New Mullard tubes coming ...

Any idea when these will be available?

Bob Latino wrote:I got an Email today from Newsensor who imports the newer Russian made "Mullard" tubes .. They are expanding their line to now include the tubes listed below.

6L6GC Mullard is a rugged reliable replacement for any 6L6 or 5881 type. Perfect replacement for the output valves used in the reissue Marshall JTM-45 head and Bluesbreaker Combo amplifiers.

6V6GT Mullard (Available in March) is built to stand the high voltages encountered in the Fender Deluxe Reverb and other guitar amplifiers that ran the valves above the published specification. The smooth and balanced frequency response also makes it suitable for hi-fi use.

CV4004/12AX7 Mullard is a high gain, low noise valve with a short plate structure for reduced microphonics. Excellent for use in high gain Marshall pre-amplifier circuits where noise and microphonics can be a problem.

GZ34 Mullard is a copy of the most popular rectifier valve ever built by Mullard. It has a low internal voltage drop and a controlled heater warm up time which helps extend the life of the other valves in the amplifier by allowing them to heat up before plate voltage is applied.

KT88 Mullard is an exact copy of the KT88 valves that were manufactured by Marconi-Osram for Marshall in the late 1960s and 1970s. Excellent replacement output valve for the Marshall Major to retain the original sound.

If anyone trys these tubes out, post on the forum here how they worked out in your amp ...

Bob

Bob, could that GZ 34 sub for a 33 in the M-125s?

Bob Latino wrote:Yes - You can use a GZ34 in the M-125's BUT - you will be running any GZ34 at or near its limit to supply current. This may make no difference if your speakers are efficient and easy to drive. With lower efficiency speakers, large rooms and difficult to drive loads a GZ33, GZ37 or the Weber WZ68 solid state rectifier is probably a better choice for a rectifier in the M-125's.

Bob

Actually, I haven't blown up any Weber WZ68s in a quite awhile. Troy worked some magic with them and I think my early issues with them was probably the <2 ohm speaker load I was attempting to run (Maggies paralleled with AMT Heils).   

I tried some cheap-o 5AR4s in those holes and they went 'poof' staightaway.

I went with a GZ37 here, but mostly because it just looks so darn purty amongst all the other big bottles ...



OK ... there WAS another reason - the GZ34 sounded like it was working kinda hard and pinching some trying to keep the KT120's happy under heavy load. The GZ37 was supposed to fix that and real happy with how it all worked out.

PS ... NOS for $99 ... was that a deal?

sKiZo wrote:I went with a GZ37 here, but mostly because it just looks so darn purty amongst all the other big bottles ...



OK ... there WAS another reason - the GZ34 sounded like it was working kinda hard and pinching some trying to keep the KT120's happy under heavy load. The GZ37 was supposed to fix that and real happy with how it all worked out.

PS ... NOS for $99 ... was that a deal?

Skiz, you showboat! Just 'nother excuse to show off that build of yours! Do you ever eschew an opportunity to make us mere mortals squirm and wriggle in our mere mortal-dom?
Man up and get a pair of GZ-33s, not many left, they draw the water down behind Grand Coulée Dam when I light mine up, and for a brief moment, the street lights go dim.

I went with the higher output max current ... the GZ33 tops out at 300, where the GZ37 gives you 350 ... that's ... mmmm ... er ... uh ... more!


SHOWBOAT ALERT!

sKiZo wrote:I went with the higher output max current ... the GZ33 tops out at 300, where the GZ37 gives you 350 ... that's ... mmmm ... er ... uh ... more!


SHOWBOAT ALERT!

Starts with a "P" and ends with a "K".

Plus my 33s are at least an inch longer than your 37s.

Nastygram PM to follow.

PS How do I know those aren't pumpkins?

Bob Latino wrote:

GZ34 Mullard is a copy of the most popular rectifier valve ever built by Mullard. It has a low internal voltage drop and a controlled heater warm up time which helps extend the life of the other valves in the amplifier by allowing them to heat up before plate voltage is applied.

If anyone trys these tubes out, post on the forum here how they worked out in your amp ...

Bob

Thanks Bob, I went ahead and ordered one of these. The Ruby 5AR4s are a definite step down from the old Mullards. Hope this one has some of the same magic.

I'll post about it.

check prices at TubeDepot.com
I noticed they sell the Mullard 12AX7 for $17 and it's $31 at NewSensor for the exact same tube!! Ripoff!

The manufacturers/imports won't compete with their resellers. But if you're willing to pay too much, they'll be happy to take your money!

Got my "New Mullard" GZ34 today. I plugged it in and it works, no drama. Even brand new I believe there to be an ever so slight improvement in the quality of sound my amp is producing. Even though I know many, including our own Bob Latino, have stated rectifiers have no bearing on sound quality; I remain convinced I hear a difference. To my ears, brain, or perhaps hallucinations the Ruby 5AR4 imparts a bit of annoying hardness to the sound. It's been too long since I had my "Old Mullard" for me to say how the new compares. I feel safe in recommending these as far as the sound goes. I'll get back with you in five years or so to let you know if they last.

In my humble opinion at these prices for the 5AR4, I would really consider purchasing a used (real McCoy) Mullard 5AR4 from a reputable dealer. For about twice the price but well proven, the older tubes are becoming that much simpler to justify the purchase.

Interesting as these new production tubes go up in price eventually the older (ANOS) or NOS tubes will also follow suit. I guess we are in that transitional period where the new production tubes are still under question as to quality, integrity, longevity and the sellers/dealers of NOS or used older tubes (non-modern made) are not sure if they can raise their prices and have them stick. Eventually they will converge.

I'm also in the difference you can hear camp on rectifiers. There's a pronounced improvement going from the GZ34 to the GZ37 driving the KT120's. More open and detailed. I'd think a lot of that has to do with the higher reserve power available to the amp. Instantaneous peaks and all that - and I drive it hard ...

I also saw improvements using the WZ68 copper cap, but that's got no glow ...  

BNR_1 wrote:In my humble opinion at these prices for the 5AR4, I would really consider purchasing a used (real McCoy) Mullard 5AR4 from a reputable dealer. For about twice the price but well proven, the older tubes are becoming that much simpler to justify the purchase.

Interesting as these new production tubes go up in price eventually the older (ANOS) or NOS tubes will also follow suit. I guess we are in that transitional period where the new production tubes are still under question as to quality, integrity, longevity and the sellers/dealers of NOS or used older tubes (non-modern made) are not sure if they can raise their prices and have them stick. Eventually they will converge.

Never the less, and not having the old stock Mullard to compare...
If one is constrained by budgetary concerns, yet can swing the $40-$50 the New Sensor Mullards go for, they are a worthwhile step up from the Shuguang 5AR4 tubes. (In my opinion)

Now there are also Genelex Gold Lion 5AR4's available ... if they perform the same way as the GL KT88's the 5AR4's will be a winner.

fswidecki wrote:

BNR_1 wrote:In my humble opinion at these prices for the 5AR4, I would really consider purchasing a used (real McCoy) Mullard 5AR4 from a reputable dealer.  For about twice the price but well proven, the older tubes are becoming that much simpler to justify the purchase.

Interesting as these new production tubes go up in price eventually the older (ANOS) or NOS tubes will also follow suit.  I guess we are in that transitional period where the new production tubes are still under question as to quality, integrity, longevity and the sellers/dealers of NOS or used older tubes (non-modern made) are not sure if they can raise their prices and have them stick.  Eventually they will converge.

Never the less, and not having the old stock Mullard to compare...
If one is constrained by budgetary concerns, yet can swing the $40-$50 the New Sensor Mullards go for, they are a worthwhile step up from the Shuguang 5AR4 tubes. (In my opinion)

I read you fswidecki. I am in the same boat with the EL34s. In this case the price delta between modern and the highly praised tubes of the past are so much it is worth asking the question of which modern tubes are worth considering.

BNR_1 wrote: I am in the same boat with the EL34s.  In this case the price delta between modern and the highly praised tubes of the past are so much it is worth asking the question of which modern tubes are worth considering.

Hey BNR,

I still have the set of four Sylvania "fat bottles" I got with the amp when I bought it used. They are sitting in the closet because I'm afraid to use them. A couple of years ago I saw a set of them go for >$600 on Ebay. Ya interested? 

those Sylvania "fat boys" are very fine wine indeed, you should get them out and enjoy them for an hour or two.
There are some here at the bottom of the page for $95 each or $199 match pairs . . . http://www.audiotubes.com/el34.htm
I must admit, I wound up selling mine last year for around $400, they came with an amp I bought for $200 ten years ago.
I sold the amp for around $400 also. For a modern tube the EH 6CA7 is fairly good! Give them 30-50 hours of burn-in.

tubes4hifi wrote: you should get them out and enjoy them for an hour or two

Well now, this is a great idea. It goes to show how dumb I can be (you listening Laminarman?). It never occurred to me to do this. Just because it makes no sense for me to use them for general purpose listening, such as following sporting games on satellite radio; why wouldn't I use them once in a while for that special piece of music I've been wanting to play? I don't know. I just didn't think of it. Thanks!

fswidecki wrote:

BNR_1 wrote: I am in the same boat with the EL34s.  In this case the price delta between modern and the highly praised tubes of the past are so much it is worth asking the question of which modern tubes are worth considering.

Hey BNR,

I still have the set of four Sylvania "fat bottles" I got with the amp when I bought it used. They are sitting in the closet because I'm afraid to use them. A couple of years ago I saw a set of them go for >$600 on Ebay. Ya interested? 

fswidecki thanks for the thoughts, but I won't be able to get the scratch for these fine boys. Don't be afraid to use them. Unless you know your amp is somewhat in questionable condition, you be very surprise by the robustness in those fat boys. And more importantly you will probably enjoy the sound.

I wish New Sensor would reissue the Mullard CV4003 (12AU7).  I am auditioning a new pair of speakers (Nola Contender) and popped a few of the Upscale Audio A-grade CV4003s in the phase inverter position of the ST-120.  Very nice.  Smooth vocals and a lot of detail.  Nice refined sparkle on the top.  (Other tubes - Black Treasure CV-181 in numero uno and KT-120s).

Or the CV491 (12AU7 long plate) which was produced in the 50s. NOS go for $299 a pop.

Bob Latino wrote:I believe that they are all available right now except for the 6V6 .. Link to the Mullard tubes and Newsensor's retail pricing for these below .. If you go up on Ebay you can probably get these tubes for a little less money ..

Mullard tubes at Newsensor...

Bob

My first (2nd hand) Dynaco ST-70 is a MkII version by Panor Corp. In that one I use GE 6GH8A (NOS-USA) and a matched quad (105 $ for the set of 4) of Russian made Mullard EL-34.
The ones you mention.
I cannot say that I have a lot of experience with them as I do not use that amp much anymore (now that I have the ST-120). But with this set of tubes, the amp sounds terrific.
To bias them, I had to turn the bias voltage level way up in comparison with the "Dynaco" 6GH8A (China made so probably Shuguang) and 4 Svetlana Winged C EL-34's
the amp came with. (I do not believe these Svetlana's to be NOS).
So the "Mullards" look great (nice clear markings) and sound great and ..... need quite some bias adjustment (within range however).
I prefer Russian made tubes over Chinese.... Svetlana, Electro Harmonix and others are famous for their long term reliability.
Personally I think the Mullards can be recommended.