Beschrijving
The Gold Brand 5963 tubes can be used as a sonical upgrade for a premium ECC82 / 12AU7 tube in any audio system.
This is a pair of New In Box Sylvania Gold Brand GB 5963 tubes made in the USA. The tubes have the Gold Brand code etched on the glass; GB 5963. (if there is no GB etch code on the glass it is not a Gold Brand!) The tubes have special alloy Rhenium-Tungsten heater wire, rugged construction, gold plated grid wire and gold pins. The life time is guaranteed for 10.000 hours which implies that in normal audio practice they will live probably much longer.
> Sylvania introduced Gold Brand in the middle of the 1950s to compete with the premium versions of other companies. Practically all companies that produced vacuum tubes had their own “Gold Brand”. For example, Mullard introduced 10M series. Philips had PQ (Premium Quality). Gold Brand tubes have been designed to work in critical industrial, military, and commercial applications. The tubes assured dependability under mechanical (500g) and thermal shock conditions (330 F and 165 C). The tubes were tested under crazy conditions to maintain electrical characteristics and reliability. As a result, tubes in Gold Brand were guaranteed to have an average life of 10,000 hours (5,000 for regular tubes).
Practically all tubes in the Gold Brand series have earned legendary status among audiophiles. This GB 5963 is no exception. This GB 5963 is probably the best vintage ECC82 version ever made. I refer to the many threads on the web for more information.
Sonics
This valve excels in superior linearity, low noise, musical presentation, detail and smooth extended highs. No other ECC82 surpasses its sonical performance! The gold grid wires and robust construction certainly contribute to this.
Possibly the best vintage ECC82 types ever made.
Quotes on the WEB:
- it’s no wonder that all tubes in Gold Brand are hunted down to extinction.
- GB BUILT-IN RELIABILITY: Qualities of GB Gold Brand Tubes are 10,000· hour life, exceptional stability, maximum uniformity, and extreme phy· sical ruggedness.
The Sylvania JHS 5963 Gray Plates is on the same level as Amperex, Mullard, and Telefunken, so you should grab them while they are still at a reasonable price.
* Clarity: High level of detail and transparency throughout the frequency range.
* High Frequencies: Very sweet HF that avoids harshness while maintaining presence.
* Mid-Range: Features the signature luscious mids typical of Sylvania’s premium offerings.
* Low-End: Great bass extension that provides a solid foundation for the music.
Final Verdict: The Sylvania gold Brand 5963 Gray Plates is a highly recommended 12au7 alternative that competes with the legendary European brands, delivering a refined and musical performance.
For detailed information about the Sylvania Golf Brands series select this link: Gold Band info.
Test results
Test methods and test conditions are outline on the tube testing page. The measurement data below illustrate that the tubes arena very good condition.
| Valve 1
V254 |
Ia (plate current):
Transconductance (Gm): Gas test, Shorts test: |
10,6 / 10,5 mA
2,5 / 2,4 mA/V OK |
= NOS / NOS
= NOS / NOS
|
| Valve 2
V255 |
Ia (plate current):
Transconductance (Gm): Gas test, Shorts test: |
10,5 / 10,5 mA
2,5 / 2,4 mA/V OK |
= NOS / NOS
= NOS / NOS
|
Where NOS is : Ia = 8,7 to 12,5mA, Gm= 1,9 to 2,7 mA/V. Ia = 10,6 ± 1,9 mA. (Telefunken factory specification see test page).
Summarized description
| Tube type | GB 5963 |
| Quantity of Tubes | One pair |
| Brand | Sylvania |
| Manufactured in | USA |
| Date code | 34167 |
| Plate Construction | Long grey plates, gold pins |
| Getter Construction | Halo getter, gold grid |
| Print Condition | See pictures |
| Box included | Original box (see pictures) |
| Equivalent tubes: | 12AU7, ECC802S, ECC82, 13D8 , CV4003, CV491, 5814 , 7730, 5963 |
| General test results | NOS |
Please read our test and shipping policy before buying also !
