New Tech Tube Valves

[seti]

It looks like the Blackburn Mullard site and perhaps even old equipment has been purchased by Blackburn MicroTech Solutions. They are making some rather big claims.

Welcome to the start of a new technology in thermionic valves

Here
at Blackburn MicroTech Solutions we are using our 40 years of emission
technology knowhow to bring the first complete new development of the
thermionic valve since its initial production back in the 1930’s.

In September 2008 Blackburn Microtech Solutions launches the TechTube brand of valves.

The Blackburn Legacy Series brings you plug and play replacements for the ECC81, ECC82 and ECC83.

Made on the original Mullard Radio Valve Company site in Blackburn, UK the E813CC, E812CC and E811CC valves deliver extended life times and an unrivalled consistency.

Their first public showing will be at the London Sound and Vision Show 19th – 21st September, Park Inn Hotel, Heathrow.

Blackburn MicroTech Solutions (BMS) has been formed from the former
Philips Components organisation that itself started life as the Mullard
Radio Valve Company Limited in 1938.

BMS is located on the original Mullard Valve site at Blackburn,
England. Since the death of the valve for popular use following the
invention of the transistor the former Mullard site has continued to
develop and manufacture key components for the cathode ray tube
industry. One such key component being the thermionic cathode.

With the background knowledge of valve manufacturing and cathode
development, the Blackburn factory is once again able to be at the
leading edge of valve development. 2008 sees the launch of the first
real valve development since its initial launch back in the 1920's.

E813CC (ECC83 equivalent)

The E813CC has the same
performance as the world renowned ECC83. Unlike the ECC83 however the
variability in performance between two valves is reduced from an
industry standard ±20% down to ±10%. Obvious benefits in application
set-up are obtained by this new performance.

• 10 year life
• Planar valve design
• CRT cathode proven technology
• Supersedes ECC83
• 6.3V driving voltage
• B9A pin base

E812CC (Supersedes ECC82)

The E812CC has the same
performance as the world renowned ECC82. Unlike the ECC82 however the
variability in performance between two valves is reduced from an
industry standard ±20% down to ±10%. Obvious benefits in application
set-up are obtained by this new performance.

• 10 year life
• Planar valve design
• CRT cathode proven technology
• Supersedes ECC82
• 6.3V driving voltage
• B9A pin base

E811CC (Supersedes ECC81)

The E811CC has the same
performance as the world renowned ECC81. Unlike the ECC81 however the
variability in performance between two valves is reduced from an
industry standard ±20% down to ±10%. Obvious benefits in application
set-up are obtained by this new performance.

• 10 year life
• Planar valve design
• CRT cathode proven technology
• Supersedes ECC81
• 6.3V driving voltage
• B9A pin base

They have datasheet downloads. With more info. The tubes look really different from the originals. Amazing. Hope they sound as good as they look and spec.

[thebes]

I'm an easy going guy. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief.

So far their entire marketing plan is based on taking over an abandoned Mullard tube factory .

Oh, and they beat industry specs. Which tube industry? China, Russia?

So they beat specs by 10%. Does this mean they are a rebrander? they simply take other peoples stuff and "hand select" them to reduce the amount of clunkers?

I would sure like new production small tubes that don't sound lifeless, are quiet and not microphonic. If they are actually producing something.I'd be happy to give them a whirl. Til then I'm kinda not opened minded.

[David Pritchard]

I talked directly to the company in England yesterday. They are not using the old factory equipment- that was sold off years ago. They have been making precision cathode tubes for the non audiophile market. They are using new technology to make new tubes. They are not making reissues of old tube designs. The tubes will be premired on Sept. 18 at an audio show in London. The tubes go on sale via their internet site in October. Their web site has a wonderful old video on how tubes were made. Today on Audiogon a pair of 5751 tubes GE Silver tipped were $175.00. Lets hope for a new good sounding tube.

[seti]

I'm an easy going guy. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief.

So far their entire marketing plan is based on taking over an abandoned Mullard tube factory .

Oh, and they beat industry specs. Which tube industry? China, Russia?

So they beat specs by 10%. Does this mean they are a rebrander? they simply take other peoples stuff and "hand select" them to reduce the amount of clunkers?

I would sure like new production small tubes that don't sound lifeless, are quiet and not microphonic. If they are actually producing something.I'd be happy to give them a whirl. Til then I'm kinda not opened minded.

Download those spec sheets and look at the construction of the tubes. This is not rebranded anything. They look amazing. Show me a tube that looks like New Tech and I'll eat my hat.

I pray they sound good. Personally I'm tired of all the 12A** inflated prices.

[Dflip]

It looks like a single mica tube from what I can see. I still love those old triple mica blackplates for the smooth sound. Hopefully they are an improvement on what is currently out there.

[Blvdre]

That material doesn't look like mica to me (as much as we can see), it looks quite a bit thicker and metallic, not crystalline.

[HarryO]

I personally would love to see a manufacturer produce a good sounding tube.

The "NEW" technology, materials, and manufacturing processes hopefully will produce some tubes worth listening to. I'm afraid though that the new tubes will sound flat and sterile. Just because a computer program and new manufacturing technics are used does NOT assure a quality tube for audio use.

There are so many variations out there of the new issue tubes and I've yet to hear ANY of them I'd spend ANY of my money on.

I guess to make sure you don't miss the sound of a good vintage tube is never listen to them. I think that's why so many people will use the re-issues. They've never given a good listen to a good vintage tube.

Money vs need is definitely the reason most of these re-issues exist.

I don't use Ebay or Agon to purchase good tubes. I can't afford it or won't. I hit garage sales, auctions, and "wheel and deal" for my good tubes. I go as far as to purchase extremely large lots of tubes just to build up my "stash" of quality tubes. It's a P.I.A. to sort through hundreds or thousands of tubes but worth it.

Best of luck to Blackburn in coming out with a quality "valve". Wouldn't it be nice to see a quality sounding tube hit the market? That would knock the crapola out of the inflated prices demanded for tubes.

Harry

[seti]

I prefer vintage 95% of the time as far as new tubes go 12A family are the worse. The JJ300B & VA350B are very good IMO. I am pessimistic but these look really different. Hopefully they will suprise us instead of sounding like shite.

[fini]

Those tiny, old-fashioned milk cans are cute! I like the rainbow pins, too.

[fini]

I just watched the 30-minute "vintage film reel" on their site. Very cool!

[mike stehr]

How would you like to be a millright/machinist at that plant? Good lord.........

It is impressive how fast those ladies could slam those tubes together.

[fini]

Mike,

I dig the sound in that film. You hear fairly gently rhythmic ka-chunking of vintage machinery, with voices in the distant background. I'd imagine it was significantly louder in real life...I'd have to say, though, "I love to see pictures of people working..."*

*Guess the reference...

[seti]

Just found this clip from a trade show.

http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/article/mps/uan/2294

echTube


A newcomer to the valve game but no stranger to glass electronics
TechTube is a brand name from Blackburn Microtech Solutions that was
formally the Mullard CRT factory. It has used its expertise to produce
a new cathode-based valve that is a direct replacement for the popular
ECC83 found in guitar amps, preamps and CD players. It is said to have
significantly longer life than the triode it replaces and be more power
efficient, price will be between £20 and £30.

£20 and £30 is $35 to $55 per tube. I read that they are also developing a line of power tubes. Price seems abit steep but I'll try a pair and let you know how they are.

[seti]

Just received this email from TechTube Valves.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your interest in our new TechTubeTM valve technology.

As you may have read on
the web site we launched the TechTubeTM brand back in September 2008
with a view to launching web sales of the product in October.
Following very detailed, open and honest feedback from discerning end
users at the launch the start of sales was postponed to allow our
engineers time to rectify the few technical issues raised, namely valve
to valve and within valve consistency, and microphony.

This rectification is
taking longer than anticipated. As a consequence it is with regret
that I have to inform you of the delay to the launch of the sales web
site. The difficult decision has been taken to delay the opening of
sales until the beginning of April 2009.

It should be remembered
that our goal is to be selling a product that is better than the
current manufactured product. Blackburn MicroTech Solutions, the
Company behind the TechTubeTM brand, is what remains of the former
Mullard Radio Valve works based in Blackburn so we have a strong
heritage to uphold, so strong we named our first series after it!

We hope you understand our situation and ask for your patience.

With kind regards,

The TechTubeTM team.

PS> Below are some notes that I would like to reiterate:

The valve will cost £26.09 + VAT @ 15% + shipping if EU based


The valve will cost £26.09 + Duty + shipping if non-EU based


Shipping and Customs clearance will be via UPS courier


Ordering is by credit card off the web site