Telefunken 12AT7 for Dared SL2000a?

doctorcilantro

I want these for a little Dared SL2000a preamp-I found a matched quad of Telefunken 12at7 platinum that were bought from upscale audio that the guy will sell for $110 shipped and paypaled.

My buddy asked me about 12AT7s and I mentioned that I had some RCA 3micas wing plates. But I think some folks have used this SL2000 before.....any thoughts?

heiney9

doctorcilantro wrote: »

My buddy asked me about 12AT7s and I mentioned that I had some RCA 3micas wing plates. But I think some folks have used this SL2000 before.....any thoughts?

Ummm......yeah Jon, I've been talking about this little wonder pre-amp for over a year now .

Check the archives as I've used literally about 20 different 12AT7's and variants as well as about 6-8 different rectifiers. I love TFK's and he can't go wrong. Right now I'm running 1959 5965 RCA 3 mica black plates w/sq getter. The RCA black plate 12AT7 is a nice mellow tube, whereas the TFK is more balanced, a little tighter bass, not overemphasized in the midrange and really great 3D highs. TFK ECC801S is superb as are Valvo made in Hamburg tubes with the best being the Valvo 6201 gold PIN. The last two are pricey

The rectifier makes a big difference in this pre-amp and the Russian and Chinese crap doesn't evne begin to cut it. If your friend isn't going to change the rectifier to something like a Brimar or Mullard GZ30 or even the Bendix 6106 is nice, then don't bother with expensive tubes, IMO.

BTW, I have an extra Bendix 6106 (NOS) I'd like to move so if your friend is interested let me know.

H9

heiney9

P.s. Those RCA's you have are nice as well and your friend could do well with those. RCA blackplates are more in the style of a traditional Mullard. A little soft in the bass, midrange dominant and not quite as crisp and 3D highs.

I know that sounds like I'm being negative about the typical Mullard, but the characteristics are subtle, but noticable.

H9

heiney9

If your buddy wants the best of both worlds, IMO the Amperex Bugle Boys from either Heerlen Holland or Lucernes France have a little mix of both the British and German characteristics. The 12AT7's from France are cheaper and sound the same to me as those made in Holland. Be ware of some of the Orange World Globe labeled Amperex. Try to stick with the BB's or white label "Amperex" for best results.

5965's are a slightly lower gain tube and the 50'-60's Sylvania's are really, really nice; especially the Black Plate versions. I have noticed with the Dared that is has high gain and I've found the 5965, 7062 and 6414 tubes to soften the gain a bit.

50's Raytheon 6414, 3-mica, D getter, black plate tubes are excellent as well and sometimes you can find them fairly inexpensively, sometimes not. Another highly recommended tube.

H9

doctorcilantro

thanks all!

I have a pair of Amperex 7062 pinched waist left here, wonder how those would go.

Good to hear from you Keiko! Did you ever use the 7062 I sent you in the pre?

" I have noticed with the Dared that is has high gain and I've found the 5965, 7062 and 6414 tubes to soften the gain a bit." Thanks H!

doctorcilantro

Thanks all, I think he is going for the Teles and he can use the other pair in another piece.

heiney9

doctorcilantro wrote: »

Thanks all, I think he is going for the Teles and he can use the other pair in another piece.

Really stress to him the role the rectifier plays. It's simply amazing what changing that does for this particular pre-amp.

Brimar 5Z4G or GT (GZ30) are pretty readily available as is the Bendix 6106 (5Y3). Not pushing my own but I have an extra 6106 if he's at all interested.

H9

doctorcilantro

I think he got it with a Mullard GZ30. Thanks for advice! I'll let him know about the 6106 when I go listen some time.

heiney9

doctorcilantro wrote: »

thanks all!

I have a pair of Amperex 7062 pinched waist left here, wonder how those would go.

Good to hear from you Keiko! Did you ever use the 7062 I sent you in the pre?

" I have noticed with the Dared that is has high gain and I've found the 5965, 7062 and 6414 tubes to soften the gain a bit." Thanks H!

If you can find a non-microphonic pair.

My holy grail tube for the Dared is a pair of 60's TFK 5965 long plates. They are rare and expensive, but worth every penny.

heiney9

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117770&highlight=holy+grail

soundfreak1

+1 on h9's eval. On the telle's, have a pair in my sl2000 and love them and agree whole heartedly, they are simply stunning. As I have mentioned in previous threads however the siemens are a real close runner up. And at half the price...... The diff is so slight as to not be a real factor. If money is a concern have him check them out. The telle's were 155.00 vs 80.00 for the Siemens. I will add however I'm keeping the telle's and selling the Siemens, primarly cause I could not sell the telle's .