Better than 12au7?

dgta · 3rd July 2011, 05:06 AM

I need to find a tube better than 12AU7. Ideally I would like a 12CG7/12FQ7 but I'm limited by my filament regulator, 12V maxed out at 200mA.

It need not be equivalent, I can re-bias. But it needs to have a low current 12V filament, low-ish mu and must take at least 250V plate voltage, preferably more. Is the 5814 just a rugged 12AU7 or is it a different tube? Anything else out there that sounds good? Thanks for any tips.

Globulator · 3rd July 2011, 11:47 AM

I think the answer depends upon many unknown factors.

Usage + schematic may clear up two of the big ones...

ruffrecords · 3rd July 2011, 12:42 PM

12CG7 takes 0.3A heater current i.e. twice the 12AU7. If you are happy with that you could try the 12BH7 as well - easier to obtain and in current production.

Cheers

Ian

DF96 · 3rd July 2011, 03:54 PM

Better than the 12AU7 at doing what?

dgta · 04:54 PM

The circuit is the first 2 stages of a Williamson-like amp. Amp plus phase splitter. It works fine, but the 12AU7 is not the best sounding tube to me. Much prefer the sound of the 6SN7 and its variations.

The limiting factor is that I only have 200mA@12V to spare on the filament regulator (12AU7 takes 150mA).

MrCurwen · 3rd July 2011, 05:42 PM

What I would say you need is a new filament regulator.

astouffer · 3rd July 2011, 05:43 PM

You could give the 5963 a try. Although its plate voltage is limited to 250.

Eli Duttman · 3rd July 2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgta

The circuit is the first 2 stages of a Williamson-like amp. Amp plus phase splitter. It works fine, but the 12AU7 is not the best sounding tube to me. Much prefer the sound of the 6SN7 and its variations.

The limiting factor is that I only have 200mA@12V to spare on the filament regulator (12AU7 takes 150mA).

I think you are SOL, if a Noval based type is essential. However, the Locktal based 14AF7 should be just what the Dr. ordered.

vinylkid58 · 3rd July 2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgta

It works fine, but the 12AU7 is not the best sounding tube to me. Much prefer the sound of the 6SN7 and its variations.

RCA "COMMAND" 5814A is one of the better sounding 12AU7's.

jeff

dgta · 3rd July 2011, 08:00 PM

That's my next step, the 5814A. After that I might try the 12DJ8, but it has more gain than I need here.

3rd July 2011, 05:06 AM	#1
dgta diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011	Better than 12au7? I need to find a tube better than 12AU7. Ideally I would like a 12CG7/12FQ7 but I'm limited by my filament regulator, 12V maxed out at 200mA. It need not be equivalent, I can re-bias. But it needs to have a low current 12V filament, low-ish mu and must take at least 250V plate voltage, preferably more. Is the 5814 just a rugged 12AU7 or is it a different tube? Anything else out there that sounds good? Thanks for any tips.

3rd July 2011, 12:42 PM	#3
ruffrecords diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Holt, Norfolk	12CG7 takes 0.3A heater current i.e. twice the 12AU7. If you are happy with that you could try the 12BH7 as well - easier to obtain and in current production. Cheers Ian __________________ Ian

3rd July 2011, 04:49 PM	#5
dgta diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011	The circuit is the first 2 stages of a Williamson-like amp. Amp plus phase splitter. It works fine, but the 12AU7 is not the best sounding tube to me. Much prefer the sound of the 6SN7 and its variations. The limiting factor is that I only have 200mA@12V to spare on the filament regulator (12AU7 takes 150mA). Last edited by dgta; 3rd July 2011 at 04:54 PM.

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3rd July 2011, 11:47 AM	#2
Globulator diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cambridge, England.	I think the answer depends upon many unknown factors. Usage + schematic may clear up two of the big ones...

3rd July 2011, 03:54 PM	#4
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Better than the 12AU7 at doing what?

3rd July 2011, 05:42 PM	#6
MrCurwen diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010	What I would say you need is a new filament regulator.

3rd July 2011, 05:43 PM	#7
astouffer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, crumbling wasteland	You could give the 5963 a try. Although its plate voltage is limited to 250.

3rd July 2011, 08:00 PM	#10
dgta diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011	That's my next step, the 5814A. After that I might try the 12DJ8, but it has more gain than I need here.

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