Just curious what are the differences, if any, between the stock BHK Pre tubes
I buy from VIva. Theyâre good. However, I only bought Gold Lion 12AU7, which transformed my listening.
Hello Serhan, Can you post what you like about the Gold Lion over the stock tubes? I also have changed the tubes in my BHK to Brimar 4003 NOS which sound great to my ears! I was debating about upgrading the PS Vanes in my M1200s but they only have been in the system for 3 weeks.
Hi @paul172
Adding Gold Lion 12AU7 to BHK preamp significantly enhanced clarity across the audio band especially the mids and highs. The result was clearer instrumental and vocal positioning, delineation and believability. Sorry, not well versed in the domain.
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Sounds good thanks! I switched to the Brimar CV4003 and had similar results! Improvements across the spectrum! Some reviews complained that they were to bright for their own system I have not had the issue with mine. Female vocals sound as if they are in my listening room!
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UntilâŚyou try the Telefunken 12au7 or 12au7 triple mica Ecc 802⌠
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what would be a good 12au7 tube to warm up the sound a tad without muffling too much?
That has been what I have experienced using Amperex 12AU7 in another component (I donât have PS Audio preamp or amp.)
LOL!
Sorry, Iâm not laughing at you but about what you said because I believe that youâre right.
There are some quite excellent current production tubes both of the small signal and output varieties. And one may live quite happily, and rightfully so, with them. That having been said, there are no, in my experience, equivalents to old stock Telefunken, Tung-Sol, Genalex, Mullard, Amperex, etc.
I donât believe any current production tubes match them. Just my personal prejudice and obviously just my 2¢.
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Itâs unfortunate but I have to agree. They sure donât make them like they used to.
I ordered a set of the Art series 12AU7 and received today a set that have values on the boxes that are ~17% different. So much for matched. And as expected they make a ton of noise in the BHK. Swapped left/right, no change. Going back.
Pop in a set of 63 year old 5184wa and bam, sweet music with no noise.
Iâm not sure how Vivatubes can think these are matched. I await their response.
Update: Heard from Vivatubes. The two values with decimal are the triodes and the non-matching is transconductance. Apparently my pre does not like this set. Prepaid label for refund sent NBD by vivatubes.
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I am not getting matched out of those.
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Impressive.
Sorry to hear that!
I do not use a BHK but I settled on Siemens 5814a on the output of my Concert Fidelity preamp and they are very, very nice sounding
Airy & dynamic but not âclinicalâ you may want to give them a try. The 12au7âs on the output of this particular preamp can alter and shape the sound a great deal
Iâve tried many variants of the 12au7 and to my ears the Siemens are on par with a very costly nos pair of bugle boys
Best,
-JP
Those are fine tubes and they command quite the pretty penny too. Some of the US-made NOS 5814 are much more affordable.
I ordered 12AU7 from PS Audio and got this new Psvane 12AU7-S. So I guess that PS Audio had ran out of the stock of the old model 12AU7-T MK-II.
Havenât tried the new model yet so I donât know how it sounds. (I own BHK Pre and M1200s)
Psvane 12AU7-T MK-II (left) and 12AU7-S (right). It looks like construction is simplified (less parts) for the new model.
Psvane (pronounced as âPavaneâ) (owned and produced by Psvane Audio)
https://premiumvacuumtubes.com/psvane_tubes_about_us/
Sylvania Gokd Brand black plates
Interesting, the pair I received today have 2 values for each tube (that arenât close to each other). See my post a couple above yours.
Are they from Vivatubes?