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Valves.

ourmaninthenorth

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Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
Bit of a left field request this one...

Have any of the builders/techs/mad scientists got a pair of ( 2 off) ECC85's in their parts drawers from their radio/hifi days, that they'd let go? Oh and an EM87 Magic eye, that's still strong, and won't be winking at me all funny like.

Nothing Russian or Chinese.

Thanks Gents.
 

springhead

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2016
Messages
262
Hi Paul.

Got all excited thinking I had an EM87. Found two minty EM84's, close but won't work without modifying the circuit.

However...... I've found two Mullard ECC85's. One from down the road from you in Blackburn with a '63 datestamp. The other is Holland stamped, '68.

They look clean, although one says "old" on the cardboard box. What is it you want to run them in? They appear to be like an ECC81 but single heater (so you can't just sub them in place of any other ECC8x valve).

If you're interested I could put them through the valve tester and see if they're any good.
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
Hi Paul.

Got all excited thinking I had an EM87. Found two minty EM84's, close but won't work without modifying the circuit.

However...... I've found two Mullard ECC85's. One from down the road from you in Blackburn with a '63 datestamp. The other is Holland stamped, '68.

They look clean, although one says "old" on the cardboard box. What is it you want to run them in? They appear to be like an ECC81 but single heater (so you can't just sub them in place of any other ECC8x valve).

If you're interested I could put them through the valve tester and see if they're any good.
Magic Jules exactly the reply I was hoping for, I'd be made up if you could test them when you get a minute.

They're going in a little Fatman amp that I've had for years, and never really used, that I've now hooked up to a CD player, and through my trusty HD25's it all sounds rather bloody good...the valves though are hair shirts...absolutely bloody bobbins.

BkkCVcK.jpg
 

springhead

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2016
Messages
262
No prob, I'll get them tested and let you know. Give me a day or so.

I thought it was going to be for some weird and wonderful guitar amp!
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
Langrex are a good source for some of the more obscure valves in the UK. They have both types in stock.

https://www.langrex.co.uk/?s=ecc85&post_type=product

https://www.langrex.co.uk/?s=em87&post_type=product
Nice one Paul, funnily enough I must have missed the Brimar EM87 on his stock list when I looked last week, equally as funny is that it was yourself and Jules I had in mind when I posted this, and here you both are trying to sort me out.

Ordering as we speak.

Langrex are a terrific outfit, never had anything but first class results with them.

Thanks a lot Pal.

(y) (y)
 

PaulD

Active member
Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
673
You're welcome (it's terrible when you are predictable!)

Funnily enough I have the big brother of your Fatman amp that does service as my main HiFi amp along with a valve phono preamp that I built myself. They are nice amps and surprisingly well built for a Chinese made amp.

IMG_1099.JPG
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Mar 28, 2009
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I originally bought it years ago to run one of those ipod things (with the fatman docking station) through a pair of speakers for the kitchen. I thought it sounded bloody awful, so back in the box it went. I've recently come across it again, while looking for something bloody else - isn't that always the way?, and with the Ki signature CD, and a 30 plus year old pair of HD 25's, it sounds pretty good for what I'm doing...which is just trying to snatch the occasional hour of peace and quiet to myself on headphones.
 

springhead

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2016
Messages
262
I've popped my two in the tester. The Holland made Mullard is pretty good. Both triodes identical and pretty much on spec.

The Blackburn one, in the box marked 'old' is good on one half but a bit under par on the other.

Any use to you or have you gone with the NOS matched RFT's from Langrex?
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
I've popped my two in the tester. The Holland made Mullard is pretty good. Both triodes identical and pretty much on spec.

The Blackburn one, in the box marked 'old' is good on one half but a bit under par on the other.

Any use to you or have you gone with the NOS matched RFT's from Langrex?
No Jules, it's only the magic eye I've ordered from Langrex....

The Mullards - good old Eindhoven, never had a bad un. Blackburn a bit under par on one side? So am I!!!!

They sound great....lets go to PM on this shall we?
 

renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Put a new valve on me terlit yesterday.

Didn't improve the sounds though.

Maybees I needs me a Mullard.
 

lespaulforum.com

New member
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Jan 29, 2021
Messages
1
Hi Paul. Got all excited thinking I had an EM87. Found two minty EM84's, close but won't work without modifying the circuit. However...... I've found two Mullard ECC85's. One from down the road from you in Blackburn with a '63 datestamp. The other is Holland stamped, '68 installation climatisation Sophia Antipolis. They look clean, although one says "old" on the cardboard box. What is it you want to run them in? They appear to be like an ECC81 but single heater (so you can't just sub them in place of any other ECC8x valve). If you're interested I could put them through the valve tester and see if they're any good.
Well, we can only wish you good luck.

Icône de validation par la communauté
 

TM1

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Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Langrex is a wonderful place! I went there a couple of times in the late `90's and flew home each time with a suitcase full of valves! I still deal with them during these forked up covid days..
 
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