Calling All Mullard Experts

[Hypnotoad]

I have a nice little ProJect Tube Box II phono preamp and have been using some NOS Phillip/Amperex 12AX7 valves which have a very detailed, forward sound.

I was wanting to get opinions of the various Mullard valves, particularly the difference between the long plates and short plates.

What experience do you guys have with these tubes and what are the main sonic differences?

These tube sell for a premium on ebay and the like. I would like to pick up a pair but need some feedback before I buy.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

[alfie2902]

Hi Phil,

Firstly I'm no Mullard or tube expert but I have had a play with a few tubes over the last few months. My P10 phono stage uses one 12ax7/Ecc83 along with one 6922/Ecc88 & I've tried an hand full of each.

The Philips Miniwatt 12ax7 I tried was a fairly balanced sound, good detail, with good bass & nice sweet treble but just a little forward in the mids.

I've tried 2 Mullards a CV4004 & a 12ax7 'long plate' both similar sounding, a warmer, smoother sounding tube. The CV4004 the smoother of the 2 & just a little more detailed but 12ax7 is slightly richer in the mids with slight better vocal, both have good bass.

I've got a Ecc83 Telefunken 'Smooth Plate' in the p10 atm. It's not as rich sounding as the Mullards & a little more detailed but still has a good midrange but more extended highs & sounds more open with more air.

A cheaper option & well worth a try would be a pair of 5751 's I picked up a single Sylvania 5751 for just a few quid from ebay & to my ears sounded as good as any of the above warm but lively & detailed with lovely smooth treble, lovely mids with the vocal pushed well into the room, perhaps a little forward though! the only problem with the 5751 is that it has less gain than the 12ax7 & not quite enough in my P10 in my present set up.

Hope this helps a little.

[Rare Bird]

I have a nice little ProJect Tube Box II phono preamp and have been using some NOS Phillip/Amperex 12AX7 valves which have a very detailed, forward sound.

I was wanting to get opinions of the various Mullard valves, particularly the difference between the long plates and short plates.

What experience do you guys have with these tubes and what are the main sonic differences?

These tube sell for a premium on ebay and the like. I would like to pick up a pair but need some feedback before I buy.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

Try get some old Telefunken 12AX7 with blue tips, they are medical grade

[DSJR]

I bought some tested & matched Mullard long-plate ECC82's for the Croft and didn't care for them overmuch, finding them too old fashioned "valvey." However, the mil spec versions are fine and thanks to a certain Mr Shiels, I now have CV4003's and 4004's in the Croft and the sound is fine, being open enough without any obvious bass bloat or treble softness. I also have some JAN5814a's for the line stage, which sharpen the sound up a bit too much, but are incredibly clear.

[John]

Be worth speaking to Anthony TD his knowledge around tubes is very good and is a great person to buy in confidence from

[Mike]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...STRK:MESELX:IT

[anthonyTD]

hi all,
most of the traits you guys have commented on here i would agree with, however i will add one from my own prefrence,,, if you want a real good all-rounder, then i would take the CV4004/M8137 [box plate] in most applications.
their not cheap now but they have a long life [typicaly 10,000 hours] so probably the last ECC83 some of you will ever need!!!
A...

[Marco]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...STRK:MESELX:IT

That one's not mine - but I've got one of the Tech-Tube E813CCs for sale (near) brand new and boxed for sale at a bargain price if anyone is interested

As for Phil's question, I'd agree with the comments made so far. Most Mullard ECC83/32/35 types I've heard are somewhat boom 'n' tizz and exhibit quite a pronounced sonic signature. If you like this, that's fine, but personally I prefer valves which impart as little of their own 'sound' on the music as possible....

In that respect, the best I've encountered is the Telefunken ECC803S:





Truly the king of ECC83/12AX7s - at a price!

Marco.

[Mike]

That one's not mine.

Coz it's mine yer numpty!

[Marco]

Hahahahahahaha......

Marco.