Is there a single triode version of a 12AY7 ?

[chopstuck]

I'm building some tweed Pro circuits and good 12AY7s are not cheap.
I only need one stage and was looking for a single lower gain stage.

Is a 6AT6 close or a 6AV6 ? I have a few of those rolling around.


Have tried both in my old Harvard. Different sounds for sure, but gain wise is the 6at6 like a 12at7 and the 6av6 like a 12ax7 ? Is there something closer to the12AY7 ?

[10thTx]

Have you considered using a 12AV7? I use them frequently and like them real well.

12AY7 45 gain factor. 12AV7 41 gain factor


With respect, 10thtx

[tubeswell]

Russian 6N4P (dual triode) maybe

[martin manning]

New production EH 12AY7 at around $14 is unacceptable?

[Milkmansound]

the new EH tubes are decent - some are great, some sound like a white noise generator

could be worse, you could be looking for a nos 12AX7

[tubeswell]

Yes I quite like the EH12AY7s. I have used several and haven't struck a bad one yet. And they sound decent.

[chopstuck]

Well thanks for the heads up on the EH quality and the Russian choices.
I had heard that EH were passing off weak 12ax7s as AY7s several years ago.
I have one that's at least 5 years old, that one does not impress me.

I built a one channel 5E5 tweed Pro. I did put in one of my new RCA 12AV7 purchases ( thanks 10th TX for the hint). That tube sounds great but does pull a bit of current.
My plate voltages are down a bit on that tube but the amp sounds glorious.
The amp only runs 2 preamp tubes and the other voltages are fine so I think I'm OK.

P.S. KT77s sound mean in this amp.