“Don’t miss trying the “organ stock” 12AU7 tubes that were sold to organ manufacturers. These sweet tubes were screened for audio use in organs, and have the organ brand on the label. Usually sold at bargain prices because of the re-branded label, the RCA cleartop and Raytheon blackplate versions are a great find!” Read
“…She told me that the yellow Raytheon 12au7 sounded WONDERFUL in the MG Head OTL, except that it was a little quieter. She reported that the sound quality was practically identical to the Raytheon 5751…” Read
The Raytheon 12AU7 Black Plates is a very solid tube that offers a very nice middle-of-the-road sound, perfectly situated between the very sparkling and transparent RCA clear top and the dark and luscious Westinghouse black plates from the 50s. It is currently a great buy and an excellent choice for anyone looking to add some warmth to their system.
* Sound Signature: Balanced, middle-of-the-road profile that avoids extreme brightness or excessive darkness.
* Comparison: Provides more warmth than an RCA clear top while remaining more transparent than 50s-era Westinghouse black plates.
* Tonality: Adds a pleasant level of warmth to the audio chain without sacrificing essential clarity.
* Market Value: Highly recommended as a current value-for-money purchase in the 12AU7 market.
Final Verdict: The Raytheon 12AU7 Black Plates is highly recommended as a versatile performer that strikes a perfect tonal balance, making it a “must-buy” for those seeking to refine their system’s musicality.