This morning I exchanged a bunch of new budget JAN GE 12AT7WCs and some used tubes for 5 pairs of tubes - a pair each of Mazda, Tronix, Belvu, and 2 pairs of the Miniwatt Dario. All of the tubes I acquired are used but were measured there and then, 4 pairs classfied as Grade A, a pair of the Darios graded B.
The Mazda kills the stock Psvane 12AU7-S.
Mid-range was fuller. Soundstage deeper and more precise. Bass is deeper and better defined. The tympani actually sounds like a tympani.
Prima facie, it looks like an unequal barter, but in reality it wasnāt. The JAN GEs Iāve tried to sell but no takers. The other tubes were well used so would be difficult to move on.
Iām happy with my trade. The M1200s sound like altogether a different amplifier, and a much better one too, at that.
Iāll tube roll through the other unlikely suspects and report back in due course.
On the basis of my trial with the used Mazdas, Iāll be confident to buy a couple of sets of NOS tubes.
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Do you know if your Mazda tubes were made in France or made in Germany?
Have no idea, sorry. I donāt even know if the Belvuās are French or German either. I understand the Belvuās are also Mazda.
All I know is the Mazdas are better than the Psvanes.
Paul
I have some Mazda 12au7 that were made by Telefunken, not Mazda, and they sounded very nice in M1200. Both NOS Mazda tubes are hard to find.
Mazda/Belvu tubes are French made Iām pretty sure.
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The Mazdas, one went kaput. Now using the Belvues. As good, if not better. Quiet. Nice.
Have some Ensemble Tubesox to try. Will report back.
Paul
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Finally arrived. 6 x NOS Mazda 12AU7 Triple Mica 5 Star tubes. Absolutely fantastic. Top to bottom just so nice, clean and creamy in a nice way. Bass is more defined and detailed. Percussion decay is just so much better.
Sound staging is so much better.
I use the track āI Canāt Explainā from Triosence with Sara Gazarek album āwhere time stands stillā as a critical listening track. I always thought the grand piano was recorded side on on the right. Wrong. The piano was recorded as the pianist with his back to us. Left hand on the left, right hand on the right. With the Mazda tube this is absolutely clear. Yes a single driver tube on the monoblock.
I bought 3 sets NOS tubes, so Iām set for a while.
I might order a few more, though.
This is a truly grail tube.
Paul
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Your description of the Mazda 3 mica is exactly how I felt about the Telefunken āMazdaā NOS 12au7. Maybe they do sound similarly with the same sonic characters.
I totally agree they work so well in the M1200, and the tube rolling stops here (for the time being 
). Enjoy!
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