The energetic 12AU7

Posted by Bambi B (A) on February 15, 2007 at 07:51:51

In Reply to: You have expressed my same aim Sir ! posted by beppe61 on February 15, 2007 at 00:06:25:

Beppe61,

It's difficult to make an exact prediction of the qualities a particular tube will exhibit in various places.

It seems to me the 5814A is consistently the more energetic 12AU7 variant. And the most energetic I've tried is the Siemens triple mica 5814A. While very "fast" and almost percussive it maintains wonderful detail and openness. I like a particular kind of bass that is strong, but very transparent and has a natural timbre- a double bass sounds very distinct from say an organ, and the Siemens is very refined in this respect.

The other choice might be the RCA "cleartop" or sidegetter 12AU7. I've never tried this one in a modern preamplifier, but it is certainly a tube with a strong character. Some have commented the RCA cleartop as being a bit bright on the top end, but it may suit you as it's fast and the top end is strong but not harsh. This is why I like it so much for sleepy old McIntosh. The cleartop is fortunately quite common and NOS are not terribly expensive, so you could try it for comparison.

Finally, if you can find a good one at a reasonable price, the Amperex 7316 (or ECC186) is probably really the best balance between very fast and dynamic and still very natural and open. There are two or three slightly different ones with the early D-getter, long plate considered the best sounding. The 7316 is expensive now, but again a you are using only one, the $40-100 might be well worth the price.

I would say that a typical Sylvania 12AU7 will be going somewhat opposite to your intention- it will be a bit softer and more forgiving. The Sylvania JAN 5814A- late 60's grey plate though is probably under-rated, not bad at all- quite good for someone after a bargain. The Mullard ECC82 is, to me, a tube with great mid range but not particulary energetic. This is true of a typical Philips ECC82 like your Miniwatt- these are very well balanced and seem to work well everywhere, and are nicely neutral.

Certainly, I would try every 12AU7 that is at hand- the Sylvania Miniwatt, and Mullard, and this will gain some experience in the various sounds these tubes make. I think of tubes a bit like vintage wine- to narrow the desirable ones from so many choices, a person has to try a lot of kinds with various music and develop a memory for the small differences in sound.

Cheers,

Bambi B

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - beppe61 23:42:41 02/13/07 (32)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - Catch22 12:44:32 02/15/07 (3)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - beppe61 23:33:41 02/15/07 (2)

Phono stage 12AX7s- you should keep the sockets filled - Bambi B 10:25:01 02/16/07 (1)

Re: Phono stage 12AX7s- you should keep the sockets filled - beppe61 11:08:58 02/16/07 (0)

The schematic should be that in the link. - beppe61 03:10:35 02/15/07 (1)

W R O N G !!!!!!!!!!!! It is not that one. Sorry ! - beppe61 03:23:00 02/15/07 (0)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion for the more energetic 12au7 tube. - beppe61 00:12:27 02/15/07 (0)

Suggerimenti per vario 12AU7 - Bambi B 08:27:44 02/14/07 (5)

Thank you very much Sir .. my present 12au7 is National - beppe61 08:37:34 02/14/07 (4)

National 12AU7 and the collecting experience - Bambi B 10:01:28 02/14/07 (3)

You have expressed my same aim Sir ! - beppe61 00:06:25 02/15/07 (2)

The energetic 12AU7 - Bambi B 07:51:51 02/15/07 (1)

Re: The energetic 12AU7 - beppe61 10:45:59 02/15/07 (0)

Re: 12AU7 vs 12AX7 Careful! - Chris O 08:07:05 02/14/07 (3)

Re: 12AU7 vs 12AX7 Careful! - beppe61 08:23:37 02/14/07 (2)

Re: 12AU7 vs 12AX7 Careful! - Tre' 22:17:06 02/14/07 (1)

Re: 12AU7 vs 12AX7 Careful! - beppe61 00:09:50 02/15/07 (0)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - fatbottle 06:53:07 02/14/07 (10)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - beppe61 00:16:24 02/15/07 (4)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - fatbottle 00:34:53 02/15/07 (3)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - beppe61 00:51:10 02/15/07 (2)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - fatbottle 01:00:04 02/15/07 (1)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - beppe61 02:35:23 02/15/07 (0)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - Tre' 07:36:54 02/14/07 (4)

Re: 12AU7 as a buffer - suggestion of brand/model. - fatbottle 07:47:36 02/14/07 (3)

Try one 7062/E180CC or 5965 or a 6414 - Frihed89 08:31:02 02/14/07 (2)

Re: Try one 7062/E180CC or 5965 or a 6414 - beppe61 00:14:46 02/15/07 (1)

No - Frihed89 05:55:32 02/15/07 (0)

A 12ax7 is not a direct sub for a 12au7. Try a good vintage tube like ... - PureAudio 05:09:34 02/14/07 (3)

Re: A 12ax7 is not a direct sub for a 12au7. Try a good vintage tube like ... - beppe61 05:55:09 02/14/07 (2)

beppe: If it was me and I wanted to experiment with tube 'flavors', I'd ... - PureAudio 06:16:59 02/14/07 (1)

Re: beppe: If it was me and I wanted to experiment with tube 'flavors', I'd ... - beppe61 00:23:41 02/15/07 (0)

Follow Ups

The energetic 12AU7 - Bambi B 07:51:51 02/15/07 (1)

Re: The energetic 12AU7 - beppe61 10:45:59 02/15/07 (0)

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