“RCA black plate is nice all around but not as clear and low distortion as the EE.” Read
Yet again. Very view reviews are available on Internet. See reviews from this site in comments.
Tube Maze
Guides and reviews of vacuum tubes and audio equipment
“RCA black plate is nice all around but not as clear and low distortion as the EE.” Read
Yet again. Very view reviews are available on Internet. See reviews from this site in comments.
When testing the RCA 12AU7 Black Plates, I experienced a real “tale of two stages.” Initially, I slotted it into the input stage, and honestly, the results were a mixed bag. While it delivered that signature 1950s RCA warmth and richness, it felt like the fine details were being smothered. The high frequencies rolled off far too early for my liking, though the soundstage remained impressively wide.
Everything changed when I moved it to the driver stage. The transformation was nothing short of spectacular. In this position, the tube maintained its lush character without sacrificing the top end. Listening to Diana Krall’s “Love Letters,” the soundstage became massive—the music literally felt like it was bouncing off the walls, expanding the physical dimensions of the room.
To be sure of what I was hearing, I benchmarked it against several heavy hitters, including the CBS 12BH7, RCA 5963, and Raytheon 6414. Only the Westinghouse (WH) 12AU7 could even come close to the performance of these slanted getter black plates. For now, this tube has earned a permanent spot in my driver stage.
Final Verdict: An absolute powerhouse for the driver stage. If you crave a full, warm sound and a huge sense of scale, this is easily one of the best 12AU7 variants you can find.