12at7 alternative? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

newtube · 2nd Mar 2010, 9:45 pm

Good evening gents. .
Could anyone tell me if there is an alternative to a 12at7 valve?
The one i have in my amplifier has just gone to valve heaven after about 60yrs of service so i need to source another asap as i have a friend coming round on sunday for his first taste of valve audio

Do i have any options for a plug and play valve or stick to a 12at7?
Thankyou in advance,
Darran.

HG MICKE · 2nd Mar 2010, 9:47 pm

ECC81 is a direct replacement.
Colin

newtube · 2nd Mar 2010, 10:04 pm

Thanks colin, much appreciated

AlanBeckett · 2nd Mar 2010, 10:16 pm

Or B309, CV455, E2157, B152 according to the Valve Museum.
Alan

G8HQP Dave · 2nd Mar 2010, 11:20 pm

and 6060, 6201, CV4024, 12AT7WA, 12AT7WB, 12AT7WC, A2900, M8162. This valve seems to have more equivalents than any other? Some of these are special quality versions (i.e. long life or resistant to vibration) and this might be reflected in the price.

paulsherwin · 2nd Mar 2010, 11:28 pm

This valve was very widely used in industrial and military equipment across the world, hence the large number of minor variants and ruggedized types.

Generally speaking, these valves are plentiful and cheap, though there are a few manufacturers and batch codes which are hugely fashionable with the golden ears brigade and these have much higher prices. It's debatable if they actually sound any different.

A forum member may be prepared to sell you one for a reasonable sum if you ask in the appropriate section of the forum (i.e. not in this thread.)

Paul

2nd Mar 2010, 9:45 pm	#1
newtube Triode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SHEFFIELD Posts: 38	12at7 alternative? Good evening gents. . Could anyone tell me if there is an alternative to a 12at7 valve? The one i have in my amplifier has just gone to valve heaven after about 60yrs of service so i need to source another asap as i have a friend coming round on sunday for his first taste of valve audio Do i have any options for a plug and play valve or stick to a 12at7? Thankyou in advance, Darran.

2nd Mar 2010, 9:47 pm	#2
HG MICKE Pentode Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London, UK. Posts: 165	Re: 12at7 alternative? ECC81 is a direct replacement. Colin

2nd Mar 2010, 10:04 pm	#3
newtube Triode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SHEFFIELD Posts: 38	Re: 12at7 alternative? Thanks colin, much appreciated

2nd Mar 2010, 10:16 pm	#4
AlanBeckett Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: 12at7 alternative? Or B309, CV455, E2157, B152 according to the Valve Museum. Alan

2nd Mar 2010, 11:20 pm	#5
G8HQP Dave Rest in Peace Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Solihull, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 4,872	Re: 12at7 alternative? and 6060, 6201, CV4024, 12AT7WA, 12AT7WB, 12AT7WC, A2900, M8162. This valve seems to have more equivalents than any other? Some of these are special quality versions (i.e. long life or resistant to vibration) and this might be reflected in the price.

2nd Mar 2010, 11:28 pm	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: 12at7 alternative? This valve was very widely used in industrial and military equipment across the world, hence the large number of minor variants and ruggedized types. Generally speaking, these valves are plentiful and cheap, though there are a few manufacturers and batch codes which are hugely fashionable with the golden ears brigade and these have much higher prices. It's debatable if they actually sound any different. A forum member may be prepared to sell you one for a reasonable sum if you ask in the appropriate section of the forum (i.e. not in this thread.) Paul