Radiotechnique 12AU7 / 6189

Price:

$45.00

Rating:

( 6 product reviews )

Product Description

Radiotechnique 12AU7/6189 - 1965 vintage made in France. This is the French arm of Philips Holland who also owned Amperex and Mullard. So it makes sense these have a plate structure similar to Amperex Bugle Boys. But better IMHO because so many Bugle Boy 12AU7's I see being offered are leftovers. These were released by the French Army where they sat since 1965.

The are in military box, and are sealed in a small vinyl bag, until we cut the bag open and test them for Gm/noise/microphony one at a time, and give you the measurements. God sent for VAC, CAT's, and other products as customers report.

Radiotechnique was the French arm of Philips Holland, and this tube shares many sonic characteristics with its Dutch cousins, most notably it's holographic soundstaging and open, airy top end. May be one of the more dynamic 12AU7's. For more info on the Philips factories, click here.

Platinum grade - The best of the best. Lowest noise and microphony with the tightest triode balance we have available. This is typically 10% or tighter, but may be higher depending on available stock.

Gold grade - Low noise and microphonics with a triode balance typically between 15% and 20%, but may be higher depending on available stock.

Driver grade - Lowest noise but not the lowest in microphony. Triode balance will be similar to Gold grade.
This grade is only suitable for use in the driver stage of an amplifier, or the output/buffer stage of a DAC or CD Player.

If you have a preamp or phonostage, you need at least Gold grade.

Click here for a more in depth discussion on how we grade tubes.

Product Reviews

The Real Deal

Posted by Boris

These tubes are great. Replaced 2 platinum matched Mullard CV 4003 in my Atma-Sphere MP3. With the Mullards there was a beautiful midrange but the sound was somewhat closed in. The RT immediately opened up the sound, have a greater sense of air, more present highs without being overemphasized or harsh and, finally, the bass is deeper and better defined. I see no disadvantage.
La Radiotechnique 12au7 Pleases Wacky Audiophile from Brooklyn

Posted by George O

This is gonna be a long and rambling review, so I’ll get right to the part that you probably wanna read about:

“The La Radiotechnique 12au7 arrived ( I was curious about their sound because they had been compared to valves from Herleen) anyway after the install, I was like whoa!!! Shut-the-front-Door!!”

Tube rolling, wtf! You know what? This hobby is way too much fun. Serious fun!
My PrimaLuna Prologue One came fully equipped with PL tubes. It provided 3D musicality in spades, and it was good.
I then recalled having some extra Raytheon 12ax7 lying around the house.
They were back-ups for a Bellari phono-preamp in the main system. So, installed the Raytheon and it was good. I then purchased several more used and nos Raytheon and RCA (12au7 and 12ax7) The PL1 sounded slightly different every week as the different tube sets made the rounds. RCA was my favorite after a while, and it was good.

My first mistake was ordering Mullard sets from Upscale. (To my ears) There was no turning back to domestically produced vacuum tubes. From that point on I had to have valves!! Now it was time to upgrade the power tubes. The local music-store carried ElectroHarmonix EL34, so it seemed a no brainer.
After bringing the quartet home, I plugged’em in-- sat back and listened. Wow, the 3D experience was still there but there was way too much Caramel in this coffee.
It sounded like old-school amplification. So I reminisced for ten minutes and moved on.

Two PrimaLuna EL34 on the sides and two ElectroHarmonix EL34 in the center was quite interesting sonically. This is a great friggin amp!! I kept the amp in this configuration until the La Radiotechnique 12au7 arrived ( I was curious about their sound because they had been compared to valves from Herleen) anyway after the install, I was like whoa!!! Shut-the-front-Door!!

In a few weeks I pulled the Harmonix and put the PL el34 back in place (and ordered another quad of em) The “plump” sound was not to my Liking, even when mixed with the PL’s.

I like the sound of Thelonious Monk and Depeche Mode filtered through Mullard 4004, La Radio Technique 12au7 and PrimaLuna EL34.
The sound is clean---musical—spatial---engaging and fun.
I rarely listen to the primary system anymore (ConradJohnson Premier14, Bryston 4bsst, Classe CDP10, MB Quart Alexxa) That is to say the primary system completely
blows-away System-Two. However…
…System Two is just so much fuckin-fun to listen to. Picked up some used Rotel separates(tuner, cd player) and a DacMagic. Plugged in the desktop too(usb)
And I’m good to go.
PS:I gotta stock up on them French valves!!
Radiotechnique 1965/6189..3D sound

Posted by David mozingo

Hi, purchased this tube back in 5-16-10 ..Last week instlled this,12AU7W,,wow this driver seems to paint a great picture, with music beening its brush..You may find yourself going back and listen to what you have never heard.. thank Kevin..Joe Mozingo
none

Posted by Mike Miles

I bought a pair of these RT 12AU7 NOS tubes from you a while ago and just got around to installing them in my Cary SLP-30 preamp, after a pair of Ei 12AU7 became slightly noisy and had seen their better day. What an across the board improvement! Better highs, bigger soundstage, super low noise, and better bass slam and definition. These are all around better than the Ei tubes ever were.
I love them!

Posted by Kevin

I received my Radiotechnique 12AU7s Friday, and when I tried them out, I about fell off my chair! I love them! In the past, when purchasing NOS tubes, I have always been pleased--But I would also think that maybe I could find something even better. I can't begin to describe what I like about these tubes, but suffice it to say that they have brought out the full potential of my Joule Electra VAMP
Well balanced tube

Posted by Mark A

Using two Radiotechnique 12AU7s in the Minimax buffer and amp slots and they are very well balanced overall in all aspects - dynamic, detailed, not bright with sparkling top end and excellent soundstage. Excellent combo with my solid state power amp.

CRYOGENICALLY TREATED VACUUM TUBES. DONE TO UPSCALE AUDIO STANDARDS!

Most of you already know that Upscale Audio is the premier destination for expertise and availability of vacuum tubes for high-end audio equipment. So when we offer servies and options, you can be guaranteed that it represents a significant investment of research and capital, and that the end result will greatly enhance your listening experience.

Upscale has contracted with the foremost company involved in this technology, 300 Below, to treat our most popular tubes. Other tubes will be added as time allows, but it is a time consuming proccess. Our intention is to have most stocks Cryogenically treated before we even test them.

Of course, your first question is – and should be – why? In a nutshell, reducing an object’s temperature to -300ºF re-arranges its molecular structure, creating greater uniformity that results in longer life and better performance than when the product was initially designed.With vacuum tubes, this process has a profound impact on a tube’s ability to endure thermal shock. Therefore, tubes can last longer and their sound can been enhanced in ways that are simply exquisite.

After thoughtful and thorough research, Upscale Audio chose 300 Below because of their extensive experience in working with musical instruments as well as auto racing, metal tooling, and high-end sporting goods from rifle barrels to golf clubs. Expect nothing but the best from Upscale Audio.

Our charge for Cryogenically treating tubes is a fraction of what others charge, though we use the premier company. Count on Upscale to do the best job and not price gouge . Also available is cryogenic treatment for cables, along with our well-known Nordost Vidar cable treatment system. Call for details. Pricing is listed on each tube and cable page.

Warranty Information

Vacuum tubes are warranted for 90 days against defects, except in cases of abuse, and replaced with like-item only.

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Upscale Audio reserves the right to refuse warranty at our disgretion based on the equipment being re-tubed. You will be notified of any change prior to your order being processed.
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