12au7 tube?


Looking for a good 12au7 (JJ ecc802s currently). I know the Telefunken ECC802s is the holy grail, but it comes at a price that is just too steep for me to justify. Many will recommend Mullard, but I always find them a bit too "wooly", lacking in definition. They're going in a Mastersound 845 Compact.

 

What tubes would you recommend that fits between the clarity of the Telefunken (without the price...) and the Mullard? I don't mind spending a bit of money on a pair (let's say max $500 for the pair, prefer to be lower if at all possible).

128x128audiojan

@audiojan could be, but  probably more likely Amperex. They probably do sound similar though.

You want to go with what the cognoscenti declare to be the best of the best?

Telefunken G73-R. Love to try out a pair of those. 

For preamp, I’ve had had good luck with NOS Mazda gray plates.

For power amp the Brimar flying leads in conjunction with Ampererex 7316 for the 12ax7

Brent Jessee sent me those.