TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK Vacuum Tube Matched Quad

Product overview

The TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK Vacuum Tube Matched Quad is a newly manufactured, cryogenically treated rendition of the classic ECC82, commonly known by the American designation 12AU7, supplied here as a matched quad of ECC82-TK tubes.

The ECC82 is a dual triode with medium gain and low noise characteristics, making it ideal for hi-fi audio equipment and instrument amplification. The Black Diamond Series ECC82-TK features gold-plated pins and a gold-plated internal grid, and TELEFUNKEN describes its tonal character as brighter rather than warm, with a wide sense of dynamics and an exceptionally quiet noise floor.

Also known as	12AU7
Medium gain, low noise	Dual triode
Tubes in this product	4
Plated pins and internal grid	Gold

Key features

• ECC82 / 12AU7 dual triode: medium gain, low noise
• Gold-plated pins and gold-plated internal grid
• Brighter tonal character, wide dynamics and an exceptionally quiet noise floor
• Accurate, focused image with a flat midrange and tight low end
• Line amplifier, driver and phase inverter in push-pull amplifier circuits
• Black Diamond Series: rigorously tested, cryogenically treated and extensively burned-in

The ECC82-TK sound

The ECC82-TK offers an accurate and focused image with a flat midrange and a tight low end. It is excellent in headphone amplifiers and high-end home audio and phono equipment, among many other applications, and TELEFUNKEN puts every tube through rigorous quality control and testing to deliver a dependable tube for the most demanding applications.

Where it works

The ECC82 is commonly used as a low-noise line amplifier, driver and phase inverter in push-pull amplifier circuits, and it can stand in for higher gain dual triodes where a lower gain is wanted. ECC82 is the European designation and 12AU7 the American one, so the ECC82-TK fits any socket specified for either.

Applications

• Guitar amplifier phase inverter: tube amplifiers that use a 12AU7 as the phase inverter of a push-pull power section
• Headphone amplifier: listeners with tube headphone amplifiers specified for the 12AU7 or ECC82
• Phono stage: vinyl listeners whose tube phono preamplifier uses the 12AU7
• Hi-fi line stage and driver: high-end home audio with a 12AU7 line amplifier or driver stage
• Lower gain preamp position: guitarists after more headroom from a preamp position that accepts a 12AU7
• Studio and rental spares: studios and rental stores keeping a stock of ECC82 replacements

Black Diamond Series

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik Black Diamond Series vacuum tubes are new production tubes, manufactured in partnership with a specialist vacuum tube factory in Slovakia and designed to be harmonically rich and tonally balanced. Each tube is rigorously tested, cryogenically treated and extensively burned-in before it carries the Black Diamond name, so the ECC82-TK arrives ready for the most demanding applications.

This configuration: Matched Quad

This product is a Matched Quad: four ECC82-TK tubes matched by TELEFUNKEN and supplied together as one set. TELEFUNKEN also lists this tube with a Balanced Triodes option, sold as a separate product. Keep a matched set together in the four positions of the same circuit.

Fitting and care

Always switch the equipment off, unplug it from the mains and let the tubes cool completely before removing or fitting a tube. Fit the ECC82-TK only in a socket specified for the ECC82 or 12AU7, keep each tube in the position of the one it replaces, and press it straight and fully into the socket. Leave any work inside a chassis to a qualified technician. After fitting, let the equipment warm up and listen at low volume first. Store spare tubes in their packaging, protected from knocks and moisture.

What's included

Included	Four TELEFUNKEN ECC82‑TK vacuum tubes (matched quad)
Not included	Amplifier or equipment, sockets and installation

In the box

• Four TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK vacuum tubes (matched quad)

Vacuum tubes are glass components: handle them by the glass envelope, avoid knocks and keep them in their packaging until fitting.

TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK Vacuum Tube Matched Quad: frequently asked questions

Is the ECC82-TK the same as a 12AU7?

Yes. ECC82 is the European designation and 12AU7 the American designation for the same medium gain dual triode.

What does it sound like?

TELEFUNKEN describes it as brighter rather than warm, with wide dynamics, an exceptionally quiet noise floor, an accurate focused image, a flat midrange and a tight low end.

What does Black Diamond Series mean?

It is TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik's range of new production vacuum tubes, designed to be harmonically rich and tonally balanced; each tube is rigorously tested, cryogenically treated and extensively burned-in.

Where in the equipment does it go?

In any socket specified for the ECC82 or 12AU7, keeping each tube in the position of the one it replaces. Switch off, unplug and let the tubes cool before changing them.

How many tubes are included?

Four tubes, matched by TELEFUNKEN and supplied as one set (Matched Quad).

Where can I buy the TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK Vacuum Tube Matched Quad in India?

The TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK Vacuum Tube Matched Quad is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Guitar amplifier phase inverter

Tube amplifiers that use a 12AU7 as the phase inverter of a push-pull power section.

Connections

Connect	To
ECC82‑TK	Phase inverter socket specified for a 12AU7

Setup

1. Switch the equipment off, unplug it from the mains and let the tubes cool completely.
2. Identify the phase inverter position from the amplifier's tube chart and remove the old tube.
3. Press the ECC82-TK fully into the socket, pins aligned.
4. Power up, allow the tubes to warm up and check the sound at low volume before playing or listening at full level.

Tip: Keep the matched quad together in the same circuit.

Workflow 2: Headphone amplifier

Listeners with tube headphone amplifiers specified for the 12AU7 or ECC82.

Connections

Connect	To
ECC82‑TK	12AU7 / ECC82 socket of the headphone amplifier
Four ECC82‑TK tubes	Use as many tubes as the amplifier calls for

Setup

1. Switch the equipment off, unplug it from the mains and let the tubes cool completely.
2. Remove the original tubes, noting each position.
3. Fit the ECC82-TK tubes in the same positions.
4. Warm up with the volume at minimum, then bring the level up and listen.

Workflow 3: Phono stage

Vinyl listeners whose tube phono preamplifier uses the 12AU7.

Connections

Connect	To
ECC82‑TK	12AU7 socket of the phono stage

Setup

1. Switch the equipment off, unplug it from the mains and let the tubes cool completely.
2. Lift the cover and remove the old tubes one at a time.
3. Fit each ECC82-TK in the position of the tube it replaces.
4. Warm up, then play a record at low volume and check both channels.

Workflow 4: Hi-fi line stage and driver

High-end home audio with a 12AU7 line amplifier or driver stage.

Connections

Connect	To
ECC82‑TK	Line or driver stage 12AU7 socket

Setup

1. Switch the equipment off, unplug it from the mains and let the tubes cool completely.
2. Remove the tube from the line or driver stage.
3. Fit the ECC82-TK and refit any tube cage.
4. Power up, allow the tubes to warm up and check the sound at low volume before playing or listening at full level.

Workflow 5: Lower gain preamp position

Guitarists after more headroom from a preamp position that accepts a 12AU7.

Connections

Connect	To
ECC82‑TK	Preamp socket where the amplifier maker allows a 12AU7

Setup

1. Switch the equipment off, unplug it from the mains and let the tubes cool completely.
2. Check the amplifier documentation that the position accepts a 12AU7.
3. Swap the existing tube for the ECC82-TK.
4. Power up, warm up and reset the gain to taste.

Workflow 6: Studio and rental spares

Studios and rental stores keeping a stock of ECC82 replacements.

Connections

Connect	To
ECC82‑TK	Spares stock, labelled by type
Equipment	Any 12AU7 / ECC82 socket that needs a replacement

Setup

1. Switch the equipment off, unplug it from the mains and let the tubes cool completely.
2. Store spare tubes in their packaging, away from knocks.
3. Replace the suspect tube with an ECC82-TK in the same position.
4. Power up, warm up and check level and noise before the next booking.