Because it lacks dynamics and it sounds too rounded and slow. I have the same opinion.
So, got the pair of the brown base, non-metal 12J5WGT tubes in today and they are testing NOS, which is a delightful surprise
So, got the pair of the brown base, non-metal 12J5WGT tubes in today and they are testing NOS, which is a delightful surprise
Internal construction is actually a bit different - most notably, the square getter up top is significantly smaller on the brown base version, and, it only has a single support rod on, let's call it, the front facing (key facing front) side of the plate, rather than having a support rod on each side like the metal base version. Less notable, would be the 3 additional holes in the bottom mica on the brown base version, and glass being shorter bottle than the metal version (although the plates on each are what appears to be exactly same height). Finally, if you look closely under a light, you would notice that the plates are ever so slightly different, especially in regards to where the two holes on each side of the plates are - the brown base version the plates are significantly smoother/flatter on the top & bottom of each hole, and on the metal base version there seems to be what I can only describe as "tooling marks/imperfections" on the very edge of the plates, up and down it where you can see bare metal under the black plate. On the brown base versions, none of that. The differences in construction are there, although, very similar.
The pair of metal tubes show they were made in 37th week of 1962 (62-37 printed on the bases), however, I am unsure what date the brown bases were made, as their date code is slightly different - simply printed as "2-13" - my initial guess is this mean 13th week of 1952, but someone correct me if I am wrong. Also, the brown bases have the US anchor symbol on them, which I assume means they were intended for the US Navy. Again, correct me if I am wrong here.
Now to the sound comparison - first, each of these versions are easily my favorite two Raytheon tubes I have ever tried - For my taste, I typically find RT tubes a bit thin and dry sounding, but these are not that at all.
Their SQ is similar, as one might expect (similar amount of lows, mids, highs), however, the brown bases imo have more warmth to them, noticeably so, or what people refer to as "tube sounding". The metal bases are more analytical and accurate, where the brown bases are not, but they make all that up and then some in the warm and smooth sound presentation they provide. The soundstage is similar, with the edge going to the brown base version, but not significantly so. If I had to choose just one, I would personally prefer the brown bases over the metal bases, however, both are very good sounding, there is no slouch between the two. I am quite confident there would be others that would find the metal bases with the edge in the precise/accurate/analytical department more pleasing, especially when that does NOT mean solid state sounding, as it still provides that nice warm tube sound in its own right.
Unfortunately, I do not have any of the 6J5WGT versions of this tube, so wouldn't be able to confirm if each sound the same between the 6.3v and 12.6v versions, but I would think they would for the most part.
I really do like the brown base versions quite a bit. Would love to have another quad for posterity. I actually have twin different shades, some of the redder like pictured above and some that are just plain old brown. Haven’t heard any difference. In fact I have mixed them in my preamp at the same time. Don’t tell the audiophile police!So, got the pair of the brown base, non-metal 12J5WGT tubes in today and they are testing NOS, which is a delightful surprise
Internal construction is actually a bit different - most notably, the square getter up top is significantly smaller on the brown base version, and, it only has a single support rod on, let's call it, the front facing (key facing front) side of the plate, rather than having a support rod on each side like the metal base version. Less notable, would be the 3 additional holes in the bottom mica on the brown base version, and glass being shorter bottle than the metal version (although the plates on each are what appears to be exactly same height). Finally, if you look closely under a light, you would notice that the plates are ever so slightly different, especially in regards to where the two holes on each side of the plates are - the brown base version the plates are significantly smoother/flatter on the top & bottom of each hole, and on the metal base version there seems to be what I can only describe as "tooling marks/imperfections" on the very edge of the plates, up and down it where you can see bare metal under the black plate. On the brown base versions, none of that. The differences in construction are there, although, very similar.
The pair of metal tubes show they were made in 37th week of 1962 (62-37 printed on the bases), however, I am unsure what date the brown bases were made, as their date code is slightly different - simply printed as "2-13" - my initial guess is this mean 13th week of 1952, but someone correct me if I am wrong. Also, the brown bases have the US anchor symbol on them, which I assume means they were intended for the US Navy. Again, correct me if I am wrong here.
Now to the sound comparison - first, each of these versions are easily my favorite two Raytheon tubes I have ever tried - For my taste, I typically find RT tubes a bit thin and dry sounding, but these are not that at all.
Their SQ is similar, as one might expect (similar amount of lows, mids, highs), however, the brown bases imo have more warmth to them, noticeably so, or what people refer to as "tube sounding". The metal bases are more analytical and accurate, where the brown bases are not, but they make all that up and then some in the warm and smooth sound presentation they provide. The soundstage is similar, with the edge going to the brown base version, but not significantly so. If I had to choose just one, I would personally prefer the brown bases over the metal bases, however, both are very good sounding, there is no slouch between the two. I am quite confident there would be others that would find the metal bases with the edge in the precise/accurate/analytical department more pleasing, especially when that does NOT mean solid state sounding, as it still provides that nice warm tube sound in its own right.
Unfortunately, I do not have any of the 6J5WGT versions of this tube, so wouldn't be able to confirm if each sound the same between the 6.3v and 12.6v versions, but I would think they would for the most part.
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I have a pair just like those that I picked up recently as well. Whats the concensus on these? Tung Sol or Sylvania rebrand?Got these a few weeks ago. Couldn’t wait and got them straight into the amp, very nice! Finally took them out yesterday and got some pics.
