“…The Bass is also the best and biggest of the three; quite detailed and tight. Midrange is also full of detail air and transparency up and down the range…” Read
Tube Maze
Guides and reviews of vacuum tubes and audio equipment
“…The Bass is also the best and biggest of the three; quite detailed and tight. Midrange is also full of detail air and transparency up and down the range…” Read
I typically find new production preamp tubes to be somewhat underwhelming, often sounding too flat and two-dimensional for Hi-Fi use, however, I was genuinely impressed by this unit. Because this tube is often likened to the RCA red base 5692, a direct comparison was necessary. Both tubes feature very solid construction and extra mica support, though the RCA includes three mica layers. They are quite similar in sound, the RCA provides a more transparent and three-dimensional feel with a larger body, while the Electro-Harmonix is notably more musical. The bass performance on the EH is stronger and tighter, leading to a neutral overall presentation, whereas the RCA is darker and more chocolaty. Being compared to the RCA 5692 is a massive success for Electro-Harmonix, EH and New Sensor have definitely succeeded with this one.
Final Verdict: A highly musical and neutral tube that competes remarkably well with vintage legends, offering superior bass tightness and excellent value.
So true, the tube is very nice, very musical, but RCA 5692 it’s not. close, but not a substitute. there is just more presence with RCA, sound stage is more textured. RCA 1, EH 0