Best NOS 12AT7 tubes for Fet Valve 400R and 600R amp?

avahifi · « **on:** 27 Feb 2012, 02:50 pm »

Our new Fet Valve 600R amplifier is in the review process by a major audio magazine.

The reviewer has asked me if we have any favorite old new stock 12AT7 tubes we would recommend for this amp.

I can't answer this question myself.

So I am asking you owners to let me know which tube you like best in this great amplifier.

I will forward your responses on to the reviewer.

Thanks,

Frank Van Alstine

mark funk · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Feb 2012, 03:21 pm »

Frank, I don't have a 600 but I do have an Ultra+ 550. I like Telefunken, I have both ECC81 and ECC801s they sound the same to me so I am running ECC81 they cost a little less.

aln · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Feb 2012, 03:47 pm »

The best (in my view) is the Sylvania 6201 gold pin. Hard to find, however.

tonyptony · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Feb 2012, 04:31 pm »

Depending on the rest of the setup (speakers etc), TFK ECC801S, Valvo 6201 Blue labels, Siemens E81CC triple micas (may be a little too energetic depending on the speakers), Sylvainia GB 6201 - two or three mica (IMO three mica sounds a bit nicer).

Highly system dependent as I would hope the reviewer knows, although even I will admit the FetValve design shows less of a hot-cold change with tubes, compared to other tube amp designs. Still, different tubes will make a change which may be important to some listeners.

My personal choice with full frequency standard driver (cone, dome) speakers is the TFK 801S and the Valvo 6201 Blues - although since the Blues are pretty much unobtainium he/she should go for the TFKs first. In my system the TFKs provide the right compromise between transparency, extension, soundstage size, depth, and musical smootness. If the reviewer's speakers are a bit zippy or thin, the Sylvania 12AT7WA triple mica black plates might be better. Affordable too. If the speakers are a bit mellow and slow, I'd go with the Siemens E81CC.

The Sylvania GB 6201 is a fine all around choice.

avahifi · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Feb 2012, 08:58 pm »

I'm bumping this back to the front in hopes of a few more comments.

The reviewer for TAS wants to know what are the best 12AT7/ECC81 tubes you have tried in an AVA hybrid power amp.

I would appreciate your comments.

Thanks,

Frank Van Alstine

tonyptony · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Feb 2012, 05:20 pm »

Quote from: avahifi on 28 Feb 2012, 08:58 pm

The reviewer for TAS wants to know what are the best 12AT7/ECC81 tubes you have tried in an AVA hybrid power amp.

No one else out there with experience in this area? We want to make sure Frank's amp gets the best opportunity for this review.

aln · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Feb 2012, 05:50 pm »

Frank, ask the reviewer if he has any of the above tubes. If not, I can supply a pair of 6201 gold pin.

Regards
Aln

bunky · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Feb 2012, 06:03 pm »

Quote from: aln on 27 Feb 2012, 03:47 pm

The best (in my view) is the Sylvania 6201 gold pin. Hard to find, however.

I used 12AT7 tubes in a pair of VTL MB100 monos and the Sylvania 6201 gold pins were the best 12AT7's that i tried in that circuit. they are excellent US made tubes

Jon L · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Feb 2012, 06:33 pm »

IME the great 6201's, e.g. Sylvania, Valvo, have a special, refined, finely-grained warmth which will fit many/most systems well. I personally prefer the Siemens EC81CC triple mica, which is not particularly "warm" nor "sweet" but extremely transparent with bristling microdynamic life that can sound so real it's scary at times.

rcag_ils · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Mar 2012, 02:24 am »

JJ 12AT7. I don't have AVA's best amp, but the JJ 12AT7 sound better than my vintage well known 12AT7 in my Ultra 550, probably because the amp has been designed around the JJ tubes.

trackball02 · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Mar 2013, 04:29 pm »

I tried the Telefunken ECC81 in my 400R, and compared to the stock JJ, I was not that impressed. The TFKs seem to mellow out the amp. The highs have less shimmer and detail and the sound sage narrowed. Just sounded dull to me. Much better with the JJ and the differences were quite noticeable after I reinserted the stock tubes. My pre is the Avastar using RCA Clear Tops.

The new PSVANE 12AT7s seem to have favorable on-line reviews. Any one try them?

martyo · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Mar 2013, 05:34 pm »

I have a Double 550+ and the NOS 1967 TELEFUNKEN ECC801S were quite a step up over the JJ's. My second choice was 1966 NOS SIEMENS E81CC and third were Triple mica Brimars from the '60's.

In my DAC and T8 I tried quite a few NOS 6CG7's including NOS RCA Clear Tops and eventually went back to the current production EH.

Interesting........

I saw that a PSVANE tube was preferred to the stock tube in a DAC that was very popular last year.

Good luck on your quest.

murf · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 01:07 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 23 Mar 2013, 05:34 pm

In my DAC and T8 I tried quite a few NOS 6CG7's including NOS RCA Clear Tops and eventually went back to the current production EH.

Interesting........

Hello Audio Experts!

Interesting indeed! And then we have this opinion on the 6cg7 EH tubes from one of the big dogs here (Ultra Pre):
"They had no sonically redeeming qualities in my system. They were way too bright with irritating sharp harsh treble and they lacked bass. Vocals sounded less natural and the midrange sounded dead. They were also very ssssibilant."
He liked the RCA better!

Well, I've had my T8+ for about a month now, so it's time to change the tubes, right?

I am noticing a little sibilance with the stock EH tubes. Has anyone tried the Cryo Gold Pin EH tubes yet? Or have an opinion on cryo tubes in general?

http://www.cryoset.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=344&osCsid=dd8178d27d2d09e4169f89088813be8e

Decisions, decisions....

Murf

JCarney · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 01:39 pm »

Brimar Yellow "T's". Hard to find, usually priced to high, but man are they good. Detailed, smooth, they just sound right to me.

JCarney

martyo · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 01:43 pm »

Quote from: murf on 24 Mar 2013, 01:07 pm

Hello Audio Experts!

Interesting indeed! And then we have this opinion on the 6cg7 EH tubes from one of the big dogs here (Ultra Pre):
"They had no sonically redeeming qualities in my system. They were way too bright with irritating sharp harsh treble and they lacked bass. Vocals sounded less natural and the midrange sounded dead. They were also very ssssibilant."
He liked the RCA better!

Well, I've had my T8+ for about a month now, so it's time to change the tubes, right? I am noticing a little sibilance with the stock EH tubes. Has anyone tried the Cryo Gold Pin EH tubes yet? Or have an opinion on cryo tubes in general?

http://www.cryoset.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=344&osCsid=dd8178d27d2d09e4169f89088813be8e

Decisions, decisions....

Murf

I was very surprised with what happened with the EH's because until that point I ALWAYS preferred NOS to current production. I'm pretty sure you are quoting Larry who I sold a pair of the RCA clear tops to. They worked really well for him. So many variables, all AVA gear but different models and combinations, and different speakers and rooms and ears.

There are plenty of folks on AC that swear by cryo'ing. Most likely there are many AVA Circle folks that have the opposite opinion. I've never tried any. Let us know how they sound if you try them.

murf · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 01:59 pm »

Hi Marty,

"Big Dog" = "Greyhound".

Murf

martyo · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 02:06 pm »

Quote from: murf on 24 Mar 2013, 01:59 pm

Hi Marty,

"Big Dog" = "Greyhound".

Murf

Yep, that's Larry.

steve k · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 02:52 pm »

I vote for Sylvania Gold Brand 6201's too. I used them in VTL monoblocks and also in my VTL 5.5 preamp. They have a very crystal clear bell-like tone to them similar to the Amperex Bugle Boy sound.

steve

trackball02 · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 03:31 pm »

murf, see this discussion concerning 6CG7: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=84682.0

I'm using RCA Clear Tops and like the sound. MY Avastar is a hybrid pre-amp, not and an all tube T8+. I'm not sure if rolling tubes in my hybrid will make that dramatic difference. As far as sibilance with the stock EH tubes, what is your source feeding your preamp?

steve, do you have a reliable vendor for the Sylvania Gold 6201s?

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Mar 2013, 03:49 pm »

I am currently using Raytheon and Sylvania Black plate tubes from the late 1950's in my Ultra II DAC and Ultra II Preamp. They have a warmer side with deeper bass and wider sound stage and lack the sibilance that I got from the stock EH's, RCA Clear tops, Tung Sol Grey plates. The mid range is more liquid and there is greater depth to the music with an overall better musicality. The trade off is that there is just a hint of loss of high freq detail but it is worth it.

Larry