Stealth - 12BH7A

[Audio Addict]

I had Ray take my Stealth back with him last weekend after the meet and upgrade it to better drive my HP-2s but he also optimized it for the 12AU7 tube instead of the 12AX7.

I was listening to it yesterday and it was sounding very good. However, today I put in the 12BH7A I bought on Audiogon

12BH7A

it seems to have become even more open and airy and the 12BH7A hasn't even broken in. Has even else had a similar experience with this tube? I wish I had bought all 3 pairs instead of 1.

 

[Len]

Careful with the 12BH7 in a 12AU7 application. The 12BH7 draws about twice as much current, and your transformer may not be able to handle this over time. I'd ask Ray to be safe.

That said, the two tubes have the same pin outs and share a lot of electrical similarities. I, too, much prefer the 12BH7 to any 12A*7 tube. I'm not so sure the pair you won is Sylvania manufacturered. They look more like Tung Sols rebranded Sylvania. No worries, as Tung Sol is a great tube ... better then the Sylvania 12BH7A (usually grey plates) IMHO. Tung Sol 12BH7 is very open and airy, though they may be lean in some applications.

 

[kevin gilmore]

The 12bh7 was used in many of the McIntosh tube amps as the driver
tube. Many think that some of the sound of these amplifiers are actually
do to that particular tube. It does in fact draw almost twice the fillament
current, and is also physically taller.

 

[Audio Addict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len Careful with the 12BH7 in a 12AU7 application. The 12BH7 draws about twice as much current, and your transformer may not be able to handle this over time. I'd ask Ray to be safe.

Thanks for the heads up. Ray indicates the tube works fine in either the Stealth or the Raptor.