TechTube from a CRT company

[Dusty Chalk]

website

The short write-up in December's issue of Hi-Fi Choice says, "...by using CRT technology, these valves can be run at a lower power and offer significantly improved lifespans."

That'd be the part that got my attention.

[Smeggy]

Thermionic Valve sounds so much sexier than 'tube'

[Grahame]

Thermionic Valve sounds so much sexier than 'tube'

Even in a posh British accent?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV7cimRWah0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgycwCeUwp8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9NcHDETmJw

[Smeggy]

Especially in a posh British accent, like the one I have

[Dusty Chalk]

The Shop is online. Haven't bitten yet, myself, but will. A bit expensive, but looking forward to the longerevity.

[Smeggy]

Mmm, that'll fit some of my stuff. Might bite

[Smeggy]

Looks like it'll be about $70 per tube, still might grab one for the CTH. Looks like they'd work in the EHHA as well

Edited July 14, 2009 by Smeggy

[dsavitsk]

from the datasheet:

The TechTube

[Smeggy]

marketing BS aside, all tubes ring and a tube damper is probably a good thing but it still look interesting.

[dsavitsk]

all tubes ring

Not true. Here's my DAC. You can thump on those tubes all day long with nary a peep.

[Hopstretch]

Not true. Here's my DAC. You can thump on those tubes all day long with nary a peep.

Send it to me and I'll be happy to verify that.

[Smeggy]

Not true. Here's my DAC. You can thump on those tubes all day long with nary a peep.

I refuse to believe that until you make me one exactly the same to test

[Dusty Chalk]

At least they're honest and forthcoming about it. I have to admit to still being interested in them. Especially if they have more air than other tubes.

I wonder why tubes are microphonic? I mean, I understand vibrations and electronic interference (if that's what it is), so actually the question would be, why aren't some tubes microphonic?

[Smeggy]

Hah, what a dumbass!

I just flicked the tubes on my EHHA and nary a peep out of them

[luvdunhill]

meh.

I'd rather have this:

[Rob N]

They sound clean and are low noise

[Smeggy]

What are yours plugged into and where?

[Rob N]

Artemis Labs PH1.

6N1P followed by 2x ECC83 and 2x 5687 as output

[Frihed89]

Looks like it'll be about $70 per tube, still might grab one for the CTH. Looks like they'd work in the EHHA as well

I just got one. I was miffed by the price for a single and UPS delivered it to another address, so I was, not so subconsciously, looking to trash this tube.

I stuck it in my Mad Ear+ HD and let it go for about 4 hours and then listened very briefly to a "simple" (voice + cello + banjo) recording by Ben Sollee before going to bed last night.

It was not microphonic; it was low noise. It sounded pretty clean and the "tone" was... maybe a tad bit on the bright sound. The top end was nice - clean and clear. I need to listen some more. This isn't what i expected (wanted?).

My wife liked it. She has a great set of ears.

I am going to compare it to a Sovtek 12AX7LPs and 5751 and GE and RCA TMBP 5751s, maybe a TF smooth plate, too.

This takes time.

[Dusty Chalk]

Please (with the more impressions). I'm liking what I'm hearing so far.

[Smeggy]

I just got a mail back telling me the 12au7 equivalent (E812CC) will be out in a few months.

Cool

[Frihed89]

I have listened to this and the Sovtek 5751 and the RCA TMBP 5751. I always liked the Sovtek 5751 and loved the RCA. This tube is actually quite OK in relation to these two, but I need to listen some more music to really feel the difference. It does a great job on country-western, but what doesn't?

[Frihed89]

Technically, the Blackburn is a fine tube: balanced, detailed, fast, very transparent. I can't find any real faults as an input tube to my Mad Ear+ HD or driver in my Quicksilver Mini-mites, although these pieces of equipment may not be able to bring out the best in it.

To me, though, the Blackburn is boring because it lacks "character". I am very fond of the early 1950s US-made 5751s and 12Ax7s, esp. RCA, Raytheon and Sylvania. These are not technically not as good as the Blackburn in that they put all put lot of emphasis on the mid-range and seem to have either a great treble and good bass or the other way around. None of them are bright or edgy: they are tilted down a bit towards the upper bass and lower mid-range, at least that is what i hear. They all are slightly different, but they all make listening to music more enjoyable to me than with the Blackburn. That's the character part.

This is very personal: My definition of "character" can well be another person's definition of a flaw.

By the way, mine were not microphonic.

[Dusty Chalk]

Good to hear, thanks for reporting back.