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The Best 12au7 tubes
Which 12au7/5814 tube won the right to be called the best and the worst?
Updated August 7th, 2020
Continue readingCBS-Hytron 5814A – Engineering Samples
Once in a while, while going through a new shipment of tubes, I find some true treasures. This time it was an incredible find, the legendary CBS-Hytron 5814 tubes, but not just that, they were engineering samples from CBS-Hytron. Engineering samples were sent to various manufacturers to get acceptance and determine interest before starting mass production. Unfortunately, there is no date code on the box or the tubes, so it’s hard to say when it was produced exactly, but considering that 5814 tubes have been produced since October 1949, these are not far behind. Notice, that there is not 5814 label on the glass, just on the wrapper.
I’ve already written about these tubes and there are also posts about comparing them to other tubes from other contributors.
Favorite Tubes 12au7
Hi there, I’ve now listened and analyzed countless 12au7’s (and it’s equivalents) and thought I’d give my opinion on my current favorites.
1st Place Tie: Mazda 6189 Silver Plates 3-Mica and 50’s Valvo Long Plate Angled Getter
These are somewhat similar to me in that they both have soaring/sparkling top-ends and beautiful midrange. Both have lots of detail. I think Mazda has better bass and is slightly more precise, forward and transparent. But Mazda is also more dry. Valvo is sexier and easier on the ears. To me, the Valvos are a bit light on the bass. Mazdas have maybe a larger soundstage, but Valvo is deeper and more intimate. Tie for first. If someone put a gun to my head, I’d choose the Valvos.
Sylvania Gold Brand 5814 Triple Mica
12au7/5418 Tube Roll: Mullard vs. CBS vs. Westinghouse
The matched quad of the Mullard CV491 Long Plates cost me a small fortune. They sound great and were the seated “incumbents” in my reference system. It was time to stop enjoying for a second and get into some serious listening with two other great tubes: the CBS-Hytron 5814 and Westinghouse 12au7 Carbon Plates.