Best 12SL7?
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 6:57 pm
I'm in the process of my 1626 build, but I realized that I don't have even a single 12SL7 in my tube collection, so it is time to pick a few up (gotta have at least one spare, that's for sure).
I have two sets of 1626 tubes, both RCA (one is JAN in original military boxes). As far as I know, there aren't any new 12SL7's, and given the other tubes are NOS, I'd go with the same for the driver as well, especially since they aren't terribly expensive.
I'm just curious what the opinions are on the various options out there - I've seen RCAs with both silver and black plates, long or short plates, some with coated glass - there seems to be quite a variety. There are also other makes (GE, Tung-Sol, etc.). As usual, the vendors are mix and match and eBay is about double their price. That said, at least in the past, some vendors have been willing to see what specific tubes they've got in stock and allow me to choose which I wanted.
I have two sets of 1626 tubes, both RCA (one is JAN in original military boxes). As far as I know, there aren't any new 12SL7's, and given the other tubes are NOS, I'd go with the same for the driver as well, especially since they aren't terribly expensive.
I'm just curious what the opinions are on the various options out there - I've seen RCAs with both silver and black plates, long or short plates, some with coated glass - there seems to be quite a variety. There are also other makes (GE, Tung-Sol, etc.). As usual, the vendors are mix and match and eBay is about double their price. That said, at least in the past, some vendors have been willing to see what specific tubes they've got in stock and allow me to choose which I wanted.