[JoshK]

What are your favorite 12AT7s?  I just picked up the AudioPrism Debut II from our beloved Wes.  It has 12AT7s as "gain inverter" which I guess is a cathodyne splitter (good splitter IMO) and "driver" not sure if this is gain or cathode follower, my guess is the later, but gain would be a little light for feedback if that was the case.  I'll know once I start rolling tubes (CFs don't show the benefits of tube rolling as there is no gain added). 

Anyway, I've heard many good praises about Siemen 12AT7s, so I picked up a couple of pair of good used Siemens.  Others?  For new issues the JJs are suppose to be great, although JJ only make a couple tubes worth writing about (the 6922 and the 12AT7, along with the EL84 and their 300B/2A3 and avoid all octals they make).

I have one pair of Mullard CV4024s.  I think I'll pass on the Telefunkens due to price and reports on sound (Siemens are a cheaper way to get similar sound according to some I've read). 

Thoughts appreciated.

[JoshK]

No one besides Charles in another thread has any opinion on 12AT7s? 

 

[Pez]

I use 12AT7s in my simple SE amps. I love the NOS Mullards. I got a set from Dougstubes. I also have a set of Phillips/Beckman 7062s which are pretty darn good as well. A little less laid back in the treble region than the Mullards but pretty much the same smoothness in the mids. The Mullards are just so smooth top to bottom you could die. I decent test tube/casual setup tube (if you don't want to spend $60 on some Mullards) is surprisingly the Penta Labs 12at7s. I found these to be very nice top to bottom, but lack refinement. Any way those are my favorite three.

[Pez]

Also, have tried the Telefunkens, Amprex, and Westinghouse, none where in the same neighborhood sound quality wise as the Mullard or the Phillips.

Edit: I also believe I've tried the Siemens, but can't remember what I thought.  Clearly not a memorable experience. 

[steve k]

I like the Sylvania Gold Brand 6201's. I used to use them in my tube monoblocks. They have a very crystal clear, extended sound similar to the best Amperex sound.
steve

[JoshK]

I should mention my amp is PP, a bit heavy into class A and I run it triode for now (but there is an option to run UL).  If any tube on the planet should sound different in PP than in SET it is the 12AT7.

[rajacat]

My AVA pre came with EH 12AT7s. Naturally I was curious about other tubes especially NOS so bartered for some Mullard CV4034s. IMO they were better in almost every way: deeper sound stage, wider ss, better resolution and just have a more organic texture .

I'd also like to try the Siemens.

-Roy

[Jon L]

I absolutely love Siemens 12AT7 triple mica.  I also have the Siemens 6201/12AT7 double mica, but the triple mica version is simply superior.  It's just the most resolute, solid, dynamic 12AT7 I know, and from what I remember of the AudioPrism Debut sound, should fit the bill..

If seeking "cheap" 12AT7's that will sound good, I like the TungSol 12AT7. It's got an easy neutrality that fits well in many applications. 

I'm not a huge fan of Amperex, Mullard, RCA, GE, etc 12AT7, though if you liked these brands in other tube types, e.g. 12AX7, 6922, you might like them anyway..

[Tyson]

Agreed in the Siemens.  Over a long period of time they have emerged as my favorite of all the small signal tube makers. 

[tonyptony]

Josh, I guess it goes without saying but I'll say it - depending on the equipment and how anyone likes their music voiced you'll get a range of opinions on this. In my case I tried Mullards in my FetValve, but unlike rajacat I found them to be unsuited to my system. My system already had a smooth, organic sound and I found the Mullards, liquid as they are, to be too much in that direction. In my case TFK ECC801S'es turned out to be the ticket without contracting the soundstage too much.

I'd recommend going over to Audio Asylum and looking up every post by Bambi B in the Tubes section. Bambi has tried just about every 12AT7 variant ever made and is very good at providing a description of what each one has done in her systems.

[Jon L]

I like the Sylvania Gold Brand 6201's.

Sylv Gold Brand 6201 is another one of my favorites, being a little more liquid and "musical" compared to Siemens triple mica.  Sylvania 12AT7WA triple mica from 1950's can often be found at much cheaper prices than Gold Brand and sounds at least as good IME..

[pjanda1]

Some feel the Mullard CV4024's are an incredible deal.  They evidently measure and perform exceedingly consistently.  There are still huge numbers available NOS, which means the price is very reasonable.  Any one of us could buy a couple thousand from Langrex very inexpensively, and bang, you're a tube dealer.  That means the prices will stay low for awhile.  I bought my pair from BNB Tubes, as they matched the sections for me (which is important, as I use them as a LTP driver in a differential stage) and were also cheap.  They sound nice.

I also have a pair of RFT's from Jim McShane.  They are the ticket for those looking for a more forward, clearer, brighter tube.  I like the logo too.  They aren't my favorite for fullrange performance.  When I switch the PP amp to woofer only duty, they'll probably be the tubes I use.

Currently, I'm listening to early 60's Sylvania 12AT7WA/6201 (black plate, double micas).  I matched them for cathode current.  I don't know if I have the Mullard's fully broken in, but I think I like these as well.  Of course, if one requires close triode balance, you need a far larger pile of these than you would of Mullard CV4024s to pull two tight ones.

I also tried some old RCA triple Micas from Ebay.  The sections were very badly balanced.  They sounded too warm, but it could have been added distortion due to the poor balance.

Paul
www.wildburroaudio.com

[rollo]

 My two favorites are the Chelmer 12AT7 and Telefunken. JJ is no slouch either.


charles

[JoshK]

My two favorites are the Chelmer 12AT7 and Telefunken. JJ is no slouch either.


charles

Where do you get the Chelmers?  I don't think I've seen them.
Josh

[rollo]

Where do you get the Chelmers?  I don't think I've seen them.
Josh

  The UK, they come standard with the Lector line. www.chelmervalve.com. Better known as CVC.


charles