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Inherent Difference - 12AU7 and a 12AT7

Can anyone school me on the practical differences between a 12AU7 and a 12AT7 input tube when used in a preamp? For example, all things equal is one of these tubes quieter than the other on average, does one have greater gain than the other, and is there any characteristic 'sound' to each of these tubes?
stickman451
detredwings
162 posts
 
The do make a AX7 Music Direct carries them. $225 a pair. That is what my friend owns.
detredwings
162 posts
 
Sorry that may be a piece. http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73403
rodman99999
6,160 posts
 
EAT DOES make the 12AX7 tube, but it is referred to by the European moniker: ECC803S, which was the best of the best, for that tube family(http://www.gcaudio.com/cgi-bin/store/showProduct.cgi?id=501). The 12AX7, and the 6DJ8/6922(ECC88), are the two most popular 12 volt, 9 pin miniatures(most commonly used), in the industry right now. I'm certain EAT took that into consideration, when deciding what to manufacture.
stickman451 OP
553 posts
 
Sorry,I meant, why don't they make a 12AU7 or a 12AT7...
br2600
7 posts
 
Same pinout, but the gain is different. A 12AU7 only has a gain of 17 or so, a 12AT7 has a gain of 60. The 12AT7 was originally designed as a VHF oscillator or mixer tube, but it can be used in audio circuits.
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