(13 votes, average: 3.38 out of 5)
Loading...“…replaced the Tellies with the 5751’s and the screen was removed, I was able to stick my head out of the window and clearly see to the left and right. ” Read
(11 votes, average: 3.82 out of 5)Loading...No reviews found on the web. See our reviews.
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It is a common myth in the audiophile world that tubes manufactured on the same tooling will sound identical regardless of where they were pressed. After experimenting with EI 12ax7s built on Telefunken equipment—which proved to be a far cry from the originals—I decided to put Mullard’s 12ax7 global production to the test.
Despite being overseen by Mullard’s quality control and utilizing shared technology, the sonic profiles of these tubes from the UK, Canada, and India vary significantly. Here is the breakdown of how they stack up.
Navigating “The Land of Tubes” requires a keen eye. To ensure you’re getting the specific tone you’re paying for, look for these physical tell-tales:
| Feature | UK (Blackburn/Mitcham) | Canada | India |
| Date Code | Starts with “B” (Blackburn) or “R” (Mitcham/CV4004). | Marked with a small “r”. | Often lacks the specific “B” or “R” prefix. |
| Top Seams | Only 2 seams on the glass top. | 3 or 4 seams, but often faint. | 4 very visible seams. |
| Mica | Missing a “tooth” between the plates. | Has a visible “tooth.” | Has a visible “tooth.” |
| Plate Holes | Holes in the front parts only. | Holes in the front parts only. | Holes in the back parts of the plates. |
| Grid Posts | Often use copper (in earlier/premium runs). | Generally metal; rarely copper. | Generally metal; rarely copper. |
Pro Tip: When hunting for Mitcham-made tubes (marked with a capital R), grab them immediately. These are often the ruggedized military-grade CV4004 variants.
While the UK-made Mullards remain the undisputed champions of depth and “cream,” the Canadian variants are a high-quality alternative for those seeking a bit more sparkle. The Indian production, while functional, is the weakest link, offering a thinner and overly bright profile that misses the mark on classic Mullard detail.
Recommendation: Don’t rely on the label alone. Use a combination of the date code, plate holes, and top seams to verify the tube’s origin before you buy.
(16 votes, average: 4.19 out of 5)Loading...
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For those familiar with high-fidelity vacuum tubes, the Sylvania 5751 JHS and Gold Brand (GB) triple-mica variants are often regarded as the industry standard for audio performance. While collectors frequently prioritize the JHS black-plate or GB gray-plate versions for their aesthetic appeal—notably the gold pins and lettering—audiophiles seeking superior sound quality can achieve the same results at a significantly lower price point. By looking beyond the premium branding, it is possible to acquire these tubes for approximately $20 to $25, compared to the $100 market rate for “Gold” labeled versions.
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(12 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5)Loading...
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(20 votes, average: 3.65 out of 5)Loading...
“They are beautiful sounding tubes, extremely well balanced from top to bottom, very warm and detailed with a lot of air.”
” It is a great sounding tube, with wonderful air and detail. ”
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)Loading...
This tube has been specifically designed for Audio applications and has very low noise and microphonics.
“i put in this rca 7025, gave it a couple minutes to warm up, put in some brushfire fairytales and i was like, “damn.” i was pretty much floored at the improvement. ” Read
“Sweet, liquid, musical and responsive. Very dynamic and real sounding.”
