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RE: Blackburn MicroTech E813CC

Posted by jjmcs49 on July 20, 2009 at 11:37:36:
I ordered 2 a couple of weeks ago and received them within 4 days (in Indiana). I use them in a Hammond XK-3 and 3300 Leslie so my impressions probably won't help much regarding audiophile needs.

To me they sound very good throughout the full frequency range of a Hammond organ (~32Hz -> ~6000Hz). They do not roll off any of the high and low frequencies like other new production tubes I have tried (particularly when overdriven). It takes a much hotter signal to get them to begin to overdrive/distort but when they do it sounds very good (in terms of an overdriven Hammond).

I received an email from Andy Blades about the same time they were shipped and we corresponded a couple of times via email regarding my impressions. In one I mentioned hearing a bit of a tapping sound when a note was played - usually only when the signal going into the tube was pretty hot/just before distortion could be heard. I suspected this might be a symptom of microphics. I tried a couple of silicone washers I bought at a hardware store a couple of years ago that fit the tubes. It seems to have resolved it. I haven't had a chance to play much since then to verify this so have not gotten back to Andy about it yet. Today I received a couple of silicone sleeves from Tube Tech to try and see if this takes care of it. I am impressed.

I read somewhere on their website that when they took all the microphonics out of the tube it caused the tube to sound lifeless (I'm paraphrasing). The sudden hard attack of the notes (particularly with percussion on) along with the hot input may have caused some vibration. The tube that is in the Leslie is standing right infront of the horn as it passes by and the sound coming from the horn a few inches away has not caused any symptom/problem.

The nice warm tone, no frequency roll off and hefty overdrive growl make these excellent tubes for my application. I look forward to trying their versions of the 12AU7 and 12AT7 when they become available.

Jim