RCA Cleartop 12AU7 Platinum Grade Reviews

5 Rating 2 Reviews

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Phone:

909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

Location:

2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

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“The RCA Cleartop 12AU7's added the extra bit of sparkle I wanted for my Primaluna Dialog HP Integrated andRevel F206 speakers wired with Audioquest Rocket 88. I'm hearing more presence and immediacy especially with well recorded vocals. There is more punch with some of my classic 70's rock albums. Bass definition is startling good. Classical music just sounds more exciting. I had previously upgraded the stock PL tubes with Gold Lions which added a bit more detail and smoothness but that was not what I needed. My tube rolling exploration has come to an end. Thank you Kat.”

Helpful Report

Posted 6 years ago

“I have a modded Cary SLP-30 (mods include a resistor based stepped volume control, additional outputs configured to run multiple headphone amps or bookshelfs and a sub) that I have owned for years (the mods are only a month old) and utterly refuse to part with it. That being said, I have bought many matched pairs of 12au7's (yes, mostly from the great folks at Upscale Audio.....you simply cannot go wrong). With my current setup, I prefer a little more lively top-end with plenty of syruppy midrange and tight, fast bass. Trust me when I say.....I have tried them all!! Now, considering 46 years of hifi listening (admittedly MUCH TOO LOUD in my younger days....and to music of questionible tastes looking back) and playing guitar in many bands, my hearing on the top certainly is nowhere near 20k!! Probably why I value top end extension and air so much. About 15 years ago whle digging through boxes of tubes on cold morning at a HAM Radio swap meet, I ran across a "matched" pair of RCA Cleartops 12au7's. I had yet to try them out in my Cary, so I purchased them. I got them home and into my tube tester and sure enough, they were with 5% of matching (outstanding!) and were at roughly 85% of new. I removed the Bugle Boy 12au7's that were in the Cary while doing my monthly hifi "cleaning" and popped in the cleartops. My world changed forever that day. With those tubes, the SLP-30 simply came to life. In the ensuing years, I have tried just about all others and to this day, nothing can touch THOSE tubes in THAT preamp. So, when Uncle Kev decided to let some go......I gladly jumped. Then, I noticed the pricing for Platinum......take it from a well heeled RCA Cleartop 12au7 freak.......Upscale is basically GIVING these remarkable tubes away!! You can ALWAYS count on Kevin......just like you can count on the sun rising each day!! If you need a little air or extended top-end with an utterly liquid midrange (and don't get me wrong......the bass is firm, tight, and fast) try a Platinum pair of these without any hesitation. Do yourself that favor. For you giuitar players out there.....here is another wonderful use for these tubes (or any 12au7......but these are the best for this application I have found). If you want to truly clean up a smaller combo for Jazz or have a lowered powered combo (like a Fender Pro Jr) with a 10" speaker........replace the 12ax7 with these. Holy smokes.....if you have a OD pedal that you truly love.......it is channel switching heaven with a clean channel to die for. With one of these in a Pro Jr.....with single coils you CANNOT ACHIEVE BREAKUP at any volume. Hard to believe I know, as that amp is non-controlled dirty city......but one of these in the preamp section is amazing. I have done dozens of lower powered combos for folks. And this is coming from a player that plays DrZ, Mesa, and two real vintage Black Face Fenders.......NOT a Pro Jr. But, it is amazing. Anyway, DO NOT PASS GO.....DO NOT COLLECT $200.......order a pair of Platinum RCA Cleartop 12au7's from Upscale Audio for your hifi preamp and be amazed!!!! And as always......THANK YOU Kevin.....you and your staff are simply the BEST!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 11 years ago