12AT7/ECC81 List

The List Below Outlines The Different Versions Of Type 12AT7

Special 12AT7 Deals

12AT7/ECC81	Siemens 12AT7 / ECC81 This is a great deal on some genuine German made Siemens 12AT7 / ECC81 tubes.  These are UNBRANDED and are from a "bulk pack", so they will come in white boxes.  I know that these are Siemens by looking at the 6 symbol code at the bottom of the tube (see picture).  You will notice a symbol at the bottom left of the code sequence which appears to look like an equal sign with a slash through it ( ≠ ).  This is the factory code for Siemens und Halske, Munchen. These are excellent quality tubes. click on image to enlarge	Special Deal $25 each

Major USA & Other Brands

Telefunken-West Germany

Telefunken tubes are the most highly revered tube in the audiophile hobby.   Telefunken tubes were very well made tubes produced by legendary German precision engineering.  The sound is superb and they seem to last forever.  There was a special version called the ECC801/ECC801S which is a premium type.  The Telefunken handbook equates this tube with the 6201, so apparently it is their milspec tube.   The ECC801S is a selected type that has been screened for low noise and microphonics.   

Mullard U.K.

Mullard tubes made in the U.K. are also a very highly thought of tube by the majority of audiophiles.  Like Telefunken tubes, they generally enjoy a long life, low noise and superb sound.  Which is better??  Only you can decide.   You need to listen to 'em both to find out which you like best. 

Currently Available Mullard 12AT7's

Amperex is also a favorite brand among audiophiles.  Their quality is on par with Mullard and Telefunken tubes.  There are 2 main plants that produced Amperex small tubes.  One was in Holland and the other was in France.  Amperex had different logos on their tubes depending on the target market and the age of the tube.  The most popular logo among audiophiles is the "bugleboy" logo which appeared during the late 1950's through the late 1960s'.  During the 1970's the logo changed to the orange colored "world" logo.  There was also a plain white Amperex logo which appears on tubes regardless of age. I think that these tubes were labeled for OEM applications, but I'm not really sure.  The PQ logo was placed on "premium quality" tubes that were designed for industrial applications.  They were improved versions of the standard tube which usually had superior microphonic and noise characteristics and also met military shock and vibration specs.  Many of the PQ tubes were designed specifically for computers (!) and had special characteristics to survive those applications.  Tubes labeled with JAN (Joint Army Navy)  were the same tubes PQ only they had been labeled for the military.  

Siemens West Germany

Siemens is a well know company which produces many products including vacuum tubes.  Their tubes are known for generally high quality and good sound.  Actually many Telefunken branded tubes were produced by Siemens.  They have a number molded in the center of the pins instead of the diamond.  If you see this characteristic number in the glass, then the tube was probably produced by Siemens regardless of the branding printed on the tube.

Currently Available Siemens 12AT7's

There are other more obscure 12AT7's available, but just too many for me to list right now.  This would include brands like Brimar, RFT, Haltron, etc.  I will list them when I get time.  If you are looking for some specific brand, please email me.  Just because I don't list it doesn't mean I don't have it.