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Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?

45.20.196.13
Posted on July 27, 2024 at 16:57:13
Rzado
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Joined: September 5, 2001



I recently purchased a tube from a tube dealer stated to be a NOS Mullard EZ81. I received the tube in a Brimar box, and in looking at the tube it looks more like some examples of Brimar EZ81s I have seen (I understand that Brimar and Mullard were alternative suppliers of the EZ81 to various NATO militaries). It has no date code visible and a halo getter.

Any tube gurus out there know is there any way to tell if this is a relabeled Mullard or is it really a Brimar?

 

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RE: Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?, posted on July 27, 2024 at 22:17:41
Triode_Kingdom
Audiophile

Posts: 10181
Location: Central Texas
Joined: September 24, 2006
 Have you asked the dealer why it arrived in a Brimar box, and why he believes it was made by Mullard?

 

RE: Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?, posted on July 28, 2024 at 09:53:03
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 9930
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 My two cents worth:

If it was Mullard, I'd expect to see Philips production codes etched in the glass. So, based solely on that my vote is Brimar.

I assume you bought it to use it. I spent almost twenty years with a preamp that used either EZ81/6CA4 or EZ80/6V4. I cycled through every brand of those you can name, and the only one that made any appreciable difference in sound was the RFT EZ81. It subjectively added another octave to the bass. Deep, solid bass, noticeably better than any other rectifier I tried. The RFT's are really easy to spot too. The plates are stacked on top of each other at right angles to one another. And they used to be cheaper than the cachet names by fair amount.

If you're just collecting antiques, don't forget to find a U709. That's the one Genalex made. There's some pretty decent pictures of the various rectifiers of that type at The Valve Museum.

 

RE: Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?, posted on July 28, 2024 at 13:52:58
Rzado
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Joined: September 5, 2001
 Thanks for the follow up and appreciate the info and response.

I definitely bought it to use it. I tried the RFT previously and was not a fan - thought it sounded a bit thin and wasn't a fan of the treble (in an Ypsilon PST-100 MKII).

The Genalex / GEC u709s have unfortunately become unobtanium - I have seen a a few going for over $600 a tube now, if you can even find them. Some guy on usaudiomart was selling a couple for $250 back in April ($150 without box) and they were snapped up really quickly.

 

RE: Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?, posted on July 28, 2024 at 13:54:52
Rzado
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Joined: September 5, 2001
 Thanks for the response. The ad noted that "Some tubes may be rebranded by other companies." I was expecting something like a Philips with Blackburn codes on it. I have emailed the seller for further info.

 

RE: Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?, posted on July 28, 2024 at 13:55:30
Rzado
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Joined: September 5, 2001
 Shoot - meant this as a reply to Triode_Kingdom

 

RE: Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?, posted on July 29, 2024 at 09:18:54
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 9930
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 Also, the tube in the pic sports the American designation 6CA4 in addition to the Euro EZ81. You probably know that Brimar stands for BRItish Made American Radio (BRIMAR). So, the inclusion of the American type number is another possible indicator that it's a Brimar.

 

RE: Brimar v. Mullard EZ81 - how to tell?, posted on July 29, 2024 at 09:30:59
Jim McShane
Dealer

Posts: 5919
Location: Chicago
Joined: January 13, 2003
 I agree with Sondek - that tube looks like a Brimar to me as well. You might want to try it (unless you intend to return it) since Brimar stuff can be darn good. Maybe you would prefer the Brimar to a Mullard?

I was surprised to hear you didn't like the RFT tube. I was fortunate to get hold of a couple hundred of them a few years ago and with about half of then now in customer's hands I have yet to hear anything other than positive comments about them. It seems that your system/your ears perceive things differently, so if I were you I'd try the Brimar. It might suit you very well.

 

Love the RFTs, posted on August 1, 2024 at 12:22:13
Barry
Audiophile

Posts: 1027
Location: PA
Joined: November 24, 1999
Contributor
  Since: January 18, 2009
 Thank you again Sondek for your advice some years ago!

 

RE: Love the RFTs, posted on August 1, 2024 at 15:45:01
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 9930
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 Glad to know I didn't steer you wrong.

Even though I no longer use that tube, I remember what an eye opener that RFT was. I have to admit to some genuine skepticism that rectifiers could have that much influence on sound when I began rolling them.

The RFT let me know how wrong I was about rectifiers influence on the sound. Especially the bass.



 

RE: Love the RFTs, posted on August 8, 2024 at 03:43:04
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Joined: November 27, 2010
 true mullards should wear a typical mullard etched factory code - for example "R" for Whiteleaf factory plant or "B" for Blackburn.

 

Funny, I remember when people stayed away from East German tubes. nt, posted on August 21, 2024 at 17:12:54
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17554
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 .
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

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