Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

---

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Tubes Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

RE: It was built for 12AU7s there is plenty to chose among them

Posted by Mister Pig (A) on April 21, 2019 at 14:55:45

In Reply to: It was built for 12AU7s there is plenty to chose among them posted by Mechans on April 21, 2019 at 12:01:35:

This is always the question of what to use for tubes in a new production component. Unless we are talking custom build one off, or limited production components, manufacturers have to select current production tubes that offer what they feel is the best value for the money. It is not going to be a NOS tube that they can only get a 100 pair of at any one time. So the choice PS Audio makes of Gold Lion or Psvane is one of the practical economics of offering a new product to the market place.

Actually the BHK 250 Signature amp comes with new production Gold Lion 6922. That is a tube GEC never produced, so its essentially a new production tube with that label stamped on it. I spent quite a bit of time listening to that tube, and I sure do not get this "as good or better than some old stock". From what I heard its a dark, grainy, and recessed sound. I had a hard time understanding what was special about this amp until I installed a pair of Siemens 6922 gold pins, 60's era. in it. That took the shackles off the amp, and if you follow some of the post by BHK, he thinks the Tungsram 6922 is a great tube in the amp, better than the Gold Lion. But to me almost anything is better than that tube.

The pre amp comes with 12au7 Psvane, and they certainly are better than the GL that came in the amp. But I do have a set of Phillips 12au7 that look to be Mullard Blackburn, and the described sound seems to fit them. They have most of the lettering rubbed off, so I am not 100% certain. They certainly are not the JAN version. What I found from my initial experiments is that the 6922 tube is a bit noisier in this circuit than the 12au7, and its noticeable because I have speakers that are 93 db efficient. A bit higher than normal, but enough to notice the difference between the two tube families.

So I think I will pursue 12au7 tubes and their variants. As much as I like the Siemens 6922, I have to wonder if I would appreciate the Siemens 12au7. I remember many years ago that I liked RCA 12au7's, but I am not sure if that would be the case today. I am really not a fan of tube warmth, and if you ask me why I have hybrid components...well I could not give you a good answer...but I prefer a more neutral presentation that most SS gear presents. However, I do like the flow and cohesive nature that tube gear can give, which is why the hybrid format of the BHK series intrigues me.

So at this point, I am going to be looking at 12au7 candidates.

Cheers
Mister Pig

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---