Which Euro NOS tubes flash on startup?

[JohnnyL]

I know Mullards flash on startup.... Do Philips Amperex flash on startup up or, are these tubes Mullards that are labeled Amperex?

Thanks!

JohnnyL

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Originally posted by JohnnyL
I know Mullards flash on startup.... Do Philips Amperex flash on startup up or, are these tubes Mullards that are labeled Amperex?

Thanks!

JohnnyL

Preamp tube flash occurs with some Mullards, but not all. It also occurs in some manufacturing runs of some other types in the Philips family of manufacturers (Mullard, Philips, Miniwatt, Valvo, Amperex), and has also been reported from other, non-Philips valves such as RFT, Siemens, and Brimar. There is no correspondence between filament flash and sonic quality.

With possible re-branding, your best bet to distinguish a Mullard from an Amperex is to look at the manufacturer/type/date codes on the side. Check this Philips Codes

- T

 

[JohnnyL]

Thanks for the information Timbre Wolf. I suspected that tubes other than Mullards would flash on start up since they come from some of the same factories.

Take Care,

JohnnyL

 

[Rich M]

EI's also flash, but aren't NOS yet, I guess.

 

[Reeek]

The Mullard 6201's I have flash but I have never seen any of my Mullard 12AX7's flash.

 

[JohnnyL]

I currently have several tubes of Philips or Mullard origin that flash on startup! Just an observation. Cool to see that white flash.

Peace,

JohnnyL

 

[Blue Strat]

Seems like most of the Euro preamp tubes flash at startup. The ones that don't are few and far between.

 

[JohnnyL]

Thanks Blue Strat.

JohnnyL