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In Reply to: Mullard EL84's a few questions? posted by braillediver on October 01, 2002 at 16:43:31:
My first question is whether the construction is the same on both tubes. A true Mullard EL84 would have a round "port hole" in the middle of the plate. All of the "Hammond" labled EL84's that I have have a rectangular slot in the middle of the plate. If they have the rectangular slot, they are Philips/Amperex made which isn't a bad thing, it's just that they aren't Mullard made. The round "port hole" in the plate is the indicator that the tube is a Mullard.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
Follow Ups:
Yes the vent hole is circular. They basically look alike just cosmetic differences. The plates are the same size and all. The 2 flat things on top are similar; one tube has them angled towards each other compared to the other tube. The filament is more exposed on one than the other which I guess is why it glows brighter. And the glass of one is mottled or speckled. They are both old looking and labeled made in Great Britain.One has an A and a small T or something similar on the base and one has a B on the base.
To cut to the chase: They were $21 each described as used and a little smokey. Sonically I wasn’t impressed the Sylvania grey plates sounded better. Am I just being a butthead? One thing about tubes that I like is the aesthetics, they look beautiful and are functional, can art get any better? These look like mutant orphans and weren’t impressive in anyway.
The ones you describe are Mullards. I'm not a big fan of Mullard EL84's to use in any of the EL84 audio amps that I have either. I do like to use them in my guitar amps however(actually one of my favorites). They produce a real rich and complex kind of distortion that I like when you overdrive them. As for their aesthetics, the brown build up inside the glass is just the normal characteristic for a Mullard EL84. Yes, they do look like mutant orphans sometimes.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
Sidegetter,I agree with your comments on Mullards in HiFi amps. Of the NOS that I do have - Mullard, Brimar, Philips - I prefer the Brimar. Though I wouldn't be suprised if some Brimar labelled NOS where in fact made by Mullard.
I've found that the JJ's are about the best current production.What are you using ?
Regards,
Andy.
I currently use Amperex B/B D-getters or the later production halo-getter EL84's. They are my favorite to use in audio gear. I also use Genalex N709's which appear to be the same tube as the Amperex D-getter's. I also use Tungsram (mine are labled International Brand) and they work well if you bias them a little hotter. Last but not least, I like RCA black D-plate 6BQ5's. I also use Sylvania 7189's which say "Made in Holland" "Tested in the USA". I also have a set of Telefunken 7189's that I use in my Scott 399 receiver. As for new production tubes, I like EI's. They are a good sounding tube for the bucks. I will have to try the JJ's. I haven't liked any of the Russian made EL84's. Perhaps I have not tried the right ones as others seem to like them. I should also mention that I started stocking up on EL84's around 10 years ago before prices and availability went nuts.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
Any pointers or suggestions on identifying some good Brimars? I contacted the guy I got the tubes from and said I want to return them. He claims an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee. He has some used Brimars I could swap for. I can’t be sending back every tube so this would be one last shot. Or just a refund?As a kick in the teeth I went to my dealer yesterday. I got 3 Amperex Bugle Boy EL 84’s and 2 Mullard 7189’s they are used but I got all 5 for $50. He didn’t think much of the tubes I had just bought.
Thanks for the handholding. Being new Ito tubes I don’t know what to expect. I’m just glad the tubes I need aren’t the expensive ones that would be very stressful.
Since I mentioned hand holding this is what he has. Any preferences? They are used and average about $20-$25 each for the classic tubes. Or should I just quit now?
EL84 Amperex Globe OL Top Getter Round Halo Copper Grid Supports
EL84 Amperex Bugle Boy Top Getter Round Halo Copper Grid Supports
EL84 Amperex Bugle Boy Top Getter D Halo Copper Grid Supports
7189 Brimar English Top Getter Round Angled Halo
EL84 BVA English Top Getter Round Halo Copper Grid Supports
EL84 Mullard Top Getter Round Halo Copper Grid Supports
6BQ5 RCA Gray Plates Top Getter Round Solid Halo
6BQ5 Sylvania Gray Plates Top Getter Round Halo Copper Grid Supports
EL84 Valvo Early Phillips Top Getter Round Small Halo
braillediver,There's quite a selection there!
Like Sidegetter, I had stocks of NOS collected, in some cases from over 25 years ago. It's ironic that at one time a local retailer sold prized NOS valves to me for next to nothing. He could barely give them away then.
These days I tend to pick carefully through the current production thats out there, as NOS prices have reached silly levels.
The Brimars that I use were collected years ago, and still going strong. They are marked 'Brimar' and 'EL84', and have the Top Getter Round Angled Halo that you describe plus a rectangular slot vent in the anode. I've had them for so long I'm confident they are genuine.
You will have to experiment. Thats part of the fun, but I wouldn't get too hung up on collecting so many different sets of valves.
Unfortunately there's a lot of faking, and relabelling going on now. Take the time to study pictures and genuine valve structures, and labels before forking out hard cash. At least your dealer has had the honesty to inform you that these valves are used.Regards,
Andy
Your experience is not uncommon I think. Sounds like they are mullard manufactured. Sonically, they should be the same as most other mullard el84s even if they don't look as pretty and aren't stamped with the logo. The physical differences may be because the two tubes were manufactured some years apart. If they were matched it shouldn't matter.Not that I know anything about NOS/used el84s, but I have heard good things about Tungsram el84s. They probably aren't quite as much as the mullards if you can find them.
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