GE 12AU7/6189W Vacuum Tube Review w/ Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal

upscaleaudio.com/products/ge-...
Helically-wound filaments baby! Kevin recently found a stash of these, and soon as we'd tested a big enough batch to give us the tightest possible matches, these NOS tubes went out into the world and sent back rave reviews.
Robert H. Levi wrote in Positive Feedback: “In addition to excellent definition, the GE 6189 tubes were the quietest 12AU7 types in the world. ... With the quiet came added definition, layering, blacker background, and greater realism.”

[@labalo5]

Man video production is fantastic!! Kevin is the man!!

[@wesspangler]

I am listening with some of those Tele’s from Serbia right now and loving it! One of the best tube purchases I ever made.

[@capwkidd]

Tube history videos sound like a great idea! Happy New Years!

[@terrywho22]

Been buying tubes for the past 25 years and have never been disappointed with tubes from either Upscale or Jim McShane. I've pretty much given up on every place else.

[@DismasM]

Man, the production quality just ramped up 11 notches. Gorgeous 'cinematography.' Very nice. Happy New Year to the entire Upscale fam. These vids probably do more good than you realize so please keep them coming.

[@ridirefain6606]

Ditto: Would love to see a post on the Tube history and what it took to obtain them.

[@kevweech3721]

Always enjoy the videos Kevin. And great advice on choosing tubes - read the reviews, see what others say that is meaningful to you and your wants. More bass, soundstage, brilliant highs? Part of the fun is picking through the comments looking for common themes

[@joeygsaudiochannel3972]

I saw your Video this morning and made two big (for me) orders. 8 6H30’s for my BAT VK-50SE (one channel has dull highs and crap midrange), and 4 KT150’s for my Jolida 3502P (checked with MIke Allen and he gave me some good advise). Play that Amp as is for a while and get used to it before installing the 150’s. All Platinum Cryo’d. I’m a Tube Boob (Newbie) so my experience is limited to my STAX SRM-007tA, the BAT Preamp. I don’t crank the tunes like I used to so quality over quantity is my “thing” now. Great Video Kevin ! Have a Happy & Safe New Year.

[@SwirlingDragonMist]

That’s cool man, I’d love to see your walking tour!

[@steverees1936]

What I love about watching your video's Kevin is you are always so passionate about HiFi and I really respect that. Happy new year to you and God bless you and your lovely wife Miss Laura. 👍🎸😁

[@BC-fy1wn]

Hoping all is well with the Upscale folks and have a hell-of-a New Years. Doc BC

[@fasturn-fc2of]

Just changed out a 12au7 Phillips to the GE. My DBX mic pre is much brighter now. Yes no 2 are the same.

[@HiFiInsider]

I hope to have the opportunity to visit the store this year.

[@jochvomberg5541]

My Faforite 12AU7 is the Philips Miniwatt made in 1960.

[@gerritfridericksohn4627]

Yeh that's a good one. I am fortunate to have a raft of Amperex Herleen 7316 and Reytheon 7028. I prefer ordinary black plate Reytheon and RCA to GE.

[@scarabeo500gt]

Happy New Year Kevin - I still need to drop off my CD Player for repair (GOSH) I need to call you!

[@toddhupp]

yes.a video memoir would be super Kevin.

[@stevenbeau6268]

Happiest of New Years to Ya...s

[@mtache12]

I had a bad experience dealing with Ken at Upscale. Once he sold me the amp, I couldn't get any help. They are sales based, as he wanted 'credit' for the sale. I doubt the credit equates to a pat on the back? But I really want to like the company as they are informative.

[@mtache12]

oh and the 'R' story is BS looking at your body language

[@philipketchum1407]

Two things I want but I resist because they are just too much work. Tubes and dogs.

[@kevind2760]

Oh my God it's worth it though!

[@philipketchum1407]

@@kevind2760 Ok fine. I’ll try tubes. But I’m putting my foot down on getting a dog. My freshly refurbished Klipsch Chorus 2 may like a change from the current McIntosh

[@RickMahoney2013]

I can’t afford a Tube Amp I wish I could. Is it the same way with capacitor ? Thanks Happy New Year

[@moodyga40]

buy a kit from ebay start there

[@RickMahoney2013]

@@moodyga40 what type of kit

[@moodyga40]

@@RickMahoney2013 www.ebay.com.au/itm/HiFi-EL34-Vacuum-Tube-Power-Amplifier-Class-A-Stereo-Audio-Amp-DIY-Kit-12W-12W-/272043741858

[@moodyga40]

@@kimstephenson9699 why

[@billsmith8739]

Are there anymore new tubes made in America anymore??

[@mikeallen3666]

Western Electric makes a 300B. They're like $700 apiece, 1500 for a matched pair. It's not the original Western Electric company, but still in the US and the tubes are highly regarded. Eimac still makes transmitting tubes for large radio transmitters. That's all i know of. But all other audio tubes- 12at7/au7/ax7/ay7, 6sn7, 6l6, etc. are Czech, Russian or Chinese. There may be one or two very small producers elsewhere, but the vast bulk are from those three countries.

[@moodyga40]

6189 is a good its in my preamp takes a good 2 years before the tube is good

[@Avant-garde001]

Good video, as I understand you won’t be recommending any particular tube anymore, because it’s all subjective perception. Interesting.

[@Nightjar726]

Tubes don’t burn in. They start wearing out