Maybe investigate the nos Tesla ecc802’s . They have less treble and more mid and bass compared to the Telefunkens. I have a pair of Hammond labeled 12AU7 Mullards. PM me if you want to try them I can mail them to you. Cheers , Mike B.
Additional Preamp Tubes
I am looking to purchase an additional matched pair of NOS tubes for my PS Audio BHK preamp. I currently own Brimar CV4003, Telefunken Medicals & Siemens Nickel Plate.
When I began building my system 3.5 years ago, I wanted revealing - accurate. Now I want a tube that is more musical / warm, similar to the Brimar’s with a touch more warmth.
My system: Aurender N150 > Briscati M3 > BHK > Moon 760A > KEF Reference 3’s. Rega P8 / Hana ML > Gold Note PH 10 on analog. Cables are Kimber Select from sources & Transparent Ultra’s pre > amp > speakers.
ChatGPT recommended Mullard CV4003. There is a pair on eBay from Valve Tubes. Please let me know your thoughts on this and other potential tubes, and if you have any experience with Valve tubes. Thanks!
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On Ebay, I recommend this tube seller. He’s one of the few who allows returns. Most don’t. I returned a pair once – no problem at all. Probably best to narrow down your choice first. My DAC uses the 12AU7 (or 5814A, 6189, etc). IME, I have yet to find a warm variant. The only exception was the Mullard 12AU7. My observations were the same as @buellrider97. Dull and lifeless. Very unimpressed. No experience with the CV4003. The Amperex 7316 is a very nice possibility – relatively neutral with excellent resolution. On the pricey side. - - - Another approach. If you have Synergistic Research dealer nearby, ask if they’ll lend you a pair of upper-tier IC’s or a digital cable with the Red tuning module(s). The Red warms up the SQ w/o sacrificing resolution. Good luck! |
Recently, I worked with a tube vendor who had a good sense of which tube manufacturer (and which era for each company) had a certain kind of sound. Emphasis on detail (Telefunken, for example), or a sense of warmth (Mullards). When I described what I had, and how I wanted the sound to change, he suggest 1960's RCA's. So, I tried a set of four for my phono preamp - that was the Goldilocks tube for me. I placed them in my three Zesto components - phono, pre amp, and power amp. I had tried both Telefunken and Mullard in these components, and for me, my room, my ears, these have been a very good thing.
Your experience may differ, of course...
David |
Mullards are the quintessential warm tube for 12AU7, 12AX7, EL34, etc. In general, Mullards are warmer than Brimars. Unlikely you’ll find warmer tubes than Mullards. No doubt AI ripped off a plethora of posts recommending them, for that reason. The 4003 "box plates" in particular, because it was produced in large quantities all the way into the 80s for military production. Upscale Audio in particular sold them for quite a while. But don’t sleep on the Mullard 12AU7 with standard ladder plates, though they may be more costly. RCA black plates (NOT the "clear tops") have been known as warm too. Sometimes RCAs are VERY good, though I've had some duds too. |
@steakster @buellrider97 @mulveling @dtorc Thank you for your recommendations. I have added RCA ‘50’s blackplates to my list. They happen to be available from steakster’s recommended seller. Buellrider97, thank you for the offer. |
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