More fun rolling with premium quality NOS ECC83 tubes...

[Marco]

Guys,

Having recently played with some very nice NOS 1960s Tungsram ECC83s:



And some equally lovely 1960s Mazda Chrome plates:





I've now purloined some very nice early 1960s Mullard CV4035/M8214s:





...which should arrive soon from the States. The only CV4004 types I've tried before were some 1980s Mullards, which I got from Langrex, and whilst they were good, they weren't quite to my taste. I usually always find 70s/80s NOS ECC83s as being inferior to the best ones from the 50s and 60s.

Therefore, I'm hoping that these vintage CV4035s will be rather special. As you can see from the photo, they are fitted with custom valve bases (as they'd originally had 'flying leads'), designed to optimise connection quality and make them 'plug & play'. Full report to follow when they arrive!

Marco.

[goraman]

Which one is you favorite?

[Riislingen]

Ohhh, the CV4004 looks like the ones from "The Monger" - is it ?

I´m using that one in my Croft linestage. Best ECC83 I´ve ever used..

[Marco]

Hi Jeff,

Which one is you favorite?

Dunno yet, as the Mullards haven't arrived. However, between the Tungsram and Mazda chrome plates, the Tungsram wins!

I also rate Tesla ECC803Ss, which I've got (shown on the left, next to some nice 1950s Mullard box-plate CV4004s):





Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Mikkel,

Ohhh, the CV4004 looks like the ones from "The Monger" - is it ?

Not sure what "The Monger" is... Could you enlighten me?

I´m using that one in my Croft linestage. Best ECC83 I´ve ever used..

By that, do you mean you're using one of the CV4035s that I've ordered (and shown in my opening post)?

Marco.

[Ammonite Audio]

Having tried quite a few ECC83 tubes in my Paul Hynes Veron Concert phono amp, including new Electro Harmonix bought from Marco, Sovtek, Shuguang, Psvane, I finally took the plunge and bought a NOS diamond base Telefunken (for nearly £100), to go with the ECC82 Telefunken that I already had. Both these tubes are by far the best that I've tried, being particularly vibrant and colourful in character, and well worth the lofty price tag.

[Marco]

Teles are nice, Hugo, although in *some* circuits their sonic presentation can be a little too 'matter of fact'. I guess it's a German thing. However, tube-rolling is all about achieving synergy!

Marco.

[Riislingen]

Hi Mikkel,



Not sure what "The Monger" is... Could you enlighten me?



By that, do you mean you're using one of the CV4035s that I've ordered (and shown in my opening post)?

Marco.

Sorry, went into tube euphoria here.

"The Monger" would be: http://www.tubemonger.com/

Yes to the CV4035/M8214, I use that exact one in my Charisma - it´s outstanding. I bought it from "The Monger" last year and haven´t switched since. I believe he invented that bakelit socket they are mounted on - normally the M8214 is a "flying leads" long life version of the regular CV4004 Box Plate.

You should definetely look forward to receiving them regardless

[Marco]

Hi Mikkel,

Lol - yes, it was "The Monger" I bought them from. I've bought lots of NOS tubes from him, and they're always top-notch!

I didn't know that you had a Charisma - nice one. Have you modded it at all, or is it stock?

Good to know that the CV4035s are special; I thought they might be!

Marco.

[Riislingen]

Hi Mikkel,

Lol - yes, it was "The Monger" I bought them from. I've bought lots of NOS tubes from him, and they're always top-notch!

I didn't know that you had a Charisma - nice one. Have you modded it at all, or is it stock?

Good to know that the CV4035s are special; I thought they might be!

Marco.

Hi Marco,

Yes, I have one of the earlier ones. A Charisma Elite.

It just came back from being fettled at Glenns 2 weeks ago. Dual valve regulation, dual tranformers and what else..

I posted pictures in the "Gallery" section I believe - go have a look

What can I say, I´m a Croft-aholic. Having had an old Micro, new Micro 25 (now sold to Andrew E on this forum), an old 5 series, a Vista and now a newer Series V with the Charisma Elite.

I did try the Series 7 regular about 1,5 years ago, but didn´t go for it. Curious about the 7R I must say.