The Return Of Blackburn Mullards?

[Trout]

If this is actually true,

We may be entering another new era of quality Valves

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


The New ECC83 Data and Picture

It looks freaky!!

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.

[nhuwar]

That things kinda weird and cool looking at the same time.


Nick

[astouffer]

Wonder what it looks like when lit up? Can't wait to see a planar 300b

[athos56]

My two questions, how do they sound, and how much do they cost

[Trout]

Originally posted by athos56
My two questions, how do they sound, and how much do they cost

I am fairly sure we will see reports popping up soon if they display actual functioning versions at the show.

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

That things kinda weird and cool looking at the same time.

My thoughts exactly.

I am surprised at the lack of mica supports, Maybe those beefy contacts will not rattle? Less glass contact = less microphonic problems?
Eh who knows, But if it works 10 years as stated, and it sounds good, it will be worth buying even at $75.00.

[tubelab.com]

Question, what do you do with a CRT production line now that the computer and TV display world has gone flat (literally)? Answer, you find a creative outlet for your "electron guns".

Wonder what it looks like when lit up? Can't wait to see a planar 300b

Look inside an old computer monitor or TV. I don't think that it is possible to build a CRT gun that could handle 60+ mA. The average cathode current in a 25 inch color TV is about 1/2 mA per cathode. There are 3 cathodes in a color TV. "Plate" (shadow mask) voltage is typically 25 to 27 KV!

The "guns" shown here look tiny by TV standards.

If these are realistically priced, I will be "testing" one.

[Jim McShane]

Originally posted by Trout
If this is actually true,

We may be entering another new era of quality Valves

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


The New ECC83 Data and Picture

It looks freaky!!

The new tubes use much different construction and materials than the old Mullard stuff. Look at the difference in interelectrode capacitance for just one example.

It looks to me like the only thing they have in common with the old days is the location of the plant.

The tubes will likely have to stand or fall on their own merit. The odds of them sounding just like the Mullards of the past are long indeed. And since volume is the key to low pricing, I doubt you'll see these at the kind of prices where you find other current production stuff.

[Depanatoru]

Originally posted by Trout


I am surprised at the lack of mica supports, Maybe those beefy contacts will not rattle? Less glass contact = less microphonic problems?

The CRT technology does't use wire-wound grids but solid pieces of metal , so probably the microphony isn't an issue .

[Geek]

Is that the cathode lead tied to the top? Hmmm, I'd worry about it becoming a nasty little a-k feedback coupled VHF oscillator if too much anode lead inductance get in the works.

Funky lookin' thing though. Cool!

Cheers!

[athos56]

They have a sales email, maybe they'll release some samples to the DIY community, it would be the fastest way to secure some early market research and generate sales if they turn out to sound good. I'm going to give them a try.

Email sent, we'll see what they say...