"MY GLOWING RELICS: PART 1"

For a period of many, many years, I was an avid vacuum tube collector.  I had the 'sickness' so badly, that one day I opened my closet and counted well over three thousand tubes.  I had to do something, so I sold a great many of them, and kept the ones I just could not seem to let go of.  

Unfortunately, I let go of more than I really wished to do so.  There were some excellent tubes that went up for sale, including some of the earliest Mullard CV4004 tubes, dated into the early to mid-1950's.  I sold numerous Philips Holland Long Plate 12AX7 with the Bugle Boy graphic, all dating to the late 1950's.  And I let go of several French 'Mazda' tubes with the bright chrome plates, both of the triple and double mica type.  I even let go of some of my favorite CSF-Thomson tubes, that were apparently products of the French Military, having etched codes indicating they were made in Suresnes, France by Philips at the Radiotechnique plant, while being painted with CSF factory codes!  What a tangled web tubes can be!

All that bemoaning aside, I am beginning a multi-part series on the best sounding 12AX7 tubes (in my opinion) left in my still substantial collection.  I hope you enjoy, and maybe we all will learn a little something new. 

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tHE GRANDADDY OF THE THEM ALL

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RCA gave us the 12AX7 noval tube.  I have about a dozen of these dating from as early as late 1947 to the mid 1950's.  This example is a particularly early one with a production date of 1949, and has the coveted 'stop sign' post around the 12AX7 label.  

RCA (Radio Corporation of America) was a leading manufacturer of vacuum tubes and played a significant role in their development and production. Tubes like the one in these images are highly valued by collectors and audiophiles due to their historical significance and the quality of sound they produce.

Another key feature is the large 'mouth' D-getter structure with a rather substantial foil crossing bar.  

The tube in the images is marked "Victor," indicating it was part of RCA's branding strategy, as RCA was often associated with the Victor Talking Machine Company.

RCA Victor 12AX7 tubes are highly prized by collectors and audiophiles due to their vintage appeal and the superior audio quality they provide. The original packaging, as shown in the images, adds to their collectible value.

I consider these to be the best sounding tubes in my collection, although Telefunken and a particular Sylvania is right there competing neck-and-neck. 

Perhaps for part two of this series, I will bring out the 5 or so RCA prototype 12AX7 tubes that actually resemble RCA combined with KenRad/General Electric, which happens to be the tube we will have a look at next!
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"Secret Schematics???": Ken-Rad/GE 12AX7 Tubes 

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Not that I would be a conspiracy theorist and say General Electric/Ken-Rad would have advance knowledge of the RCA 12AX7 design as it was being produced; however, you may find the idea a bit more, well, in the realm of possibility if you saw the GE prototypes of which I will provide photos in my next blog.  At the very least, the Ken-Rad 12AX7 was just about 1 year at the most behind RCA to the market with their beautiful 12AX7 that had the silver/pewter/mottled plates.  And my oh my, do they sound so very nice.  As you can see on the right, the tube I have chosen to picture is a 1949 vintage.  

They sound so nice indeed, that I rate them just a tick under the best of the best, those being the aforementioned early RCA black plates, Telefunken ECC83, and the rare mid 1950's Sylvania Black Plate.  

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"Teutonic Tone: Discovering the Magic of Telefunken ECC83 Thermionic Tubes"

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How could one forget perhaps the greatest and best sounding of all ECC83/12AX7 tubes ever made?  This pair of Telefunken ECC83 are one of my prized tube possessions.  Telefunken was a German company renowned for its high-quality electronic components, including vacuum tubes. Telefunken was established in 1903 as a joint venture between Siemens & Halske and the AEG company.  Telefunken's ECC83 tubes are particularly famous for their exceptional build quality, reliability, and performance. These tubes were produced in West Germany, mainly during the 1950s and 1960s, and are known for their long lifespan and low noise, making them highly desirable for audio applications.

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"Tokyo Tone: Exploring the Sonic Excellence of Ten Kobe Japan Vacuum Tubes"

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And now for something completely different!  Have you heard of TEN Kobe, Japan tubes?  You need to know about them if you are interested in excellent quality for a fair price. 

After World War II, Japan underwent significant reconstruction and industrialization. The electronics industry, in particular, saw rapid development. During this period, many Japanese companies began producing electronic components, including vacuum tubes.

TEN was established in Kobe, Japan, during this era of technological advancement. The company’s name, TEN, is thought to be derived from the Japanese character for “heaven” (天), symbolizing the high aspirations and quality of their products. Initially, TEN focused on the Japanese market, supplying vacuum tubes to domestic electronics manufacturers. The high quality of TEN tubes made them a preferred choice for Japanese audio equipment manufacturers.

Recognizing the global demand for quality vacuum tubes, TEN soon expanded its reach to international markets. The company began exporting tubes to the United States and Europe, where they were well-received for their performance and reliability. The early years of TEN of Kobe Japan were marked by a commitment to quality and innovation in vacuum tube manufacturing. Through rigorous quality control, advanced manufacturing techniques, and strategic market penetration, TEN established itself as a leading brand in the vacuum tube industry. Their early success laid the foundation for a legacy of excellence in audio technology, making TEN vacuum tubes a prized choice for audiophiles and musicians around the world. The company maintained its operations until 1963, when it merged with Fujitsu Limited.

NOTE THE DARK SILVER/SHINY GRAY TUBES IN THESE TEN LONG PLATE 12AX7.  I CAME ACROSS THESE AT A SALE AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER VARIANT LIKE THEM.  AT THIS POINT I CONSIDER THEM QUITE RARE.  


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stay tuned for part two....