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In Reply to: RE: New Sensor Mullard 12AX7/CV4004 short plate posted by TubeAcolyte on April 27, 2014 at 08:05:56
"Looking at these new products, that CV4004 looks like a 12AX7 by Svetlana, but with a very healthy amount of getter"I don't think you can tell by looking. They may appear similar but that is as far as it goes. This has been discussed before and I don't think New Sensor is playing games. Quite simply there are some very good new production tubes out there. Do they equal the best of the old production?
No, not yet and perhaps never will...but I hope so.
Edits: 04/27/14 04/27/14Follow Ups:
Haha, I see how my phrasing may have seemed negative. I should have been more detailed. You're correct. They ARE entirely different - I would never dispute that. It's always entirely a question of materials, construction/production process, and QC. It's just interesting to note what New Sensor is doing with their tooling, and what mileage they can get out it. And, it's fun to see the improvement. It reminds me of the Sovtek LPS, Mullard, and Genalex 12AX7 - all similar by the eye, but distinguished by materials and QC. The same extends to their many of their other designs, I find. Soon, we may see a rebirth of the Sovtek WA and WB designs hahaha
And reflecting on it, I don't think I was fair in talking about the KT88 at all. As TubeMaze noted, it looks like a Genalex without the copper grid posts. What that has to do with Svetlana tubes? Nothing whatsoever, I entirely admit. On a side note, I had never noticed the extra fins on the Genalex lol... As they say, should have had a V8 or a Mars bar or whatever.
And really I KNOW I shouldn't comment on New Sensor's business, for I am ignorant of many things still lol. I am an economist by trade, and it is my curse. Speaking of economics, that Mullard 6L6GC looks mighty fine, but at $35 a piece, they're as expensive as some 6550's O.o
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May your tubes be lively and long-lasting. Holy be thy heater.
The SED KT88 does not look anything like the EH, Mullard and Gold Lion. The three latter look exactly the same. I think there is a tendency to get the highest price you can for an item. What exactly is the difference between the EH Mullard and Gold Lion KT88?
We use the Gold Lion KT88 as a option when you equip a PrimaLuna amp, and it is super. But if you use the EH because that's what fits in your budget, I wouldn't have too much heartburn.
As to the CV4004, the real Mullard was a box plate tube as was the CV4003. The new Mullard CV4004 looks like the Tung-sol except the getter is attached to a different point on the tube, but the getter doesn't effect the sound of any tube IMHO.
I would bet the CV4004 and Tung-sol look like the EH tube.
All the EH, Mullard, and Gold Lion tubes measure very well. Low in microphony and stay that way. I haven't had to warranty even one. Do they sound like a Mullard or Tungsram? Not to me. But as 12AX7's move into the stratosphere people will be able to get great sound with today's tubes.
Kevin,
The tubes have settled in and are a bit softer but still quite good. I have to agree that it is not a 'Tungsram' and I really hate to put sonics into words but that was what it resembled. I'm not sure that there will ever be an exact sonic copy of any old production tube.
Oopps! I wasn't referring to the SED KT88 earlier, but the Svetlana by New Sensor (as linked).
That said, this other tube does nothing but further your point, really! Just as well, however, it also underlines the presence of factors beyond what one visually gathers from the bottle. I like to think there are appreciable differences in a number of areas: vacuum quality, grid materials, cathode materials, this and that coating, glass quality, fresh/refreshed tooling, experienced workforce, extra production steps and QC, etc. Just the same, these are all ares which one can skimp here and there.
You mention the EH, and it is a great KT88. I have used them a couple of times. Solid tubes. I hear the EH division is based on the better part of post-USSR expertise and tooling, and I find their products reflect that generally. So, if selective skimping can save me 30% on my quad a tube whilst retaining 90-95% of the performance versus a NS-Genalex, ya I'm happy.
A beef I have is that many newer tubes don't really reach their datasheet design maximums for the most part, especially in regards to voltages. I can only think of skimping as the culprit. And that's upsetting for old Marshalls lol... Gold Lion KT77 take the abuse, but they're pretty expensive. At the rate I'll be picking them up, I should be start buying stock in the company hahahaha
And I'm still waiting on a faithful reproduction GE 6550A and a whole line based on high-wattage screens. Hmm... Ya.... lol
Speaking of box plate designs, have you any experience with new-production TJ Full Music 12AX7/AU7? I haven't seen hands-on an old box plate Mullard, but I have some of these TJ's, and they sound pretty awesome.
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May your tubes be lively and long-lasting. Holy be thy heater.
I must concur regarding the TJ Full Music 12AX/AU7 sounding awesome, like really really awesome !
TJ Totally nailed the quintessential qualities which define 'wholesome, fully dimensional Tube Sonics !'.. without any diminishment at either end of the spectrum.
Perhaps the only issue is that some of them can suffer from considerable tube rush noise, which given their very reasonable price if you know where to source them, is hardly a matter for grave concern.
They're not the tube for those seeking ultra clean resolution, like perhaps Tele's, Tungsrams or Tesla frame grid types... but these TJ's have musicality in spades and in absolute terms lack nothing IMHE ;-)
Review.
I meant nothing personal by the post and I am no expert on manufacturing tubes. ;-)
The cheap-o China 6SN7 is terrific if you buy quiet ones. Chinese EL34's are super. I love Shuguang KT88's but only in PrimaLuna where the plates and screens are run at just over 400vdc. But even at that the KT88 makes me nervous. 845's are super, but they have wised up and jacked up the price. I mean...it's worth it. But I used to buy them for nothing and sell them for slightly above nothing.
I remember the first Full Music tubes I got in. They said that inside the box was a "Vaccum Tube" If they can't spell check "Vacuum" that bugs me.
Didn't take it personally at all :)
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May your tubes be lively and long-lasting. Holy be thy heater.
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