Brent Jessee and/or the Tube Store will help you.
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We can generalize about the sound of tubes, but you won't know for sure until you try them in your system. The RCA Clear Tops are supposed to be good in the treble. If you want to spend some crazy money, search for Telefunken G 73-R, a very specially selected 12AU7. I've never heard them, probably never will. I like Amperex 7316 but don't think they're airy, more of a midrange tube. Call Brent Jessee and talk it over. He'll have something for you.
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I used the Brimar 13D5 several years ago and loved them. In my SET, they were very clean and clear without being bright. I had the RCA clear tops prior and the Brimars were in another league in my opinion with quite noticeably more detail. Some have said they are a bit warm. I did not hear that at all but I did not hear any leanness either. Images were also more distinct. They are just a great tube, if your sonic preferences reflect the qualities mentioned.
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I use 12au7 tubes in my DAC... have tried LaRadiotechnique, Brimar CV4003, RCA Clear Top, Telefunken amount others. These are my (4) favorites for sure but right now I have the La Radiotechniqe in and they seem play best with the particular speakers I'm using these days. These were never imported into the US so if you can grab a set, go for it. Not overly expensive either but really a spectacular presentation to to bottom. French tubes have a personality all their own. Just my opinion |
If you are using this in the buffer stage you recently posted about I would not drop a lot of coin into tube rolling. Maybe try an RCA clear top as they are clean sounding and cheap as chips to see if it makes much of a difference. I use expensive vintage tubes in my inexpensive kit gear, but in gain and driver stages.
DeKay |
@olds1959special Not a fan of the Tung Sol re-issue when compared to NOS. But…they are probably one of the better new tubes. I also really like the RCA 5814a TM BP. Top 3 for me but I don’t see it brighter as you said you preferred. It more neutral towards warmer to me which I prefer. Other good ones I like are Westinghouse ‘60’s long Carbon Plate and Raytheon ‘60’s 5814a TM BP. |
I'd also say my 2nd in line behind the La Radiotechnique are the Brimar, CV 4003 gold pin. Its a heavy sound that is totally enjoyable. 100% opposite of the LR 12au7wa - they give my DAC a completely differnt perspective. That's what makes this fun... all the "better" tubes play great, they just come at you from differnt angles & give the presentation a decidely contrasting sound. |
olds1959special As already mentioned, reach out to Brent Jessee.....he's the best tube provider I've ever used. He carries a great stock of tubes, but he doesn't give them away. The best 12AU7 tubes are expensive, so be prepared STAY AWAY from re-issue tubes, go with NOS only For emphasis on treble (as you indicated) I'd look at: Amperex (Holland made versions) 7316 1950s/1960s, Amperex E800CC/6085 (check with your amp manufacturer that these are okay to use), RCA "black ribbed plate", RCA "clear tops", German Telefunken ECC82s but these are really expensive.....I have only 1 pair. |
I just bought a PS Audio preamp that uses 12au7’s in its input section. I put out a some feelers and was given advice from A to Z. So far I’ve tried the PSVANE Art Series, the New Release Tung-Sol the Gold Lions and some NOS RCA Clear Tops. To my ears, The PSVANE Art Series were just okay. The Gold Lion were definitely better. The Tung-Sol and the RCA Clear Tops are definitely the best so far, but I want to give the top three tubes 100 hours of play before I A/B them again. BTW, what are you using them on? |
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I got (2) matched pair of NOS Siemens & Halske E82CC ECC802S ECC82 5814 which are an upgraded 12AU7 tube, triple mica, made in Munich, Germany from tubes.rs on ebay. They are outstanding but pricey. |
@olds1959special , hi sorry for being late to the game. First off Brent Jesse’s sound description of 12AU7’s is spot on. It’s all personal preference and system dependent. However , I highly recommend the standard Tekefunken smooth plate for a starting point. If I’m correct, you need a single tube ? That makes it easier and less expensive. I own 2 pr of the Telefunken G-73R’s that were mentioned above. I have multiple pairs of Tektronix pairs, and some standard grade, all smooth plates. All the Telefunkens sound the same. The better grades have less noise and are closer matched. Just buy one and see, probably be around $100. Now compared to that the Silver Siemens are brighter overall. The Phillips Holland is more forward on the top third of the frequency range. For the budget conscience the Tungsram and the EI tubes are very close at a fraction of the price. I have about 10 brands of NOS 12AU7’s half of which are American. Personally, I think the European tubes sound better. I’ve not owned Brimar or the higher level Mullard, but the standard NOS Mullard are not to my liking. They sound like someone threw a blanket over my system. Also I’m not a tube snob, I was where you’re at about 8-10 years ago. I was able to buy tubes at a sane price. If I can help you, please pm me and we can talk. Regards , Mike B. |
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1. I don’t think the original question can be answered considering the number of tubes available and the equipment that uses them. 2. My personal preferences are European tubes from the 1950s (in my tube components). A second mortgage would be appropriate here, especially since the Ukraine invasion. |