Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn)

Procter2812 · 07-06-2009, 11:56 AM

TechTube Valves - Blackburn MicroTech Solutions

check them out... the executives came in to my local music shop and tried tem out in a blues junior... sounded really good!

made at the old mullard factory in blackburn!!

They supposed to be designed different to ordinary valves and are supposed to last longer and better TONE!!!

Jesstaa · 07-06-2009, 12:13 PM

I really dislike the way of these new tubes. Tubes aren't about high tech, it's about out dated technology that is pure, without the frills, delivers exactly what we expect.

Although I'm a bit of an eliteist when it comes to everything music.

The price tag is ridiculous though, I could get a great N.O.S tube for 40 quid.

rockinr0ll · 07-06-2009, 12:38 PM

Freakin weird but kinda cool. Maybe this is the future. Eh?

MartyStrat54 · 07-06-2009, 05:27 PM

We had this listed on another thread over a month ago. The problem was that two of us personally emailed the company for more information. Neither one of us received a reply. The rumor is they don't really have the needed capital to do a full production run. They are out there with several thousand tubes from a preliminary run trying to use those to get people interested.

I say if you are a business and you have an email address, you need to reply to questions. Otherwise it makes you look bad.

Yes, the tubes are better than anything made right now, but you can get NOS tubes for less and they are just as good, if not better.

The rated gain of a 12AX7 is 100. These tubes are being advertised with a gain of 85 to 90. This is still good, but NOS tubes will test higher. The main thing is these new tubes can handle higher plate voltages (like an NOS tube).

Marty

American Viking · 07-06-2009, 11:57 PM

The website says they are manufacturing in England. I didn't think Western Europe could make tubes any more due to the effects on the environment during production. I thought this was the same for the U.S. Am I wrong or misinformed or what? I too e-mailed the company asking for more info so I guess I should ask my question here since no one else got a response.

MartyStrat54 · 07-07-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American Viking

The website says they are manufacturing in England. I didn't think Western Europe could make tubes any more due to the effects on the environment during production. I thought this was the same for the U.S. Am I wrong or misinformed or what? I too e-mailed the company asking for more info so I guess I should ask my question here since no one else got a response.

Hey Viking. Always good to hear from you. If you looked them up, you would have discovered that they are actually using part of the old famous Blackburn plant. Apparently the area being used was upgraded to meet environment concerns. What got us all excited was the fact that they were stating that they would soon be making EL-34's "and other power valves." That would be so cool. A real EL34 available again. However, right now, their prices are such that you can go on EBAY and get NOS Mullard's cheaper than what they want for these new Tech Tubes.

Right now, I don't think you can actually buy any tubes from them. They need all they have to entice buyers.

Marty

Leo27 · 07-07-2009, 07:04 PM

I think that their ECC83 equivalent is $69 with shipping to the USA.

solarburnDSL50 · 07-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo27

I think that their ECC83 equivalent is $69 with shipping to the USA.

Yep. For 1 tube.

MartyStrat54 · 07-09-2009, 04:45 PM

Right now, I'm holding off on buying any of these. Why? I have a boatload of real NOS tubes and these new Blackburn tubes are having quality control issues. I'm not going to spend over 70 bucks (with shipping) on a tube that may or may not meet the current specifications. They are going to have to get this QC problem handled fast, or it will take them down.

Also, if you read the spec sheet, you can't use one of these new tubes in an amp with other 12AX7's. Due to the heater design, all of the tubes have to be replaced, or else you can burn the heaters out of the new tubes. What's that all about???

Marty

PaoloJM · 07-09-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Also, if you read the spec sheet, you can't use one of these new tubes in an amp with other 12AX7's. Due to the heater design, all of the tubes have to be replaced, or else you can burn the heaters out of the new tubes. What's that all about???

Marty

I saw that on their spec sheet.

They're saying their valves are not compatible with others if parallel, 12.6V, operation is used.

They also seem to be advertising that their valves are microphonic, as if this is a good thing?

What's the deal with them anyway, it seems that they are being made in the Mullard Balckburn plant. Is that their main selling point and the reason for the premium price tag or am I missing something?

solarburnDSL50 · 07-09-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaoloJM

I saw that on their spec sheet.

They're saying their valves are not compatible with others if parallel, 12.6V, operation is used.

They also seem to be advertising that their valves are microphonic, as if this is a good thing?

What's the deal with them anyway, it seems that they are being made in the Mullard Balckburn plant. Is that their main selling point and the reason for the premium price tag or am I missing something?

Yeah. The points are stacking up in the wrong direction. I don't get the good side here...as in there isn't any.

MartyStrat54 · 07-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaoloJM

I saw that on their spec sheet.

They're saying their valves are not compatible with others if parallel, 12.6V, operation is used.

They also seem to be advertising that their valves are microphonic, as if this is a good thing?

What's the deal with them anyway, it seems that they are being made in the Mullard Balckburn plant. Is that their main selling point and the reason for the premium price tag or am I missing something?

Hey Paolo. Good to hear from you. These tubes were really hyped for their debut. After all the bells and whistles have died out, what is left is a line of tubes with questionable quality.

Over on our preamp tube thread, Joe (SolarBurn) found some info on the Gear Page. Seems a guy bought two of these tubes and they tested at over 150 per cent. However, this is not a good thing, as the tubes distorted the front end of his Hi Fi amp. They were trash, completely unusable.

The tubes are advertised as having a gain factor of 90. This is good, but having tubes so stout they are creating distortion is pathetic.

As I said on the other thread, they will need to rectify these QC problems really fast, or else it will kill them before they get out of the gate.

What concerns me is that I figured these tubes would have exceptional QC in line with the traditions set by Blackburn and the original Mullard tubes. The price they are charging justifies a top of the line product, many levels above the Russian and Chinese tubes. However, now it is looking more and more like they are charging the price based on the Blackburn name, but the tube really isn't that much better than the competition.

As my friend Josh said, "It kind of sucks that you have to change all the light bulbs in the house, because the one in the garage went out. This heater compatibility issue is going to cut into their sales. Now a guy with a Hi Fi amp might be inclined to buy four of these for his stereo amp, but to have to change all four tubes in my TSL to use these tubes it makes me wonder if they had planned it that way to increase sales.

Regardless, they are having QC troubles and only time will tell.

Marty

Tubenut · 07-10-2009, 04:49 PM

Thanks to you I bought some they are wicked!

MartyStrat54 · 07-10-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tubenut

Thanks to you I bought some they are wicked!

I'll bet they are. Tell us how you like them six months from now.

Right now, I'll stick with my tried and true NOS tubes. They have never let me down and I don't have to concern myself with compatibility issues regarding the heater circuit in the new Tech Tube.

Marty

Procter2812 · 11-04-2009, 08:37 AM

Found out the reason they gone bust...

They mainly make cathode ray tubes for TV's for the far east.
The far east are starting to catch up with technology and are no longer needing these replacement cathode ray tubes.

Shame really... i heard really good reviews on the tech-tubes

07-06-2009, 11:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Procter2812 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 333	Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) TechTube Valves - Blackburn MicroTech Solutions check them out... the executives came in to my local music shop and tried tem out in a blues junior... sounded really good! made at the old mullard factory in blackburn!! They supposed to be designed different to ordinary valves and are supposed to last longer and better TONE!!!

07-06-2009, 12:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jesstaa Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Gippsland, Vic, Australia. Posts: 797	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) I really dislike the way of these new tubes. Tubes aren't about high tech, it's about out dated technology that is pure, without the frills, delivers exactly what we expect. Although I'm a bit of an eliteist when it comes to everything music. The price tag is ridiculous though, I could get a great N.O.S tube for 40 quid. __________________ GEAR LIST Marshall JCM900 4100 (6L6) (1995) Marshall Valvestate 1965A cab (????) Cort VX-2V (2008) TUBES/SPEAKERS Power: Groove Tube 6L6GCB Phase Inverter: Sovtek 7025 Pre: V1 - N.O.S Mullard ECC83. V2 National 12AX7A Speakers: Celestion G10L-35 Marshall forever My tube amp & Real Music appreciation forum

07-06-2009, 12:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
rockinr0ll Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,340	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) Freakin weird but kinda cool. Maybe this is the future. Eh?

07-06-2009, 05:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) We had this listed on another thread over a month ago. The problem was that two of us personally emailed the company for more information. Neither one of us received a reply. The rumor is they don't really have the needed capital to do a full production run. They are out there with several thousand tubes from a preliminary run trying to use those to get people interested. I say if you are a business and you have an email address, you need to reply to questions. Otherwise it makes you look bad. Yes, the tubes are better than anything made right now, but you can get NOS tubes for less and they are just as good, if not better. The rated gain of a 12AX7 is 100. These tubes are being advertised with a gain of 85 to 90. This is still good, but NOS tubes will test higher. The main thing is these new tubes can handle higher plate voltages (like an NOS tube). Marty __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

07-06-2009, 11:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
American Viking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Posts: 1,510	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) The website says they are manufacturing in England. I didn't think Western Europe could make tubes any more due to the effects on the environment during production. I thought this was the same for the U.S. Am I wrong or misinformed or what? I too e-mailed the company asking for more info so I guess I should ask my question here since no one else got a response. __________________ -I'd rather be a good liver than have one...

07-07-2009, 07:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Leo27 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 33	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) I think that their ECC83 equivalent is $69 with shipping to the USA.

07-09-2009, 04:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) Right now, I'm holding off on buying any of these. Why? I have a boatload of real NOS tubes and these new Blackburn tubes are having quality control issues. I'm not going to spend over 70 bucks (with shipping) on a tube that may or may not meet the current specifications. They are going to have to get this QC problem handled fast, or it will take them down. Also, if you read the spec sheet, you can't use one of these new tubes in an amp with other 12AX7's. Due to the heater design, all of the tubes have to be replaced, or else you can burn the heaters out of the new tubes. What's that all about??? Marty __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

07-10-2009, 04:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tubenut Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) Thanks to you I bought some they are wicked!

11-04-2009, 08:37 AM	#15 (permalink)
Procter2812 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 333	Re: Techtube (New Valve company from old mullard factory blackburn) Found out the reason they gone bust... They mainly make cathode ray tubes for TV's for the far east. The far east are starting to catch up with technology and are no longer needing these replacement cathode ray tubes. Shame really... i heard really good reviews on the tech-tubes __________________ www.sexpistolstribute.co.uk JCM800 2203X JCM2000 TSL100 Marshall 1936 Gibson Les Paul Custom Orville Les Paul Custom Fender Highway One Stratocaster Boss EQ Ibanez Tube Screamer Crybaby Wah Boss TU-2

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