Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: General Electric 5-Star 6201 Tubes by Luminator

Quite often, our audio discussions are serious, academic, inflammatory, and, let's face it, not a whole lot of fun. My non-audiophile friends enjoy music, but they want straight-forward answers and recommendations, affordable products, and a sound that makes 'em get off on the music. So let's give in to our populist side [I didn't say, "sell out"], and turn the tables.

This review has a pop culture bent, so if you're the serious type, stop reading now, or cool your heals, file off those handcuffs, and bust out the air guitar.

Talking about rare and expensive NOS tubes is fun, but what if you can't afford them? What if you don't like the warm, slow, lifeless sound of those NOS tubes? And what if you can't stand the sound of ratty current-production tubes? Very recently, I myself wrote that the current -production Sovtek 6922 wasn't half-bad. For that, I just got blasted out of earth's orbit, and was told to stick that tube in my ears and other places where the sun don't shine.

So while we're still figuring out what to do about finding an affordable, reliable, and good-sounding 6922 [My friends are checking out the current-production Tesla 6922. When they're done, they'll let us know the results], the news is much better, regarding the 12AT7.

The 12AT7 is a common 12-volt audio tube with medium gain. People who like the traditional warm, soft, inoffensive sound generally prefer the Mullard gold pin 6201. Those who like balance prefer the Sylvania Gold Brand 6201. And of course, genuine Amperex, Siemens, and Telefunken 12AT7s from the 50's and 60's cost $50 and up.

My AudioPrism Debut II/Red Rose Music Model Two power amp uses four 12AT7s. My buddy's Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 and Quicksilver Silver 60 use one 12AT7 each. And my neighbor's Earmax headphone amp also uses a 12AT7. We rolled 12AT7s of various ages and brands, and came up with an affordable alternative, the 5-Star G.E. 6201.

The 5-Star G.E. 6201 doesn't resolve low-level details, so you classical music fans will be disappointed. This same sound makes this tube so-so for low-level and background listening. But on the other hand, this is perfect for good ol' rock 'n' roll. Kick up the volume a notch, and the sound comes alive.

Overall, the 5-Star G.E. 6201 lacks a touch of body. If you're familiar with XLO's Signature interconnect, you'll know what I mean. But if your system is already thick-sounding, this is a good trait. On the Super-bitmapped version of Ozzy Osbourne's "No Rest For the Wicked," Ozzy's voice is still sick as hell, but it's as if he went on a mini-diet, and lost five pounds. Metal Church's "Fake Healer" loses just a bit of its center-of-the-earth grip. Actually, when listening to bass-heavy recordings, especially on the Earmax, I grew to like the slightly lightweight sound of the 5-Star 6201. If you have your TV hooked up to your tube equipment, you might find youself tuned in to the news more often. The 5-Star G.E. 6201, because it does not sound warm and thick, preserves the intelligibility of vocals.

Initial transients are right-on, but the sound tends to decay a little too quickly. So, a bit of instrumental texture is lost. This will draw howls of protest from the classical music minority, but we new wavers will hardly notice. Cymbals lose some of their silvery sheen, but on the other hand, they aren't slowed down any. You'll still play along with Alex Van Halen on "When It's Love," you'll kick ass on the "Wild Side" with Motley Crue's Tommy Lee, you will flick your wrists like John Bonham, and you won't be able to hold back, when you sit with Metallica's Lar Ulrich. Guitar tones are slightly altered. Joe Satriani's "Summer Song" is more white than sunny yellow, but again, you'll rediscover your wah-wah. Joe Perry's Gibson doesn't sound as gruff, and Yngwie Malmsteen's scallop-fret Fender loses a touch of its fire, sounding somewhat cooler. Play back Erasure's albums in chronological order, and you will hear how their synthesizers have changed over the years.

The 5-Star G.E. 6201 doesn't resolve what's in the front and rear corners of the soundstage. Look at MIT's Terminator ads from the late 90's. They have a model of a room, with a yellow ju-ju gumdrop shape depicting the size of the soundstage that their cables supposedly recreate. Well, this is exactly the type of soundscape that the 5-Star G.E. 620l creates. Yet, each instrument has plenty of air and space around it, so it's as if each performer has his or her own spotlight. Choirs aren't just a mass of singers; you can pick out the individuals. This separation of instruments and sonic snippets makes watching and listening to movies a clear, unambiguous experience.

Invite your buddies over, and put on some Exodus. You'll have a great time turning your living room into a mosh pit. You'll bounce around like ping pong balls, yet, you'll all sing in step with Exodus' chorus lines.

The 5-Star G.E. 6201's sonic traits are perfect for hi-nrg/techno music. It's neat listening to all the mixes of M:G's "What Do You Remember." I mentioned above that each instrument has its own spotlight. On these hi-nrg mixes, you'll easily pick out each track and all the attendant sonic manipulations. Never nasty, it's all clean, bouncy, and fun. All this, and there's none of that ubiquitous bass boom. Wanna start a nightclub? THIS is the sound you need, bub! Put on Haddaway's "What Is Love," and even the stiffest, most uptight curmudgeon will act like those three guys on Saturday Night Live. On Amber's "This Is Your Night," your lips will perfectly track the "dubba-dubba-dup, dip-dop-a-day, dip-dop-day," while the rest of your bod beats along, dying to bump and grind with other clubbers. Oh sorry, this is your living room, not a club. Okay then, put on Real McCoy's "One More Time," and you'll make like O.J. [Real McCoy's lead singer, not the murderer], pull your hooded sweatshirt over your head, slump your shoulders, strike a pose, make a scowl-ly face, and drop your voice an octave, as you rap to the line, "Do it, let's do it, let's do it one more time."

When you revert to being a sedentary audiophile, you'll notice that the 5-Star G.E. 6201 doesn't have that 3-D image focus of the elite tubes. But when the music lover in you emerges, and you put on rock/metal/thrash, your head will be bobbin', bangin', and whiplashin'. While you're doing your headbanger's feeding frenzy, you won't notice the 5-Star's lack of image stability.

As I pointed out above, those genuine tested NOS Mullard ($40), Sylvania Gold Brand ($40), Amperex (> $52), Telefunken (> $56), Siemens (> $64) tubes are expensive and/or hard to find. Tested and graded 5-Star G.E. 6201s typically sell for $20. Lower grades or untested ones are even less. For just a few bucks more than current-production 12AT7s, you can get this cool-man, party-animal NOS tube. The 5-Star G.E. 6201 glows bright orange-yellow, so if your equipment has them in plain view, you and your guests will enjoy looking at the tubes. The tube glow is a great way to start conversations, and when the music starts, let the party begin...

REVIEW: General Electric 5-Star 6201 Tubes Review by Luminator at Audio Asylum