CBS/Hytron 5814, are they the best?

50jess · « **on:** 8 Jan 2012, 03:24 am »

Are the CBS/Hytron 5814 considered to be the best 12au7 tubes?

jostber · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Jan 2012, 09:29 pm »

What about the 7316 Amperex?

From the vacuumtubes.com web site:

Amperex Holland PQ, Bugleboy or Plain Logo NEW (NOS) These are VERY HIGH QUALITY 12AU7 replacements which were originally used in computer applications. Some say, "The Amperex ECC/186-7316 is without a doubt the FINEST sounding and longest lasting 12AU7 type on the planet. " They are Many audiophiles prefer these. I've seen these as high as $200 each on other sites! The type of Logo DOESN'T MATTER on this tube, you shouldn't be concerned with the logo as they were all made the same way. They are in VERY SHORT SUPPLY. Most of what I have in stock right now are NOS, but are in white boxes as they were bulk packed.

wolfbane · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Jan 2012, 01:18 am »

Quote from: 50jess on 8 Jan 2012, 03:24 am

Are the CBS/Hytron 5814 considered to be the best 12au7 tubes?

They are the best sounding 12AU7 type tube I've ever used and I've tried a number of the best of the NOS 12AU7 tubes.

Wb

50jess · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jan 2012, 03:18 pm »

Quote from: wolfbane on 11 Jan 2012, 01:18 am

They are the best sounding 12AU7 type tube I've ever used and I've tried a number of the best of the NOS 12AU7 tubes.

Wb
Wolfbane, what other NOS 12AU7 tubes have you tried? Would you consider the CBS-Hytron 5814 a significant NOS 12AU7 tube upgrade?]

bunnyma357 · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jan 2012, 04:09 pm »

I have a few of the CBS/Hytron 5814's and in my Onix SP-3 integrated amp I wasn't super impressed with them, they sounded nice, but not incredible. I prefer the RFT ECC82/12AU7 in my amp - very open and airy and musical.

http://thetubestore.com/rftecc82.html

Maybe, I'll give the CBS/Hytron's another chance at some point, just to be sure.

Jim C

melville · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jan 2012, 04:56 pm »

I recently installed a New York Amperex 7316 in my Mactone amp, and it sounds very good. My only other frame of reference is an RCA 5814a. The only thing that is unusual is that it flares at start-up, but settles down immediately. Does anyone know what that is?

jazzcan · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jan 2012, 10:02 pm »

I have to admit that I love CBS/Hytron 5814s, but also like Raytheon 5814 BP windmills, amperex BB Holland 12AU7, Brimar 13D7, RCA Cleartops, and was very surprised at the Genelax GL 12au7 reisues.

It's a matter of slight flavoring and of synergies!

Rich

bunnyma357 · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jan 2012, 11:27 pm »

Quote from: melville on 12 Jan 2012, 04:56 pm

I recently installed a New York Amperex 7316 in my Mactone amp, and it sounds very good. My only other frame of reference is an RCA 5814a. The only thing that is unusual is that it flares at start-up, but settles down immediately. Does anyone know what that is?

The RFT's do the same thing - but just the 12AU7's - I have some RFT 12AT7's that don't flash.

Here's an explanation from this site:

http://tubefreak.com/tubefaq.htm

"Have you ever noticed how some tubes like new old stock Mullard or Amperex 12AX7s "flash" brightly when you turn on the power? The answer is rather technical so bear with me. The two filaments have unequal cold resistances. When power is first applied, the filament with the lower resistance passes more voltage over to the other filament, which makes it glow brightly (Ohm's Law at work). As the lower voltage filament warms up, its resistance rises to the hot resistance of the other filament, allowing both to get equal voltages. This effect is pronounced in amplifiers with AC filament supplies because larger amounts of current are available for the tubes, DC filament supplies light those found in better hi-fi equipment tend to be current limited, reducing the opportunity to "flash.""

Jim C

bunky · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 12:03 am »

Quote from: 50jess on 8 Jan 2012, 03:24 am

Are the CBS/Hytron 5814 considered to be the best 12au7 tubes?

I like CBS Hytron 5814's i had a pair of circa 1955 ones in white boxes made for the US Navy. Siemens Silverplate 12AU7's are also excellent tubes i own a pair of them made in 1962.i have a pair of Amperex Holland PQ 7316 long plates from 1959 and i have never heard a better 12AU7 period

wolfbane · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Jan 2012, 07:09 pm »

Quote from: 50jess on 12 Jan 2012, 03:18 pm

Quote from: wolfbane on 11 Jan 2012, 01:18 am
They are the best sounding 12AU7 type tube I've ever used and I've tried a number of the best of the NOS 12AU7 tubes.

Wb
Wolfbane, what other NOS 12AU7 tubes have you tried? Would you consider the CBS-Hytron 5814 a significant NOS 12AU7 tube upgrade?]

Off the top of my head: Siemens, RCA, Brimar, Sylvania, Telefunken, GE in 12AU7's. RCA, Raytheon, GE and CBS Hytron in 5814A tubes.

Wb

50jess · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Jan 2012, 08:05 am »

How do the CBS-Hytrons compare vs the Psvanes?

nurxhunter · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 04:17 am »

IMHO, the Hytron (early '50s) are the only USA made 12AU7 I consider to compete with some of the best 12AU7 from anywhere. Wonderful 12Au7. Like early Mullards in musicality, but more linear throughout.

BobMajor · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 12:35 pm »

No one has mentioned the Psvane or Shuguang Treasure tubes. I haven't used these particular tubes myself. The distributor, Grant Fidelity, has customer comments on their 12AU7-T tubes including the following:
‘The Psvane’s bring a whole new “sophistication” to all aspects of sound.’
Posted on January 23, 2011 by admin
I am reclining in my listening room thoroughly enjoying The Rite of Spring due in no small measure to the Psvane 12AU7 Reference Vacuum tubes. I just recently purchased these new production tubes manufactured under tight tolerances in the Shuguang tube facility in China. The Psvanes replaced gold pin EH 12AU7s. The EHs were good sounding tubes in my heavily modified cj tube line stage. The Psvane’s bring a whole new “sophistication” to all aspects of sound. Most notable is a complete lack of “glassiness” in the upper midrange and treble, a smoothness to the musical texture without any loss in detail. The soundstage is open and natural. Bass is powerful and tight. These tubes are very quiet, a characteristic missing in my trials with NOS Mullards. Yes, they were warm and “musical” but the several pairs I used were always noisy…losing their vacuum?

Gopher · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 01:09 pm »

I don't know that there is such a thing as best, but they are good inexpensive tubes which can make one very happy in the right circuit.

I preferred the CBS hytron to my 1950s Mullard long plate in the pre amp position of a Rogue Cronus, though the Millard was king in my former Bolder modded ee dac.

Tubeburner · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 02:01 pm »

I don't know that there is such a thing as best, but they are good inexpensive tubes which can make one very happy in the right circuit.

Very true statement. I find each circuit and designer's use of the circuit to make a big difference on what tube sounds the best.

medium jim · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 05:16 pm »

The best 12AU7 is the ECC802 byTelefunken. They're simply amazing!

Jim

bunky · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 06:20 pm »

there's a popularity poll of the 12AU7 and its varients from www.tubeworld.com . Click on 12AU7=ECC82, then scroll to where it says "NEW POLL! What's the best sounding US- or European-made 12AU7 / 5814A of all time in YOUR opinion?

Berndt · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 06:37 pm »

Quote from: medium jim on 14 Apr 2012, 05:16 pm

The best 12AU7 is the ECC802 byTelefunken. They're simply amazing!

Jim

bunky · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 07:12 pm »

Tubeworld has a pair of platinum matched Telefunken ECC802's with low hours on them for a mere $750.00 per pair

they also have a pair of platinum matched 1959 Amperex Holland ECC186/7316 D getters for $350.00 per pair which seems almost like a paltry sum in comparison

Steve · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Apr 2012, 09:29 pm »

Quote from: Tubeburner on 14 Apr 2012, 02:01 pm

I don't know that there is such a thing as best, but they are good inexpensive tubes which can make one very happy in the right circuit.

Very true statement. I find each circuit and designer's use of the circuit to make a big difference on what tube sounds the best.

+2, although there are a few tubes that don't make the chart.