It's not hard to beat KRs or EMLs. They look pretty and well made, but as for the sonics? No.The Telefunken RS242's need a LOT of burn in, perhaps more than any other tube I've ever owned, but they have now surpassed the KR242's (all three versions I have- standard, RK and Limited) in terms of sonics. In my opinion, It is definitely superior to them and is an awesome tube.
KR242 are still a very good choice though if your system can handle them.
Of the ones I bought, I think the best they claimed to recreate was the EML AD1. Nothing like the Tele version of said tube
You made a statement: "Of the ones I bought, I think the best they claimed to recreate was the EML AD1. Nothing like the Tele version of said tube". I took this to mean that you had heard and compared it to the Tele version of the tube. If not, what did you mean by this statement?@bazelio no can do don't own a pair.
I think I explained it with reference to the 242 comparison.You made a statement: "Of the ones I bought, I think the best they claimed to recreate was the EML AD1. Nothing like the Tele version of said tube". I took this to mean that you had heard and compared it to the Tele version of the tube. If not, what did you mean by this statement?
OK, I don't equate a 242 with AD1. But, OK. Thanks for clarifying.I think I explained it with reference to the 242 comparison.
In other words, I don't need a pair to know they won't be the same.
I haven’t heard the Tele 242s, but I did recently buy a pair of NOS Tele 12AX7’s — the smooth plate variety — and true to their name, they are incredibly smooth sounding, and quite euphonic. In my 45 SET, with a pair of NOS RCA 45s, the sound is ultra smooth and euphonic into a pair of Klipsch La Scalas. You can play almost any recording and enjoy it, so folks looking for the unvarnished truth (whatever that means) won‘t be happy. But if your goal is to enjoy music and not get distracted by audiophile buzz, I highly recommend the Tele 12AX7 (which are the ECC 83s in the European nomenclature). They run a bit pricey for small signal tubes. I haven’t heard the “ribbed plate” variety of the Tele’s.@bazelio no can do don't own a pair. I regard it as largely extinct at realistic prices.
I did own a pair of Telefunken RS242. I think you know as well as I do that it bears no similarity to the KR version. It could not be more different IMHO. The gain isn't super high, and therefore it doesn't display the hard hitting dynamics and clarity of the KR effort.
I put the Telefunken 242 version into the nice sounding/euphonic valve/tube category. That's a complement. I do remember them sounding very nice but one of the pair I bought was intermittently noisy. So I returned the pair.
Telefunken valves/tubes are very good but I always find the community tends to want to over rate them in the sense that there are alternatives out there that are as good for less money.
That said, Tele 242 versus KR 242? I would say the Tele is the nicer sounding device for long term easy going enjoy yourself listening.
But for a good loud session of intense listening the KR is good.
Trouble is unless you are in the mood for an onslaught the KR is too much and ultimately is crude. Ultimately for long term sessions KRs are annoying and I just don't use them. Same applies to EML's efforts.
In 50 years+ people will be trying to find KRs and EMLs as their reference tubes. Maybe tubes need to be age annealed
The smooth plate Tele novals were always more desirable than the ribbed plates although both are quite good.I haven’t heard the Tele 242s, but I did recently buy a pair of NOS Tele 12AX7’s — the smooth plate variety — and true to their name, they are incredibly smooth sounding, and quite euphonic. In my 45 SET, with a pair of NOS RCA 45s, the sound is ultra smooth and euphonic into a pair of Klipsch La Scalas. You can play almost any recording and enjoy it, so folks looking for the unvarnished truth (whatever that means) won‘t be happy. But if your goal is to enjoy music and not get distracted by audiophile buzz, I highly recommend the Tele 12AX7 (which are the ECC 83s in the European nomenclature). They run a bit pricey for small signal tubes. I haven’t heard the “ribbed plate” variety of the Tele’s.
TMBF1 is really lovely. Tele 242 is in the same euphonic ballpark IMHO.I should mention... Visseaux TMBF1 are also exceptional tubes. I really enjoy mine. However, they are pretty much unobtanium. TMBF1 and Telefunken RS242 are top notch if you can find them.
Otherwise, it appears you might be able to get KR242's these days, although Lampi appears to have gobbled up the first run? I still really like the KR242's (I think the RK version are the best), but the Telefunken 242's and TMBF1's are a clear step above in terms of sonics.