2. amps-preamps
  3. 193152-1301

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
bolong
696 posts
 

Sophia Electric 12au7

I have been using this company's EL34's in my Primaluna EVO 400's and like them very much. Has anyone here ever tried their 12au7's?

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,282 posts
 

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

1 year warranty.

inna
7,864 posts
 

For $180 you can get a NOS matched pair of Mullards or RCA black plates, and probably other brands too, I just didn't look.

westcoastaudiophile
461 posts
 

"For $180 you can get a NOS matched pair of Mullards” or pretending to be, more likely..

audition__audio
1,604 posts
 

You speak as if these tubes are easy to counterfeit. Just look to construction and the acid etched codes. RCA black plates are fairly common. Mullards are among my least favorite 12AU7s as are the RCA clear tops.

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