PDA

View Full Version : NOS Mullard Buying advice


beadlesabout
16-03-2020, 23:14
Hi. Sorry if this question has been asked a dozen times. I need a NOS Mullard CV4004 to try in my Croft and I can’t find any suppliers outside of eBay. Within eBay I have no idea which one to go for. If there is any variation I’m after the darkest sounding variation with most rolled off highs.

Any advice on where to source for not crazy money?

Thanks
Jazid
16-03-2020, 23:40
Sorry to answer you like this but 'you pays yer money and you takes yer choice'.
It's 100% pot luck on the 'bay for premium valves.

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
Barry
16-03-2020, 23:49
Genuine NOS valves will come in their original packaging. But beware there are an awful lot of counterfeits out there, including the packaging.
southall-1998_mk2
16-03-2020, 23:53
Sorry to answer you like this but 'you pays yer money and you takes yer choice'.
It's 100% pot luck on the 'bay for premium valves.

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk

+1

S.
beadlesabout
17-03-2020, 06:54
I was rather hoping someone might know of somebody outside of eBay I could do business with. Someone who is trustworthy and might let me try before I buy. That’s the dream anyway!
Jazid
17-03-2020, 07:10
Have you tried Langrex and Billington yet? Phone them up, don't use their ebay portal.
After that I'd try Edicron and also on the off chance Mullard Magic who doesn't have NOS but tests properly. There is also Lawrence in Hong Kong, can't remember his trading name.

They are around but apart from one that sold on AoS a few months ago for peanuts (damn, missed it) most hang on to them, they are really that good. Worth the hunt! If you find a tranche please let me know [emoji16]

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
Jazid
17-03-2020, 07:11
Try before you buy with NOS CV4004. You're having a laff right?

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
da2222
17-03-2020, 09:43
I was rather hoping someone might know of somebody outside of eBay I could do business with. Someone who is trustworthy and might let me try before I buy. That’s the dream anyway!


NOS try before you buy? Keep dreaming indeed:lol:
Ali Tait
17-03-2020, 10:25
How can you try NOS? If you did they wouldn't be NOS anymore lol.
anthonyTD
17-03-2020, 10:35
For future refrence,
I have small stocks of NOS Mullards, including; ECC83, most variants, including CV4004, M8137, ECC81, CV4024, ECC82, M8136,ECC88, EL84, EL34, GZ34, EL37, etc,etc.
I also have many other types of old stock valves in stock, including preamp valves, rectifiers, and power valves.
The term "silly money" and the amount that this equates to will be determined by each individual i guess, all the valves i supply are genuine NOS, and usualy come in the original box, unless otherwise stated!
da2222
17-03-2020, 10:42
How can you try NOS? If you did they wouldn't be NOS anymore lol.

Exactly
Marco
17-03-2020, 10:57
How can you try NOS? If you did they wouldn't be NOS anymore lol.

Ha - indeed... As you know full well, as soon as you apply power to a valve, in circuit (especially ones that are 30, 40 years old or more) what happens next is often in the lap of the gods!

Marco.
Ali Tait
17-03-2020, 12:16
Yep, especially with the age of these things.
User211
17-03-2020, 13:28
I think eBay is fine for the most part. Just use the stats but a lot of sellers have amazing feedback for selling valves - many 1000s in some cases still with superb feedback.

I speak as I have been using it for this purpose since it began pretty much.

Sure not everything has been perfect but where it hasn't been it has been resolved for about 97% of my cases.

The fact is it is an amazing resource for buying valves.
Ali Tait
17-03-2020, 15:08
Yes agreed, just use sellers with lots of good feedback and you should be fine.

Do your own research though, so you can check what you're getting are the real thing.
mik_rik
17-03-2020, 16:33
Pre-amp valves do not have as hard a life as output valves so even after tears of use they can still test as new.They are less of a risk to buy s/h and will be cheaper.If you do buy new or s/h ,do not pay extra for yellow print Mullards,they are no different to white label types.You may find Brimar will give the type of sound you described and should be cheaper still,but do your homework because a lot of tube manufacturers bought in and rebranded stock from inferior suppliers after they stopped making their own.It can be a minefield.Just my 2pennorth Good luck Mick
beadlesabout
18-03-2020, 18:39
Evening all,

Thanks for your comments. Point noted on NOS! I wonder in fact if a really "strong" and known to be good valve is sometimes better? I am no expert, but I'd almost rather part with my money for that as there are fewer unknowns.

Anyway, here is where I am with my seemingly endless tube rolling with my croft 25 (zero gain ECC2 version) and series 7 (normal version). I am absolutely 100% certain that I like my Mullard M8136 in the 25, so it's a lovely feeling to close the door on one thing at least and shows it is possible! I'll buy some spares and that will be that :)

In the 7, I have tried many valves and some are so close but not quite right. I've narrowed it down to the stock JJ, a JAN GE 5751 and a Mullard ECC83 Ladder Plate (Yellow Print - Meaningless I know). The JJ doesn't do vocals and mids smooth enough for me and the 5751 is a bit too hifi (sorry, I'm coming from a Quad 33/303). The Mullard ECC83 is Superb. From the bottom through the middle it is stupendous and could make me cry sometimes it's so good, but right at the top the treble stands out disproportionally to the the rest of the frequency range. It's overall so warm and smooth but sometimes cymbals and in particular brushes on cymbals are much louder in the mix than the ought to be I think.

This leaves me wondering:

A) How different would another Mullard ECC83 be? Is there some variation in them? Worth a punt on another?
B) How different is a CV4004 / M8137? I notice they are box plate, presume they sound different?

I'd quite like to try a CV4004, even if it's not virginal. If anyone knows of a swap shop? Otherwise I shall let the moths out of my wallet.

Whilst I'm here, anyone know how many posts before I can buy and sell here?

Cheers
Jazid
18-03-2020, 21:46
M8137 is a different beast, if you are a tube roller that is. In the circuits I've tried it on (tbh not many) it has always brought heft and a surefootedness to the music. You won't lose money if it is a half way decent example, but it may cost you. Exaggerated treble is not a feature that I have experienced with them, I have with 5751 in my Vinyl1 which is a pity as it has about 500% too much gain as is.

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk
goraman
24-03-2020, 08:05
If you are wiling to step away from Mallards ?
I love these and like them a little more, https://tubedepot.com/products/genalex-gold-lion-b759-ecc83-12ax7-preamp-vacuum-tube?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjNWO-NGy6AIVoxx9Ch2VjwATEAQYAiABEgIZkPD_BwE
goraman
24-03-2020, 08:09
If you are wiling to step away from Mullards ?
I love these and like them a little more, https://tubedepot.com/products/genalex-gold-lion-b759-ecc83-12ax7-preamp-vacuum-tube?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjNWO-NGy6AIVoxx9Ch2VjwATEAQYAiABEgIZkPD_BwE

You will find they have as black of back ground if not better than NOS, Really no noise floor and the midrange is really full and nuanced also mid bass is very well controlled.
ovlov854
24-03-2020, 10:12
M8137 is a different beast, if you are a tube roller that is. In the circuits I've tried it on (tbh not many) it has always brought heft and a surefootedness to the music. You won't lose money if it is a half way decent example, but it may cost you. Exaggerated treble is not a feature that I have experienced with them, I have with 5751 in my Vinyl1 which is a pity as it has about 500% too much gain as is.

Sent from my BLA-L09 using Tapatalk

I have had success with using GE 5751 and Sylvania 5751 in my Pre amp but the good'uns can be a trifle dear but not as bad as Mullards. They also work very well in my RWA HPA.

You might explore Brimar as I understand that many of them were made in the same factory as Mullards. I had a pair of Brimar CV in my pre with good results.

As said previously take the advice in the thread but at the end of the day it's suck it and see
ovlov854
24-03-2020, 10:21
As you are not going to be too busy over the next few months...................:lol:
Here is some good reading material

https://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html

I have found this an excellent guide but remember its still one person's opinion
da2222
24-03-2020, 11:48
As you are not going to be too busy over the next few months...................:lol:
Here is some good reading material

https://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html

I have found this an excellent guide but remember its still one person's opinion

Ah Joe's tube Lore- the classic!! His words inspired thousands to seek out 3 mica/ GB Sylvanias, amongst others. Prices went sky high and continue upwards; if he'd been on commission he'd undoubtedly be a multi millionaire.