The 8 Best 12AU7 Vacuum Tubes (2023 reviews)
Are you planning to buy 12au7 vacuum tubes, and are you confused about the options ?
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Our review process:
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Buy: Kailas accessories 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest For microphones: Buy: Mullard reissue 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest Replace product: Buy: Tung-Sol 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest sounding Tube: Buy: Genalex 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest For metal: Buy: Electro-Harmonix 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest For HIFI: Buy: JJ electronic 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest For All Low Gain: Buy: Mullard 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest value: Buy: Tung-Sol 12AU7 Vacuum Tube READ REVIEWBest Overall: Kailas accessories 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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This is an excellent upgrade for hybrid headphone amps requiring a 12AU7 preamp tube. It can take some average musical tracks and change them into a vivid, memorable listening experience. It is fun to experiment with different tubes and this is definitely a good one to try.
The 12AU7 tube is a gain tube for preamp signal. It has more depth, and is not as fuzzy as the original tube. It is more controllable since there is much more usable clean range at the bottom of the gain setting. Compared against a chinese shuguang tube, the sound quality is comparable as both tubes have a similar audio response. You can also use this tube to modestly increase clean headroom on some low watt amps.Why We Like This:
- More clear and expressive stock tube
- Nice deep but controlled bass, level mids, detailed highs
- Great tube for hybrid headphone amplifiers
- A bit smoother less raspy sound quality
Best For microphones: Mullard reissue 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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Brass and woodwind instruments sound as if they are alive and bass response is powerful with crystal clear faithfulness to the details of even the most resonant of stringed instruments. It offers a much lower gain rating than a 12ax. The stock tube is fizzy sounding in this configuration and doesn't give a smooth break up at lower volumes when you push it lightly into overdrive, so the 12au7 mellows the fizzies right out.
This amplifier uses a single dual triode tube in the power section instead of the input, and then sends the output of the tube to a solid state power amp. It has low noise and low microphonics. It's a 5W tube combo with an 8 inch speaker. The Mullard tube is excellent with the Crack.Why We Like This:
- One of the new comers and featured product
- New and hot release
Best Replace product: Tung-Sol 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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The tung-sol 12au7 vacuum tube is capable of outshining several other tube featured in this list in overall features for the price point. Compared to stock tube this one sounds more wide, warm and tube like sound. Plus, this one sounds more wide, warm and tube like sound.Why We Like This:
- Premium medium-mu twin triode for use in preamplifier and driver circuits
- High quality replacement for all circuits requiring 12au7/ecc82 types
- Good brand reputation
Best sounding Tube: Genalex 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate tube. The genalex 12au7 vacuum tube is exactly that - it's a simple tube that hits all the right notes. THIS IS THE BEES KNEES,wonderful soundstage with Beyer Dynamics DT770 cans. It features gold plated pins and has been carefully engineered to recreate all of the attributes of the original. The soundstage/imaging/stereo separation is almost holographic, bass is very tight and with great slam, mids are rich and wonderful, and treble is very tight. The sound is bright and little forward. There is great detail, instrument separation, and a punch to the bass that was not there before.
This tube will definitely improve clarity.Why We Like This:
- Treble remains detailed and with good transparency
- Lovely sound and works well in cj pv
- Crystal clear sound with a wonderful defining character to it
- Sound is more rich and full
Best For metal: Electro-Harmonix 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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If you have a Bravo tube amp and want a clear improvement in sound, this tube will give you significant improvement. It's rocking the vacuum tube community with the superior quality of the "eh" series tubes. It does not overdrive at all with single coils, but Humbuckers overdrive it just past the 12 o'clock position. It comes with the bravo audio amp.
The sound quality upgraded distinctively. There is a slight hint of warmth coming from the tube, but it's not enough to ruin any dark or warm sounding headphones. The sound is so much richer, with more depth and fullness. It is good for 40% less money.Why We Like This:
- Providing much more warmth and analog like richness than the stock tube
- Nice, well balanced, great sounding tube
- Good performance, low noise and looks pretty lit up
- Not overly colored compared to solid state
Best For HIFI: JJ electronic 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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Jj Electronic offers a variety of tube for personal choice and yet maintaining quality in all the variants. This tube is often found in hifi equipment as well as guitar amplifiers.Why We Like This:
- Lot of satisfied buyers
- New and hot release
Best For All Low Gain: Mullard 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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The mullard 12au7 vacuum tube should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This low noise tube is one of the best new production options for a 12AU. It is suitable for all low gain, 12au7 applications.Why We Like This:
- Good investment for long term
- Lot of satisfied buyers
Best value: Tung-Sol 12AU7 Vacuum Tube
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The tung-sol 12au7 vacuum tube is specially designed for your daily usage and has all useful features. The sound difference between the original tubes and these Tung-Sol tubes is subtle, but audible. The sound difference is most evident in the higher ranges with increased space between instruments.Why We Like This:
- Harsh sounds, vocals are clear and warm
- One of the new comers and featured product
