Lorenz

1x Lorenz ECC81 12AT7 in Orig. Box - Pre-SEL Black Round Logo - Germany 1950s

$78.50 USD

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Product Summary

These must be the most exotic European audio tubes! So elusive they're even unheard of in many parts of the world. Not many of these tubes are around, either, let alone a strong matched pair! Although lesser known than big names like Telefunken and Siemens, they are just as remarkable as any other German-made tubes and have been the go-to tubes for guitar amplifier users. To many of us the Lorenz date codes are a great mystery, and yet the unmistakable "round logo" of Lorenz puts us in no later than 1958, the last year of the original Lorenz tube production and when the "SEL" tubes began to be manufactured by the company's successor Standard Elektrik Lorenz (SEL). And remember the lovely sharp pointy tips are only found on 1950s' tubes?

Sound Qualities

Like most German tubes, they are characterized by an impressive open "air" at the top end, and the soundstage is large, even when playing mono sources such as classical vinyl records from the early '50s you get a full 3-D imaging. The midrange is ruler flat, a.k.a. natural sound, and the bass is tight and accurate. One very unique feature of Lorenz tubes is the fine sense of dynamics you get from anything you play - it feels you are enveloped by an invisible "musical body" that you can't escape from and it's cerebrally joyful. Last but certainly not the least, as the legend goes for all the German tubes, these are astonishingly quiet. If you're seeking European ECC81/12AT7 tubes with ultra low noise look no further. These will get the job done fantastically.

Professional Tube Testing

This set was tested and certified by RoeTest V11 Professional Tube Testing System with the following result:

Tube 1:

Measured transconductance (GM): 1.99/2.05 mA/V - 90%/93% (100% = 2.2 mA/V)

Measured plate current (IA): 8.485/8.837 mA - 81%/84% (100% = 10.5 mA)

Tube 2:

Measured transconductance (GM): 2.04/2.06 mA/V - 93%/94% (100% = 2.2 mA/V)

Measured plate current (IA): 9.19/9.137 mA - 88%/87% (100% = 10.5 mA)

NO shorts, leakage or gas. NO noise or microphonics.

Curve trace is also included in the original RoeTest report.

Appearance and cosmetic condition

Silkscreen: 100% (Pristine)