GE 5814 and 12AUCIFTE

[triode82]

Hello,

i have a BEARD CA506 préamp.
i want to upgrade this.it is composed of 6xecc82,2xecc81 and 2xm8162.

i am interested by GE5814A triple mica and 12AU7 MAZDA CIFTE.
What is the best for you?

i found these tubes on the web shop:
Résultats de recherche : Nano Audio, Magasin en ligne d’électronique audio, DIY.

do you know this web shop?

thanks

triode82

[kevinkr]

I love the early to mid 1960s French made Mazda/CIFTE 12AU7A/ECC82. I have a bunch of them for use in things that require them, and when I was designing things that actually used the 12AU7A I found this to be amongst the very best sounding and measuring. These have a rather unusual plate structure with with square slots cut into the narrow axis of their box plates. The plates are grey in color. The only other ones that come close IMHO are the Amperex from Germany or Holland - in my old designs the CIFTE were the best sounding of the lot.

Canadian made CBS branded 5814 are also surprisingly good, although perhaps not quite in the CIFTE's league.

The triple mica GE 5814 is not bad, but IMHO is not stellar either - a good option if it is cheap enough for a little tube rolling. You probably can find these on eBay for less money.

There are a few really good 12AU7A, but most makers that followed the standard pattern had relatively mediocre linearity compared to say a 6FQ7 or 6SN7..

Obviously my comments are based on gear I have stuck them in - mostly of my own design, but the CIFTE at least is technically superior..

I've found the Mullard, Amperex (Holland), and Philips Miniwatt/Dario 12AT7A/ECC81 better sounding than most FYI.. Some US mil surplus 6201 are also quite nice..

[Globulator]

I have a Mullard as driver in my Sweet Peach, sits around 200V @ 4.2mA and sounds very good to me

[Wavebourn]

I would stick with tubes that were used by original designers, and which were inside the gear when it passed QC, assuming that the manufacturer was competent. Different tubes, especially when in other gear they make the difference, are obviously different, read not fully compatible.

[triode82]

thank you for your answers.