Brimar CV4003 / 12AU7 Platinum Grade / No Cryo Reviews

4.9 Rating 152 Reviews

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909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

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2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
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“When I was told how good these are, I decided to get a pair to test it out on my Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated. I had recently also switched from EL34s to KT120s which gave the Primaluna more pop and better bass/weight. I replaced the center two stock 12AU7s (which I believe are the gain tubes) and heard immediate gain on detail. There seemed to be more sparkle on instruments such as piano and strings and the sound was overall brighter and welcoming on some duller recordings especially playing at lower volume. I then purchased four more of these to complete the setup. Once they were in place, the brightness and airiness had proven to be perhaps too much of a good thing. The overall balance of my system was too bright and lighter and overall - something I have been trying hard to avoid. I have taken them out for now and gone back to the stock Primaluna 12AU7s and found them to have overall more realistic balance without the exaggerated brightness across the spectrum.”

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Posted 7 years ago

“I plan on getting a Prima Luna Dialogue but while I save up I wanted to see if I could improve the midrange on my Rogue which I find to be shallow in depth and frankly...a little rough. Rough? Maybe it's a grain. I spent a lot of money trying to improve this amp and this tube did the best job. It helped by making the midrange livable without killing top end response. It helped a lot but no matter what the amp has issues I can't live with. The good news is the Prima Luna uses 12AU7's too so when I get one I will have some tubes to play with! I like the Brimars better than any other tube I've tried.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“This is by far the best 12AU7 I have tried...period! Liquid mid range like Mullard, but deep extended bass and highs as well. Just a rockstar of a tube. Kevin is exactly right in his description. I have compared these with: Siemens E82CC RCA Cleartops Radiotechnique 6189 Ken-Rad 12AU7 CBS-Hytron 5814a This tube rocks them all--I might have to pick up a few more pairs just to stock up for the future. I currently have them in the 12AU7 row of my Raven Audio Osprey and they put the sound of this killer amp over the top. I would love it if someday Kevin picked up some Brimar 12AX7 or 12AT7 yellow T's as I'd love to give those a try. But, definitely get these if you can!”

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Posted 8 years ago

“I rolled a set of platinum level Brimar 12AU7s into my Primaluna Prologue Premium to replace the stock tubes. The immediate impression is how quite these tubes are. After only 50hrs of burn-in they sound wonderful. I can hardly wait to here them fully burned-in. Bass now has authority and control. The highs have just the right sparkle without a hint of harshness. The mid-range is rich and warm. With time it can only get better! The best $300 I have spent upgrading yet!”

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Posted 8 years ago

“I collect tubes and have examples of most every 12AU7 made over history. Mazda, Siemens, Telefunken, Amperex, Mullard, Radiotechnique, you name it. The two favorites for my ears are Mullard and Brimar, but Brimar has a edge as I get the incredible midrange I crave but no loss of air. They are also VERY quiet and never fail to please. I only wish Uncle Kevvy had some Brimar 12AX7 for me to scoop up too (How 'bout it Kevin? Do me a favor!). Also I should note that other tubes dealers selling Mullard, Tele, Siemens, etc are selling "used - tested" tubes. Upscale is the only place left with actual stock of true new-old-stock tubes. Even if I paid twice the price that makes it worth it to me as "used-tested" tubes were pulled out of a piece of gear at some point for being "worn". I have had some tubes from "other suspects" that have failed pretty quick and tested weak. If you are new to tubes some of these other guys with fancy websites are pretty shady. Sometimes.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 8 years ago

“I have loved Brimar tubes forever. I'm from the UK and was used to having access to them so easily, but here in the States they don't come up. So when I saw Upscale had them I was thrilled. They are superb in my VAC. They have the midrange glory of a Mullard but still remain super open. Now this comes down to taste as I love Mullards too. It's system dependent. Mullards are just a teeny bit softer on top. I'm an engineer by trade, and set up a rather sophisticated noise analyzer. I've bought supposed "low noise" tubes elsewhere and they are always just tubes. Not low noise tubes. In my system I must have REAL low noise tubes...not B.S. Upscale does impress I must say. Every tube I've bought that is Platinum grade really is Platinum. Good job.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Great, airy tube. I'm running one of these and one Cifte in each channel of my Prologue Premium preamp on Maggie 3.7s. . Try it, you'll love it.”

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Posted 8 years ago

Clarence Boggs

Unverified Reviewer

“Love these tubes, the air, the sense of space, worth the price”

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Posted 8 years ago