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soundwise, how does the valvo 7316 compare to the amperex 7316?
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soundwise how do these compare to the rca cleartop 12au7's?
How do the 7316 and RCA 12AU7A cleartop compare? It's a fair enough question, but this comparison you'd really have to do yourself to know for yourself. How might I characterize the sonics of these two tubes to my ears in my gear...? I'd tend to characterize the cleartop as tonally "neutral". The short plate 7316 is "fast, punchy, and detailed. The 7316 for me has been a benchmark for "clarity".
Pick up a pair of 7316s, if you don't have any now, and give'em a try. As a shameless self promotion, and I think my first on the Asylum, I've got a handful of pristine, tested, likely NIB Ct5 types I'd be willing to part with. If you're interested, just send me an email through the Asylum email interface.
A good way to go, and a way that counters my above offer, is to find some good used tubes. Pay a little less, give 'em a listen, if you don't like them sell them. You'll save some money this way. If you find you love the tube, and want some nifty NOS/NIB ones, then buy some.
- SJ
Yes, they're the same tube - kinda. To elaborate on Kevin's reply...
All kinds of things, and nothing, can be printed on the glass bottle/envelope of a vacuum tube/valve. The 7316 was developed by Philips of the Netherlands and designated type Ctx, where x is a number from 0 to 5, with each number indicating a different "version"/"issue"/"variant" of the 7316/ECC186. The 7316 was not "designed" as an audio tube, but as an instrument tube, according to Philips literature. Interestly, this literature states the 7316 was designed for applications where low noise isn't critical, but it's been one of the lowest noise 12AU7-family tubes I've used. Electrically, the 7316 is a very close substitute, though not identical according to the datasheets, to the 12AU7/ECC82. It was made starting some time in the late 1950s to well into the 1970s. It was only manufactured in Heerlen, Holland.
A couple of things to note. A 7316 isn't a 7316 isn't a 7316. There are, as I mentioned above, six variants of this tube. Visually, the different variants can be distinguished by plate size and getter type. The first tube, the Ct0, was the only long plate tube of the run. It looks pretty much like a k6x-type Heerlen-made long plate "foil" getter ECC82. All the other tubes, Ct1 through Ct5, are short plate types, and these vary in their getter ring styles - large O-getter, D-getter (it's heavy-looking, kinda like a stirrup), and small o-getter. It is rare to see the long plate Ct0 tube with Philips or Amperex branding. It typically wears some OE brand, and usually, though not always, that of an instrument company, like Beckman or HP.
To my ears and in my gear, ALL the short plate tubes regardless of age or getter style sound the same - punchy, fast, extended, ultra-clear and ultra-clean, if perhaps a little on the tonally "leaner" side. The long plate tube sounds more like a long plate Heerlen-made ECC82. I don't claim or suggest that any of the types necessarily sound better than another.
My suggestion in buying the 7316 is just to pay attention to the type code. I wouldn't pay more for one getter style over another among the short plates. The long plate tube? Well, you might expect to pay more for this tube due to its relative rarity compared with the short plate types. It's got the long plate Heerlen thing goin' on, as far as there is a long plate Heerlen thing goin' on (long plate Philips ECC82s of all flavors tend to be among the pricier ECC82s). There's no guarantee that it will sound better than a short plate tube, or any other 12AU7/ECC82 type, for that matter. You'll only know how well you like it when you try it yourself.
Give some a try and let us know what you find/hear.
- SJ
I thought for some reason, that the true 7316 or shall I say, the most desired variant, was the long plate haLo getter. I was under the impression that all the 7316s-the short plate and long plates the holo versus the D getter types were all made between 1959 and 1965 accounting for their rarity.
To answer the question originally posted, I fully agree with the descriptions regarding their sonic features with a bit more emphasis on the detail and air. They are great tubes but not cheap. I am currently using the Amperex version in my WAF rig, but also have and tried the Beckman, Valvo and I think one other. They is far and away my favorite 12AU7 or close equivalent. To me there are very slight differences between the diffrerent plates etc. but who am I to disagree with Kevin Deal. In any event they are very close sonically. Give them a try if you are flush.
BTW I was surprised to see a 1970s coded tube being auctioned on epray. I e-mailed the seller and it all seemed correct in every other aspect, so I cannot assert that they were only made around 1960.
nt
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