12au7 tube?


Looking for a good 12au7 (JJ ecc802s currently). I know the Telefunken ECC802s is the holy grail, but it comes at a price that is just too steep for me to justify. Many will recommend Mullard, but I always find them a bit too "wooly", lacking in definition. They're going in a Mastersound 845 Compact.

 

What tubes would you recommend that fits between the clarity of the Telefunken (without the price...) and the Mullard? I don't mind spending a bit of money on a pair (let's say max $500 for the pair, prefer to be lower if at all possible).

audiojan

Showing 4 responses by audioman58

Brent Jesse has medical grade red or green tTelefunken that are very closed ,$450-$550 a pr I bought a pair great ,defined lots of air and neutral No mullard is close in detail ,warmer yes.

I  spent $450 for very close tolerance within 2% medical grade Telefunken with the red tips worth every penny and last for years.

if you want a very good modern tube -12au7 

at APIs audio  Rays select tubes  hand picked closely matched made to a very high standard and a full 1 year warranty for-under $200 . I have the Rays big bulb 6SN7 

complementing the Tele 12AU7 in my LSA preamp is sounds very good .

Rays select around $180 a pair are very respectable  sounding and come with a 

1 year warranty.