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12AT7A Choices

Posted by Bambi B (A) on June 3, 2009 at 06:23:17

In Reply to: 12AT7A Choices posted by Dr. S on June 2, 2009 at 13:53:46:

Three Siemens E81CC: the triple mica version- centre and right -is the one to have!

Doc S.,

For my microphone preamp use (Peavey VMP-2, 6-12AX7, 2-12AT7), I ended up trying quite a few different 12AT7s, and I use a total of 8- 12AT7s in 6 pieces of equipment, modern and vintage.

Eventually I developed three favourites:

Z. Siemens triple mica E81CC: energetic, punchy, dynamic detailed, balanced, transparent bass, spatial, quiet, neutral, long lasting. This tube is also seen labeled as 12AT7WA. Excellent for a little "waking up" of sleepy vintage. I also use this in the power supplies of the Audio Research SP10, SP8, and D115. The ordinary two mica Siemens ECC81 is very good too- and a bit less energetic than the E81CC. The E81CC have become moderately expensive in the last few years, but the 12AT7WA version is for some reason less.

X. Valvo blue label, Hamburg factory 6201, gold pins: Smooth, spatial, balanced presentation, detailed-accurate, dynamic. Less agressive than the Siemens, but the Valvo 6201 is fantastic everywhere I've tried it. I use the 2-mica version- and very happily- as the triple mica version is so expensive. If you see the earlier blue label, triple mica at a reasonable price a small loan might be worthwhile- they must be extraordinarily good. I think those and Telefunken ECC801S are about the most expensive 12AT7's. The white labeled version is usually less costly than the blue and still excellent- the blue label signifies mobile use by the way and might be specially tested or ruggedised in some way. If I had to live with just one 12AT7 used everywhere, it might be the Valvo 6201.

Y: Sylvania triple mica, black plate, square getter 12AT7WA, late 1950's: The main attributes of this one is that it's one of the lushed, deepest, smoothest tubes I've heard, and tremendously spatial. It's not sluggish or dark either, but has good detail and dynamics. And, the good news is that I see this still as NOS for reasonable prices-$12-15. The earlier (black and gold "lightning bolt" box, gold pins) Sylvania Gold Brand 6201, is quite good, a more transparent tube, and a bit more neutral.

Experimentation is a bit fussy, but you might like to try the GE triple mica, Five Star 6201- not expensive and very good, and the 50's military Raytheons- JHS, JRO, JHC triple mica 12AT7WA's are intriguing and like the GE, quite inexpensive.

12AT7's are usually not expensive tubes and with careful shopping, you might spend the same or only slightly more for very nice NOS. These might be usable for 6 or 8 years so an extra $20 on a single tube is hardly noticeable.

Happy hunting!

Cheers,

Bambi B

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