THEY'RE HERE!

[drhulsey]

From Proteus Audio Development
http://www.proteusaudiodevelopment.com/techtube.aspx

Blackburn MicroTech Solutions has been formed from the former Philips Components organisation that itself started life as the Mullard Radio Valve Company Limited in 1938. Blackburn Microtech Solutions 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. Using cathode technology developed, refined and perfected in the CRT display industry Blackburn Microtech Solutions is using a planar cathode at the heart of the new valve technology.

Tapping into the popular ECC83, ECC82 and ECC81 range of valves used in Hi Fi and guitar amplifiers amongst many other applications Blackburn Microtech Solutions is launching the brand of valves. The “Blackburn Legacy Series” will launch on 19th September at the Sound and Vision show in London.

The E813CC is a direct replacement for the ECC83 traditional valve but it gives a consistency in performance only dreamt of by the current end user. In addition the life performance from the new valve technology is extended to compare with television displays, life times up into 20,000 hrs under normal usage conditions are to be expected.

Before the end of the year E812CC and E811CC will launch to complete the replacement series. The New Year will then bring the launch of the “Blackburn Power Series” enabling amplifier makers to truly claim “UK valves inside”.
Lifting The Veil

The new TechTube E183CC has arrived and all the targets for gain, noise, consistency and quality have been met and often exceeded.

Having been included in its development from early on I have seen lengths the designers have gone to in order to produce a valve of this quality, the technology used is truly remarkable and extends into the molecular level.

Six E813CC valves have been used in my flagship Diamond all valve integrated amplifier. Fitted in the line and phono stages they replace the Mullard UK made white label valves normally used, these Mullard's represent the benchmark used by many amplifier designers and enthusiasts.

The immediate impression when listening to the E813CC is the affect on openness and speed. Compared with the Mullard ECC83 the E813CC is instantly an improvement, a veil is lifted and details in the music not heard before shine through. The sound stage is wider and the sound effortless, augmenting what has been reviewed as one of the best sounding amplifiers made.

The E813CC is slightly more microphonic compared with the Mullard but this has not shown itself as being any problem whatsoever and compared with other ‘so called' high end valve manufactures is considerably quieter. What is quieter however is the inherent electron noise, this valve is eerily silent even compared with the Mullard, there is no shot noise and only a low level of electron noise is evident. All this helps to promote the dynamics and speed of the sound.

Some of the improvement in speed and quality can be put down to the very low inter electrode capacitance, typically half that of the Mullard, but I don't believe this to be the whole story. The unique construction and planar technology has a positive effect on the way the valve handles the job of amplifying the signal.

From the outset this valve represents a breakthrough in performance and consistency.

A review here:
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=37619

[David Root]

I took the specs of their spec sheet and put the tube into my Tubecad software and compared it with a 12AX7 in a typical vintage Fender first stage setting. I had to assume the same nominal Rp as the 12AX7 as it was not specified.

The only significant differences were the Zin doubled and so did the -3dB hi-end roll-off frequency. This is no doubt related to the Cgp of the E813CC being half that of the 12AX7.

[Andy Le Blanc]

Some of these descriptives sound like they've made a 12ax7 sound more like
a broader bandwidth tube, That may or may not be a good thing. Great for
fidelity but maybe not the best for making distortion?

It be a while yet for them to trickle down to a wider consumer level, might
not even get a chance to see some in consumer products, unless someone
starts to use them, Drz? Mesa?Genz BenZ?

[Bob-I]

Some of these descriptives sound like they've made a 12ax7 sound more like
a broader bandwidth tube, That may or may not be a good thing. Great for
fidelity but maybe not the best for making distortion?

It be a while yet for them to trickle down to a wider consumer level, might
not even get a chance to see some in consumer products, unless someone
starts to use them, Drz? Mesa?Genz BenZ?

I'll find out next week. I have one coming from a friend who didn't like it in his Marshall.

[Structo]

I may just order a couple just to have them.

For prosperity's sake, so to speak.
Even if they don't sound good, they would be a great display piece about a new tube design that didn't make it.

[jjman]

I'd be interested to know how they do in the hiss department, when used in V1 of a high gain amp.

[Wayne]

It sounds like there are enough differences between these things and generic 'AX7s that they won't be the ideal drop-in replacement. Once we know whether or not they're going to be around for a while, maybe one of the gurus here or elsewhere will have a go at designing an amp specifically for them. A tube amp that was hassle free for 10 yrs or whatever the claim is would be cool.

Or maybe they'll just suck!

W

[CaseyJones]

I'm happy to report the new "Mullards" perform exactly like the old Mullards in my own "Mil-Spec" drop tests.

This time of year Casey's Crib looks like a David Lee Roth video what with all the bikini babes mingling with various drunkards and ne'er-do-wells gathered around the pool. Your Humble Narrator attracts hoards of loyal subjects by appearing on the balcony on a regular basis and tossing fistfuls of cash at the adoring crowd.

Anyway, in carefully controlled drop tests the fancy new tubes make a pleasing "pop" when they hit the tarmac just like the cherished originals.

In similar controlled tests scantily clad barefoot bikini babes hop around on one foot and make little whimpering noises whether they're treading on fancy broken Blackburns or expensive broken NOS Mullards.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to direct my carefully calibrated olfactory node towards my comprehensive collection of fine corks...

[M Fowler]

Casey,

A pleasing pop is the only sound test you got with all those people around, such a waste. I hope the flight simulation test was on target old vs new Mullards.

Mark

[butwhatif]

If you can't do it with just a tele and a champ you might as well give up.

There are so many people out there risking investments into the "new and improved".
Unless it really is vastly superior in tone, stability, durability, than the better
7025 and 12ax7's you know and love. I'd rather be frustrated at a $10 tube
than blow a wad on an $80 product you have no clue about.

They might might have done better to buy the E-mail list of forum members
and offer the product for us to review (rigorously test).

It'll make you play 'donna lee' better than Pat Martino w/o missing a note on a Teisco guitar with 1/2" action

[drhulsey]

...when used in V1 of a high gain amp.

One review suggested that V1 was not a good position for this tube, but was better in later gain stages.
Whether or not this tube is successful, it is exciting to see someone attempting the innovation

[martin manning]

... I had to assume the same nominal Rp as the 12AX7 as it was not specified.

Rp is 56K per the data sheet ;^).

MPM

[Structo]

What is a normal 12ax7, 80K?

Is the 56K series or parallel?

Man, I checked a few audiophile sites and they are hammering the tube.

Not so much on the performance because so few have tried it but just the basic design and specs that Blackburn is publishing.

I tried to find a spec sheet for the tube but haven't had any success.
It seems they used to have it on their site but its not there now.

TechTube does say this now though.

The input stage of some guitar amplifiers can swamp the sensitivity of the valve generating microphony so we recommend you not to use this release of TechTube™ valve in this first valve position without using one of the many dampening devices available.

[drhulsey]

... I tried to find a spec sheet for the tube...

It's in my post at the top of this page.

[Phil_S]

What is a normal 12ax7, 80K? <snip for brevity>

12AX7 is 62,500 @ 250V and 80,000 @ 100V. The new TechTube at 56,000 is closer to a 5751 which is 58,000 at both voltages.

All my amateur eyes can make of this is that you don't use it as a tremolo driver because Rp might be too low to trigger oscillation.