Tubes Asylum: E80CC/6085 as a substitute for the 12AU7

I finally tracked down a set of E80CC to place as a driver in my Unison Research Smart 845. I picked up a pair of Tungsrams from Ned (thanks for the service) and I have a pair of Amperex and Philips Holland on the way. I decided to give this tube a try as many others who own my amps have had very good success with this tube as a replacement.

I popped my tubes in last night after listening to the 12au7 for a while and the change was dramatic. Ths sound is bigger, clearer, with much more extension on top and control on the bottom. Notes are much more rounder with more space and air. The sound just opended up.

I went back to my RFT 12AU7 and initially thought oh, these do sound pretty good. Went back to the E80CC and the difference was shocking. The 12au7 is a just too soft and vague. I have never tried the e80cc in a preamplifer but anyone that owns a preamp that takes 12AU7s should consider the E80CC. This nine pin tube is about 1.5x the height of standard nine pin minatures.

E80CC/6085 as a substitute for the 12AU7 - WOW