(9 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
Loading...GE purchased Ken-Rad (Kentucky Radio Corporation) in 1945, although tubes under Ken-Rad brand have been produced until 1951, so a lot of references are for GE not Ken-Rad
” The GE Black plate 12AX7 (and 5751) have an enchanting and beautiful sound. Articulation is excellent, though not as detailed as the TungSol. Sound stage is expansive and inclusive.” Read
This Ken-Rad 12AX7 Black Plate is a truly fascinating vintage find. It delivers a remarkably warm and deep sonic profile, reminiscent of a rich, dark cup of coffee, paired with an expansive soundstage that draws you in. Sonically, it shares a striking resemblance to the sought-after RCA 12AX7 carbon plates.
Produced for a narrow window between 1948 and 1952, these are exceptionally rare specimens. While GE eventually shifted all production to gray plates, these stand alone as the only black plate 12AX7s from the GE family.
However, there is a trade-off for that lushness. The tube suffers from significant early high-frequency roll-off. While the bass is authoritative and the midrange is nothing short of fantastic, you will sacrifice a fair amount of fine detail in the upper registers. In a McIntosh 275, the performance was merely acceptable, but this tube could be the perfect antidote for an overly bright or clinical system that needs taming.