Mullard vs. Amperex EL84 for audio amplifier?

I bought a piece with Russian stock tubes. I forget the exact designation of them but even after letting them burn in I didn't like the sound. I had some used Mullards from a Sherwood amp I had and switched them in. The difference was remarkable. All the usual audiophile adjectives aplly, sweet, airy, musical simply delightful, I can't give them a stronger recommendation. I can't tell you about the Amperex but I hope this helps.

Steve

Matsushita is very nice and it is basically Mullard..., posted on May 27, 2012 at 22:06:12

Minussss3db
Manufacturer

Posts: 576
Location: so cal
Joined: January 28, 2010

toshiba I don't know for sure, but Matsushita is quite good, and to me not really distinguishable for mullard, because they are basically mullard....perhaps others know more than me, however what I scavenged long ago from an old Japanese Receiver was quite good.

here is an ebay listing...no connection or knowledge of listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matsushita-EL84-Tube-pair-Matsushita-6BQ5-tube-pair-/260653924410?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3cb02f403a

good luck
-3db

RE: Matsushita is very nice and it is basically Mullard..., posted on May 28, 2012 at 08:21:53
Eli Duttman Audiophile Posts: 7594 Location: Plainsboro, NJ Joined: March 31, 2000	You're on target. Matsushita acquired their tooling from Mullard. Little wonder that their production is basically Mullard made in Japan. Perhaps Matsushita's production is a tad less durable than English made Mullard. Still it's very good stuff and carries a hefty price tag. Eli D.

RE: I can comment on the Mullards, posted on May 28, 2012 at 08:33:34
Eli Duttman Audiophile Posts: 7594 Location: Plainsboro, NJ Joined: March 31, 2000	It pays to remember that Amperex and Mullard, along with many more, were labels owned by Dutch electronics giant Philips. Philips acquired U.S. maker Amperex in order to obtain access to the lucrative U.S. DoD contract market. The Amperex plant at Hicksville, NY, made some nice tubes. Check what a Hicksville made 7308 sets you back out. Eli D.

RE: Mullard vs. Amperex EL84 for audio amplifier?, posted on May 28, 2012 at 09:22:15

Neff

It is a matter of taste- both are good in guitar amps. Never cared for Russian EL84. JJ makes a very good sounding EL84 in guitar amps.

GE & Sylvania 6BQ5 handily beats both in home audio amps. GE for PP & Sylvania for SE amps. Mullard needs to be biased to the limit (hot) to sound ok if perhaps a little too warm sounding masking some details. GE & Sylvania are crystal clear with a huge soundstage plus distinct placement of instruments & singers with black area in-between. Ain't happening with Mullard or others to the detail I described. And my observations were in six different amps.

RE: Mullard vs. Amperex EL84 for audio amplifier?, posted on May 28, 2012 at 15:50:15
FenderLover Audiophile Posts: 7170 Joined: July 31, 2007	Neff, The GE or Sylvania even better than a good 1960's BB Amperex EL84? Of all the "Bugle Boy" hyped tubes, the EL84 seem to really be one of the best.

RE: Mullard vs. Amperex EL84 for audio amplifier?, posted on May 28, 2012 at 18:21:56
Neff	Yes, I preferred over Bugle Boy in home entertainment amps. I had about 12 brands of EL84 and even various years (early vs later). I simply went crazy having to know the best tube. I actually prefer cheap JJ to GE & Sylvania in guitar amps & so did a few musicians that attended the shootout.

Tubes Asylum

Mullard vs. Amperex EL84 for audio amplifier?

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