Tubes for tube CD Player?

GATOR3000

Hi all,

Just wondered what kind (Brand) of tubes are you guys using in your tube CD players? My “Original A8T” tube CD player takes two 12AU7’s tubes and I use ASL integrated tube amp 30 WPC to power speakers.

I have tried 12AU7 tubes as follows:

· JJ Tesla ECC82 standards new issue
· EH 12AU7 standard new issue
· RCA 12AU7A Clear Top NOS
· RCA 12AU7A, 17mm gray plates NOS
· Hytron 12AU7A square side getter, long gray plates, Clear Tops NOS


So far the “RCA 12AU7A, 17mm gray plates NOS” is my best sounding tube. Is it worth to spend $$ on NOS Telefunken, Mullard etc……….?

Please let me know what tubes are you using in your CD players. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Gator

fredv

There were quite a few posts on the 12AU7. IMHO, it really boils down to personal preference and the gears. Not sure the JJ that you tried is the long plate version or not, if not, give it a try, I prefer the long plate to the short plates. For NOS, try some amperex.

jdhdiggs

Yeah, unfortunately I can't tell YOU if its worth it to YOU for the difference that YOU hear...

I have found that the high $$$ tubes are very hit or miss so I stay down from the NOS telefunkam or Mullards. To me, I'd rather roll 3-4 tubes for a mood or album (even for fun) than just stick with one expesive tube.

organ

Hey Miro,
So sorry man, my internet was down and didn't write your phone # down before.
If you still want to get together, I'll be free every wednesdays and thursdays starting next week. I'll pm you my addy when I get on the PC, I'm surfing on a Dreamcast right now.

Glad to see you went ahead and purchased the Original. Still loving mine. Looks like you've tried a few NOS already.
You've gotten good responses so far. Sometimes, paying a lot for NOS tubes doesn't give you better sound but just different. And along with gear change, sometimes a tube swap is in order.

So far the best I've heard in mine is the Siemens "triple mica" 5814A. Very pricey but they sound great.
A fun tube to listen to is the Tung Sol 12AU7 "D getter". This is what I'm currently using. thetubestore.com have them in stock for $60 each.

We can try out these tubes and a pair of Mullard when you come by.

Again, sorry for the delay. Please let me know when you're able to stop by.

schwarcw

Try the Ei's. I found them to be very close to the Telefunken's in my Sheng Ya. I'd like to try some of the Amperex Holland's.

RuSsMaN

I'm a fan of the 5814, and 6189 JAN Mil-Spec au variants for bang for buck tone, microphonics, and reliability. Many consider the Raytheon 7730 the holy grail of au7's. I've got a few horded away for the front end of some hot-rod Heathkits on the way.

Cheers,
Russ

GATOR3000

Hey Maurice,

Wazzzzzzzzzzzzz………Upppppppppppp…………???. No problem man. I was busy myself and what you know, my PC crashed also. I had to get a new motherboard and I upgraded my CPU at the same time and added hard drive…………etc.

Thank for your tube suggestions. Since I talked to you last I rolled some other tubes as well.

Also, have these tubes on the way:

(2) Mullard 12AU7/ECC82 Halo getters 17mm NOS coming from England
(2) Mullard 12AU7/ECC82, Codes Match, Blackburn England branded Amprex
(2) Hytron 12AU7 Tubes - Clear Top Side Getter Almost NOS
(5) 5 EACH RCA 5963 12AU7 17mmTubes Tested Strong NIB NOS
(2) Match Pair NOS Siemens ECC82/12AU7 NIB coming from Germany
(2) Telefunken 12AU7 matched pair <> NOS NIB coming from Germany
(4) RCA USA Clear Top 12AU7A NOS 17mm
(4) RCA USA Westinghouse 12AU7A branded Amprex

All tubes should be here in a week or so. PM me your addy and a # where I can reach you so we can do some tube rolling.

Talk to you soon.

Cheers

Gator

GATOR3000

RuSsMaN wrote:

I'm a fan of the 5814, and 6189 JAN Mil-Spec au variants for bang for buck tone, microphonics, and reliability. Many consider the Raytheon 7730 the holy grail of au7's. I've got a few horded away for the front end of some hot-rod Heathkits on the way.

Cheers,
Russ

Hey RuSS,

Thanks for you input on 12AU7’s. I heard of the 7730’s are awesome too. Believe it or not I like the 5963’s RCA long plates. These tubes are nice in my ASL integrated so far, but don’t like them in my A8T CD player. They just don’t sound as good together. I haven’t tried any 5814’s as yet.

Cheers

Gator