Guest " " Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Never heard of this brand til today. Are these any good? 12AX7's run about $125 a pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilin Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Too much, not worth it, find some amperex d getter long plates from the 50's, preferrably bugle boys, and fughetaboutit.....be happy, and enjoy[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 I have a Brimar 6X5 rectifier in my Wright Pre that I favor over my Jan Sylvania and Mullard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 IMO the British made Brimar tubes are overshadowed by the likes of Mullard and Telefunken, but still noteworthy nonetheless! I've never owned any Brimars but I hear they're just as coveted sonically as the more popular brands, being smooth, well balanced, with low noise. Are they worth the higher price tag I cannot say...that's up to you and your bank account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 My opinion is that tubes that have some market volume and maintain high prices (Brimar would be included in this) are generally of good quality. As always, performance in any particular circuit or system is a different story, and specific recommendations based on completely different circumstances are pretty useless other than to convey a general opinion regarding quality. Personal preference comes into play as well, of course. Brimar tubes seem to be much less common, so supply is likely contributing significantly to the price. Tele, Amperex and Mullard were common stock in the US so they're still more available than some others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted February 17, 2007 Share Posted February 17, 2007 Hey Ben, your RB-75s rock! Just thought I'd remind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilin Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Brimar makes fine tubes, the question asked regarded 12ax7, I have tried more than 35 different pairs, in amps, pre-amps, and sources, and found my reco, best in all....JMHO[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorcoll Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I use the Brimar (rectifier tube) in my Golden Tube Audio SE-300B and it is the best rectifier tube I have ever heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I have some 1950's vintage Brimar 5U4G--they look to be rebadged GEC U52 to me, but maybe just made under license? NICE tubes! I also have some Brimar 12AX7 and 12AU7 kicking around--they're pretty sweet as well. I have some Brimar 12BH7 as well, but they're not so hot when compared with RCA blackplates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Never heard of this brand til today. Are these any good? 12AX7's run about $125 a pair. That seems like a bit much for Brimar 12ax7. I think if you look around you should be able to find them for about $30 to $50 each. Where are you finding them for $125/pair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 " Where are you finding them for $125/pair?" There is an importer on audiogon. Prices are for new...not used NOS test like new stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 " Where are you finding them for $125/pair?" There is an importer on audiogon. Prices are for new...not used NOS test like new stuff. Right, and I think that's a bit high. But, then if you trust the seller, who cares about a few extra bucks. 12ax7 usually last quite a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 "Right, and I think that's a bit high. But, then if you trust the seller, who cares about a few extra bucks. 12ax7 usually last quite a long time." Price seem high to me as well. Especially since there is apparently no used Brimar tube market. Trust a tube seller....not from what I have seen. They are all mostly in denial and really believe their used tubes are NOS just becuase they test like new. Think about it. during the 60's and 70's the repair guy would show up and after blowing the dust out of your set, would start swaping tubes til the problem that called him to your house went away. The old tubes went into the box of the new tubes. 30 years later, a stock pile of these turn up and they are sold as NOS tubes. I recieved a tube yesterday that was NOS, what showed up was a rusty tube with almost no getter left. Seller says it test like new so it is NOS. I acutally started this quest trying to find mullard 12ax7's. The Mullard 12AT7's in various forms seem to be easy to find new. The the Mullard 12AX7 seems to be a tough find. I need 8 12AX7's and 6 12AT7's. So now we have the the Brimar tube. Is it any good? Who knows. Only good thing is that you can buy them new. But seems no one seems to be using them, and they are not drawing much attention on ebay in terms of resale value, seems like I should pass and move on to something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Travis In Austin Posted February 18, 2007 Moderators Share Posted February 18, 2007 I have some 1950's vintage Brimar 5U4G--they look to be rebadged GEC U52 to me, but maybe just made under license? NICE tubes! I also have some Brimar 12AX7 and 12AU7 kicking around--they're pretty sweet as well. I have some Brimar 12BH7 as well, but they're not so hot when compared with RCA blackplates. Allan, Did you recently pick up a pair of ECF 802 (pink lettering) from ebay? I bought a pair, and if you did also I was hoping to get your thoughts. Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I have some 1950's vintage Brimar 5U4G--they look to be rebadged GEC U52 to me, but maybe just made under license? NICE tubes! I also have some Brimar 12AX7 and 12AU7 kicking around--they're pretty sweet as well. I have some Brimar 12BH7 as well, but they're not so hot when compared with RCA blackplates. Allan, Did you recently pick up a pair of ECF 802 (pink lettering) from ebay? I bought a pair, and if you did also I was hoping to get your thoughts. Travis ECF802?? Is that a 6U8 variant?? If so, I'm all ears on those...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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