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Best 12AU7 Type Tubes for a Preamp

I am hoping for some help finding good quality and good sounding 12AU7 variant tubes for a preamp – I need two tubes. A price of around $100 each or less would be great but I would pay a bit more (150 ea.) for something that is likely to sound better. The unit came with JAN PHILIPS ECC82 (12AU7/5963) and I also own a pair of reissue/new Mullard ECC92 tubes. Both sets are quiet but I am wondering if there is something even better sounding at a moderate price.

Readily available NOS options I have seen include:

  • NOS RCA Blackplate or Clear Top at about $100-150 EA.
  • Amprex 7316/ECC186 at around $150 each, and
  • Mullard CV4003/12AU7 $150ea.

New options I have found (in addition to Mullard) include (among others):

  • Genalex - Gold Lion B749 / ECC82/12AU7, $70 ea.
  • Psvane 12AU7-S Art Series ECC82, $55 ea.

Thanks for any help.

mitch2
kennesawjet
203 posts
 

if this will help

british    mullards- warm, detailed, good dynamics

german   telefunken, siemens, open, airy, good head room, great sound top to bottom

holland   amperex, phillps good sound staging, 3 dimensional, good top end, bass may be a little sloppy with some. ( bugle boys are my favorite)

tung sol, rca , slyvania, electric harmonics or any of the us made tubes are all about the same to me and lower cost.  depends on your listening taste

talk with andy at vintage tube svcs in mich  616 454 3467 very knowledgable and helpful.   tell him damon from atlanta sent you....

thieliste's avatar
thieliste
831 posts
 

Best combo i’ve tried yet on my Jadis amp is a mix of RCA Black Plates and Telefunken Smooth Plates.

I yet have to try Amperex and Siemens Nickel Plates.

thieliste's avatar
thieliste
831 posts
 

After a big shootout the most musical of them all is 1950s Mullard CV491 17mm plate.

I purchased all of the above tubes to compare including Telefunken Ribbed plate.

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