What is the sound character of the various 12BH7 and 12BH7 tubes? Different manufacturers, different dates, different construction types... How would you rank them in "quality"?
Pmboyd : I can say that the 12bh7a Sylvania works best for me..Its a matter of system synergy..The 12bh7a Sylvanias I use were purchased at Tube World and they usually have a few versions..I use the Yellow Print...listed as .."Pinch Plates".. They vary from $70 per pair to about $100 pair depending on which yellow print you buy.....These are neutral sounding and if you need warmth you will have to go to another tube...Possibly RCA Grey Plates..Wish I could give you a more difinitive answer but its a crapshoot..The only way to know for sure is try one and go from there......Good Luck........
Just for info ,I tried the RCA 12au7 Cleartops in place of the Sylvania 12bh7a's ( Thor Audio Monoblocks ) and found the RCA 12au7 Cleartops to be Darker and more muted and didn't sonically work well in the 12bh7a position for me.......The Cleartops had good pace,but lacked the openness and transparency of the Sylvania 12bh7a's.....
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