QuestionHi again Parke
Thank you for taking some time to look into some of the finer points of my question about mullard re-issues. I'm not sure how this system at Allexperts works and since in your origianl answer you asked something about "follow-up" I'm not sure whether I am supposed to respond back with the follow-up function, but it seems to make sense, Hmmm, actually now that I think about it, yep, it's the only way you could reach me back at this site. Nevertheless, I'll just give you my Email address,--- yesouisi@gmail.com --- Maybe that's more convenient. So either way, just follow up whichever way. Thanks tons
----Jim
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Followup To
Question -
Hi,
I'm curious about the Mullard re-issue tubes from New Sensor Corp. You can get a matched pair of EL34's for about 40 dollars. The original NOS Mullards, though, go for up to 400 dollars for a matched pair. how good are the re-issues compared to the NOS?
thanks
-Jim
Answer -
Hi Jim,
Great question!
It will take me some time and research to get you an exact answer - from the manufacturer if possible. May I follow up to this question in a few days - say Friday?
AnswerHi Jim,
I just typed you an elaborate answer and submitted it, but I do not see it appearing on my record of anwered queries. I will re-submit my answer for you tomorrow when I get to my other PC (promises, promises).
I have not yet heard back from New Sensor Corp but have given up trying, I am very familiar with Tube design and will give you my perspective and expertise on F.E. Tubes instead...
Follow-up to previous answer:
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Hello again Jim,
First let me sincerely apologize for taking so long to finally answer your question. If you look at my history I answer most questions within a day. Getting back you yours has been a comedy of errors and I hope you understand.
Anyway, on with the show:
I had hoped to contact someone technical withing New Sensor Corp but I think that might be a bit idealistic. Anyway, I am certainly familiar with tube design and can give you my perspective in general and what I know of their EL34's in particular.
1) WHY ARE N.O.S. MULLARDS SO DAMN EXPENSIVE?
Good question. I ponder this about many bits of gear.
I would say that at it's root most of the inflated cost of "NOS" tubes is due to zealots with money. I find that most of the zealots fall into one of two categories of my own invention: "curators" and "swammis".
"Curators" are a group I get along better with by far - they are the ones who want to use all period appropiate components to restore vintage audio equipement to museum quality. It's a fetish, and they get thrill similar to vintage car an model train buffs. I'm not one of them, but I'm sympathetic.
"Swamis" tend to be people who simply beleive that older is better, or feel compelled by some lore to chase rare componetry. These are the type of people who swear that their 1968 25-watt Dynaco kit will outperform any Studio Reference Amp so long as they use all 1960's era gainstage and put a 3-lb ceramic brick on top. (I'm not kidding, there are people out there who really do this. I sincerely hope that you are not one of them.)
2) HOW GOOD ARE THESE RE-ISSUES COMPARE TO THE ORIGINALS?
Well, it depends. Some companies do a better job than others. In fact, sometimes it even varies from model to model (i.e. "Korean manufacturer 'A' makes a great 'tube x' but their 'tube y' won't even fit in the socket").
In this case, New Sonsor got it right. By all accounts their EL34's are pretty good, especially for MI (guitar amps, etc.).
In fact, unless you know what you're doing, buying new $40 matched EL's from NSC might even guarantee that you get a better product than buying "NOS". Here's why:
3) WHAT's DIFFERENT?
The original was manufactured prior to automation or digital/computerized machinery. Compared by today's standard there was an enormous amount of product from each run that did not pass QC. In Mullard's case many of these samples were set aside in storage in Mullard's factories, and remained there when the factories were purchased or run after Mullard's legacy. In some cases, unscrupulous vendors have "dipped" into these reserves and pulled out sets that are certainly matched (to each other) in performance (i.e. "they work"), but possibly not to your standards.
Early Mullards used tungsten and platinum-plated elements. More contemporary tubes, including the NSC's EL34's, use nickel. This has no chartable difference in performance, but the change to nickel vastly increases durability and life-span. Moral: watch out for "too vintage".
On the other end of the timeline, as Mullard/Phillips followed (led, depending on your perspective) the industry shift to transistors in the L-70's/E-80's it officially stopped making the famed tubes. I say "officially" because the factories remained open and operated by others who continued manufacturing EL34's with the classic "sheild" logo but without the "Mullard" name and with arguably more relaxed standards.
All of the above point to the upper hand the "Curators" have over the "Swammis": Curators know and check serial numbers.
4)SHOULD YOU BUY SOME N.O.S. EL34's OR GO NEW?
Ultimately, only you can be the judge of that. If maintaining vintage integrety or some level of esoteric audio status is truly a priority... I don't think you'll fully satisfied with anything but original, even if the New Sensor EL is a good product.
If you just want to Hot-rod your amp stack (especially Marshall's) then I say go for the New Sensor Corp's product. By all accounts it's a nice tube.
If you would like to know more I would be happy to recomend some good resources.
In the meantime I wish you luck, and thenk you for your patience. Enjoy!
