2. amps-preamps
  3. 1282804225

I need a lower gain 12au7 for Mastersound

I recently purchased a Mastersound Due Venti. It has 2 JJ ecc82 gold pins in the preamp. I find them to be a little high gain for my tastes. They do sound quite nice though don't get me wrong.

Could anyone recommend a 12au7 or variant that naturally has less gain than the JJ but still retains quite a lot of detail and low noise? New or NOS, doesn't matter to me.

Any responses or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Or if anyone has a Due Venti maybe they could let me know what preamp tubes they prefer?

I'm running it with a pair of La Scala's, they're just a little too efficient maybe...

Thanks for your time!!
ddderek
clio09
2,978 posts
 
Roger Modjeski at Ram Labs sells low noise tubes. Follow the link:

http://www.tubeaudiostore.com/index.html

I've had much better luck buying from him and Andy at Vintage Tube Services than Upscale Audio.
bbroussard
162 posts
 
Try a pair of RFT 12AU7s.
ddderek OP
9 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies guys.
This is great!
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I suggested that you speak with Jim because he is very candid and has a great deal of experience. There is another option that you should speak with a good tube monger about and that is the ruggedized, industrial grade, 12AU7s that are less microphonic than the standard breed. My favorite is 5963 but 7189 and particularly 6680 are other industrial direct substitues. They will still need to be graded for noise however. I am somewhat less than sanguine about my RAM Labs tubes, but that's what makes horse racing.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
I believe RFT is what came with my Mastersound amp. Although my amp used different tubes.
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