Alternate Power Tubes for a Cary V12R

Just to follow up - I went with the JJ KT-77s as I had pretty good luck with the last set of JJ EL34L's that i bought. So far, I like them very much. The bass is a little tighter, but the real difference is in the treble - the KT-77 just has much better extension up top. That extension translates to more three dimensionality as the ambient cues and air are more audible. As for the midrange - which is supposed to be the EL34's strength - I don't feel like any of the prized liquidity is gone, but the clarity is much better. To my ear the KT-77 is a better tube in general. Now, having said that, I'm not sure how much of that is the just the benefit of having a fresh set of tubes, but I don't remember the EL34s sounding this good when they were new.

...but they can't overcome a screaming baby.

04-22-13: Grimace
...but they can't overcome a screaming baby.

Duct tape will resolve that issue. ;)

You might want to call Cary to see if you can use the Sylvania 8417 tube. I had an Audio Electronic Supply (built by Cary) AE-25 Superamp and tried dozens of different tubes in the 6550/KT88, EL34/KT77, and 6L6/EL37 families, both new production and NOS. However, it was the Sylvania 8417 tube that blew me away with its transparency, bass depth and control, and midrange magic. No wonder Quicksilver used this late-developing tube in the 8417 monos. As good as the Tung-Sol 6550, Amperex EL34, and Western Electric 350B is, the 8417 was, at least in my amp, in another league entirely. I would imagine the V12 to be able to use this tube and IMO worth a call to Cary.

Vintage tubes aren't really practical for an amplifier that takes an even dozen. Even if you could get a matched set, they cost a fortune. The small signal tubes are easy enough, but not the power tubes.