 5814s). I like the sound of the smooth plates much more than the ribbed plates which can sound a little strident and lifeless in the mids for my taste. I wasn't really a fan of the Tele 6922s I tried either, other than the typical large soundstage that Teles provide. They just sound too clinical for my tastes. Guess I just prefer warmer sound.
The Tung-Sol 5814a is a very good sounding tube. It's sound is somewhat similar to the Telefunken 12AU7 in that is very linear, has great detail, and airy highs while still maintaining a somewhat warm midrange. Bass is good but certainly not on the same levels of the CBS-Hytron 5814 and RCA Triple Mica Black plate 5814 (which has the most bass I've heard of any tube in the 12AU7 family at the expense of high end extension and mid-bass mudiness). If you are looking to add top end extension and airyness to your setup, it's a great tube to try. Tonally I prefer it slightly to the Telefunken 12AU7, but the Tele has better imaging and soundstage. The CBS-Hyton is still my favorite 5814 however. It has great bass, beautiful mids, and smooth highs while still having above average detail and slam.
I have not tried a Siemens 3 mica 5814, but have tried a Siemens 3 mica 5751 and thought it was a very nice sounding tube with good extension in the highs, but it doesn't have the bass and slam that you get with the RCA, Sylvania, Raytheon, and GE triple mica black plate 5751s. The Sylvania TM BP 5751 has similar extension in the highs and detail as the Siemens, but with a sweeter mid-range and much firmer lows. Of course that's with my ears and equipment, ymmv.
Yes, yes of course you're correct. Poorly worded on my part to start with. My cogitation revolves around whether the higher gain has any significance in the overall sonic character of the tube. Is the 'new' holy grail 12AT7 (or derivative) with higher gain that just replaced the 'previous' holy grail 12AU7 (or derivative) with lower gain due to the tubes construction or provenance, or is the revised grail status a result of the higher gain in and of itself? Maybe that's worded even more poorly...or worse. And it's a question with no real answer I guess....but I'll continue to ponder whether gain affects preference....or is totally irrelevant.
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And it's a question with no real answer I guess....but I'll continue to ponder whether gain affects preference....or is totally irrelevant.