Blackburn England making valves again!!!

[diamondsouled]

Here's an interesting as well as hopeful development.

They've decided to start manufacturing audio tubes/valves again at the original Blackburn Mullard site where so many great tubes were made. They're starting out with ECC81s, 82s and 83s.:

http://www.techtubevalves.com/about_us/index.php

It will be fantastic if they are able to broaden their line eventually as well as keep the prices fairly reasonable.

Lar

[Dynacophil]

Hi

will flatten the win of some dealers :)

[FalconEddy]

Yeah, September is here already, eh?

'TechTube' doesn't exactly sound like analog audio equipment, but it was most likely named for the times.

It will be interesting to see what they can come up with that parallel's the vintage Mullard ECC83's sound, and how competitive there's pricing is to dealers.

. . Falcon

[analog addict]

...Here (http://www.techtubevalves.com/valves/e813cc_datasheet.pdf)....

Not your daddy's ECC83.....:scratch2:

[sloober]

Wow, How cool!
Make sure to catch the news reel movie. It is over 30 min in length!

http://www.techtubevalves.com/about_us/film_reels.php

[jon_s]

I'm definitely interested to learn more. I am pleased that they aren't just copying an old tube design, but building something new with some new-tech enhancements. This could be a very good thing - about time! :thmbsp:

[spaceman]

Cool. :smoke:

[dividebytube]

Is it April 1st?? Wow is all I can say.

[diamondsouled]

They do look unique. Hope they sound as good as they look!

Lar

[NYListens]

I had a gut feeling that someone in the Western World would do this. I hope they are affordable.

[ducati_EL34]

I had a gut feeling that someone in the Western World would do this. I hope they are affordable.

Well a company in the U.S. is already doing this, albeit on the high end. They are producing WE 300B tubes, and others on original WE equipment.

http://www.westernelectric.com/index.html :yikes: They also have acquired all the tube assets of some European tube manufacturer...

[electroking]

Is that the place with four thousand holes? Hopefully a few free electrons as well...

[Destructor]

Hopefully they will go better than Grove Tubes attempt to manufacture US tubes, I think they've stopped production. I'm surprised the Japaneese haven't done this. Even though they helped the demise of most tube gear there are also many Japaneese tube enthusiasts.

[NYListens]

Hopefully they will go better than Grove Tubes attempt to manufacture US tubes, I think they've stopped production. I'm surprised the Japaneese haven't done this. Even though they helped the demise of most tube gear there are also many Japaneese tube enthusiasts.

Good point

[MoreCowbell]

Too bad the Mullard name was acquired by the New Sensor corp.

It will be interesting to see how their design turns out.

Very intriguing.


Paul

[andy]

The construction looks a lot like a CRT electron gun. I guess they went with what they knew.

[Fisherdude]

I had a gut feeling that someone in the Western World would do this. I hope they are affordable.

Gotta be cheaper than NOS Mullards.

I hope.

[Dave C]

I just want a new powerful 7591A that lasts. If it costs more I don't care, I just want it.

[bolly]

I just inquired as to the price of E812CC

[NYListens]

Gotta be cheaper than NOS Mullards.

I hope.

I hope they're as good or better.

[j4570]

Well, since CRT's are on the decline, I imagine there's a good bit of unused machinery there that they are trying to tap the production capability of.

Unfortunately, looks like the capacitance is changing, hope they aren't making a product that will require tweaking circuits as that will prevent tube rolling.

I think that they are making something new is interesting, but a reissue of original Blackburn's would be better. I'm thinking a 5AR4/GZ34 Blackburn reissue would sell quite well.

JW

[jon_s]

I think that they are making something new is interesting, but a reissue of original Blackburn's would be better. I'm thinking a 5AR4/GZ34 Blackburn reissue would sell quite well.


I think it was Rich Walters on diyaudio who did some serious 12AX7 testing and found that the Russian Mullard reproduction performs comparably to the original in terms of measured distortion. Pretty amazing, in fact, and probably the best new production tube from an objective standpoint. I've yet to try 'em, but they are first on my list.

[soundmotor]

I hope they are affordable.

Bwaaaaahaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaah!

:lmao:

[dividebytube]

good video on the original manufacturing plant
http://www.techtubevalves.com/about_us/film_reels.php

[sloober]

Got a reply from them today. They will be available starting in October. No pricing yet, but keep checking the site. They will be selling direct. They also noted that while they are on the original Blackburn site, and many people are from the old Mullard, these tubes are not the same as the old ones. They are based on cathode technology from the CRT industry. "Similar principle but better performance"
I can hardly wait!
John

[karlo]

will "the new technology" affect the sound of our beloved tube gear?

"10 year tube life" sounds pretty good...but then again i have had GE and
RCA 12AX7a tubes last 20+ years , w/ weekly use ,in guitar amps and mic preamps used in live sound, lugged around in vans and fogged w/ cigarrette
smoke.

i'd like to know how they'll sound, but i'd be more interested in EL-34/6L6/
5881 power tubes....they're the ones that wear-out .... signal/preamp tubes
don't concern me too much.

[loomis]

Boy that video is awesome!

[fsjonsey]

Really, this is pretty amazing from a technological standpoint. To see such a radical design change in a technology considered for all intents and purposes, obsolete, is really something.

[diamondsouled]

Boy that video is awesome!

It truly is isn't it?

Man I don't know if I could do one of those line jobs eight hours a day five days a week. Testing the completed tubes wouldn't be so bad.

Be nice to have a days run of GZ34s or 10Ms stashed away somewhere!

Lar

[wa2ise]

CRT cathode proven technology... Wonder if they acquired a huge pile of surplus CRT cathode/heater/grid structures? But those are somewhat non-linear, aka "remote cutoff". CRT grids tend to be just a single hole in a flat piece of metal, and that imparts the "gamma" curve associated with CRT monitors and TVs. :scratch2:

posted by j4570
Well, since CRT's are on the decline, I imagine there's a good bit of unused machinery there that they are trying to tap the production capability of.

That could be, such equipment was probably sold pennies on the dollar.

[LinuxGuru]

Sounds great. I wish someone at least will start production of high-quality 7591a.

[loomis]

yeah doing one of those line jobs eight hours a day would've surely been miserable.

[sloober]

I got a reply from Techtubes. They should be available by the end of the month. Pricing will be £20 - £30 per valve. ($34-$51) Seems a little steep, but I guess quality is not cheap. They also said while they are beginning with the 3 tubes shown on the site, they are then looking at EL34, EL84, KT88 and KT99. They hope to have them in early 09.
This should be interesting. Wish I could afford a whole fresh set for my Fisher 800c, but not gonna happen.
John

[sloober]

They have just updated their site with an FAQ with some new info. Hope they are available soon!

http://www.techtubevalves.com/about_us/questions_and_answers.php

[NYListens]

$30-50 is a bit expensive for a tube.

[sloober]

$30-50 is a bit expensive for a tube.

That's what I thought. No way I can afford a bunch of these. Perhaps it is the exchange rate? And what the heck is VAT rate. And duty too? Doodie :no:

£20 - £30 (UK VAT included) depending on volumes ordered. The VAT rate will vary depending on the "ship to Country and for exports out of the UK there will be an amount of duty to pay.

[NYListens]

That's what I thought. No way I can afford a bunch of these. Perhaps it is the exchange rate? And what the heck is VAT rate. And duty too? Doodie :no:

£20 - £30 (UK VAT included) depending on volumes ordered. The VAT rate will vary depending on the "ship to Country and for exports out of the UK there will be an amount of duty to pay.

VAT is the value added tax. Basically a government (EU) scam to fleece people of their hard earned money.

[sloober]

Perhaps we should all chip in for a bulk purchase if there is a discount for quantity ordered. At these prices I will keep using my Telefunkens I have found in vintage amps.

[NYListens]

Perhaps we should all chip in for a bulk purchase if there is a discount for quantity ordered. At these prices I will keep using my Telefunkens I have found in vintage amps.

Exactly. They would have to be a real revolution in sound to get me to even buy one pair and I don't think I could justify a full set for my stuff.

[dangerbird]

I like the idea of a potential group buy. At this point I'm just hoping for some quality/priced tubes.

[koseltri]

VAT is the value added tax.

The Brits refer to it variously as 'Very Awful Tax' or 'Variable Addition to Total'.

[modge]

VAT is the value added tax. Basically a government (EU) scam to fleece people of their hard earned money.

Its only Britain that pays VAT thought up by Ted Heath and his crownies! Anyway tell them you dont pay Vat because you live in America.:thmbsp:

[NYListens]

Its only Britain that pays VAT thought up by Ted Heath and his crownies! Anyway tell them you dont pay Vat because you live in America.:thmbsp:

Nope, all of the EU has it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_Value_Added_Tax

Of course the VAT translates into different names in different languages.

[thefragger]

That video ends on such an upbeat note!

"We will rise to meet the demands of the future!"



The cathode slow-mo forming part was really something, too!

[NYListens]

That video ends on such an upbeat note!

"We will rise to meet the demands of the future!"



The cathode slow-mo forming part was really something, too!

I just wonder how they sound.

[Kegger]

I agree that is pretty expensive to me as well.

But it is them just starting back up, I'm sure there trying to help initial cost to recover
some of there initial layout, I would think if there successful the prices will come down
to what everyone else sells there tubes at so they can compete well in the market place.

Let's hope anyway, as I am curious how they perform, if there is a group buy I'll be in it. :)

[jaymanaa]

I agree that is pretty expensive to me as well.

But it is them just starting back up, I'm sure there trying to help initial cost to recover
some of there initial layout, I would think if there successful the prices will come down
to what everyone else sells there tubes at so they can compete well in the market place.

Let's hope anyway, as I am curious how they perform, if there is a group buy I'll be in it. :)


I'd be in on a group buy too.:yes:

[Bigerik]

Don't seem that expensive to me.

Look at NOS Mullards from a reputable seller.

[NYListens]

I'd be in on a group buy too.:yes:

Anyone up to trying to coordinate one? I would think it would make most sense for someone in here that has a business to become a distributor for them over here. They would probably have to put some capital into the venture to buy some inventory. Perhaps we could as a group pre-pay (for a discount) to help fund such a venture.

[jaymanaa]

I just shot them an email inquiring. I'll let you all know what they say.:yes:

[sloober]

Sounds good Jay- I would be in for a pair to try them out. John

[NYListens]

I just shot them an email inquiring. I'll let you all know what they say.:yes:

Great. Let's hope they don't suck.

[Tinkerbelle]

This is all very interesting. I was raised in Blackburn and my dad, uncle and other family worked at Mullards; I still have lots of family in Blackburn. Maybe I'll check it out next time I visit. Meanwhile, the group buy is a good idea and I'd be interested.

Great. Let's hope they don't suck.

They may technically be great but it will be interesting to see if they color the sound differently to what we're used to.

[sloober]

This is all very interesting. I was raised in Blackburn and my dad, uncle and other family worked at Mullards; I still have lots of family in Blackburn. Maybe I'll check it out next time I visit. Meanwhile, the group buy is a good idea and I'd be interested.



They may technically be great but it will be interesting to see if they color the sound differently to what we're used to.

Are there really 10,000 holes in Blackburn?

[Tinkerbelle]

Are there really 10,000 holes in Blackburn?

:lmao:4,000

[sloober]

:lmao:4,000

Haven't listened to that in a while, whoops. Good thing since 10,000 would have been a real problem.
John

[NYListens]

This is all very interesting. I was raised in Blackburn and my dad, uncle and other family worked at Mullards; I still have lots of family in Blackburn. Maybe I'll check it out next time I visit. Meanwhile, the group buy is a good idea and I'd be interested.



They may technically be great but it will be interesting to see if they color the sound differently to what we're used to.

Very neat. I suspect anything made in Blackburn can't suck then. They do look a lot different than traditional tubes.

[Tinkerbelle]

Haven't listened to that in a while, whoops. Good thing since 10,000 would have been a real problem.
John

Either way it's a heck of a lot.

[Tinkerbelle]

Very neat. I suspect anything made in Blackburn can't suck then. They do look a lot different than traditional tubes.

Hopefully they'll move quickly to the power tubes where the current crop market price levels are generally higher. I'd be much more inclined to pay $30-50 for an excellent long life 7591, 7868 or EL34.

$30-50 is a bit expensive for a tube.

BTW, as Modge says, that price level includes VAT, we should get them a little lower cost without the VAT.

[NYListens]

Hopefully they'll move quickly to the power tubes where the current crop market price levels are generally higher. I'd be much more inclined to pay $30-50 for an excellent long life 7591, 7868 or EL34.



BTW, as Modge says, that price level includes VAT, we should get them a little lower cost without the VAT.

Yes a nice 7591 would be great. Although it is the output tubes that give us that magic blue glow and it doesn't look as if their new technology offeres that.

[thefragger]

I'm in for a group buy if it gets down to $10 :D

[jaymanaa]

Here's what I got back;

Thanks for your interest in our TechTubeTM valves.



Samples and larger volumes will be available for purchase when we launch the sales part of the web site now scheduled for the beginning of December as we fix the last few minor niggles. Pricing, ordering, shipping and other such things will be on the WEB site as we are not going through dealers or distribution in the initial start up phase. Pricing will be £30 per valve plus shipping which we are reviewing now with UPS, DHL & FedEx. Discounts for larger volumes will be available once production is up to speed.



For further information, we are starting with the E813CC [12AX7 equiv], E812CC [12AU7 equiv] & E811CC [12AT7 equiv] valves this year and then looking to EL34, EL84, KT88 and KT99 for our Power Series. Which particular type to start with is still under discussion but we expect to launch in the mid part of 2009. An ECC88 [6DJ8 equiv] equivalent has been requested many times so we are looking to check it’s feasibility with our new triode design.



Once again, thanks for your interest and hope to see you in the shop at some point…


The power tubes interest me more than the others.

[Russellc]

I'd be in on a group buy too.:yes:

I'm in for the group buy as well. Jay, I sent you a PM?

Russellc

[Tinkerbelle]

Here's what I got back;

...An ECC88 [6DJ8 equiv] equivalent has been requested many times so we are looking to check it’s feasibility with our new triode design…



It seems like they are open for input on what to develop next. Maybe we could do an AK poll on what tubes we are really looking for and help their decision along.



The power tubes interest me more than the others.

Second that

[Isotonic]

Dear Blackburn, Please make a great 7591! Love Isotonic

[sloober]

Yes...7591. Cheers!