Brimar CV4003 / 12AU7 Platinum Grade / No Cryo Reviews

4.9 Rating 143 Reviews

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“Have been working to match the buffer and output tubes in my EE Minimax preamp to my new, very revealing Harbeth Super HL5 Plus speakers. Tungsram E80CC in the buffer just too much/too bright on top (and makes the preamp noisy), basic Mullard 12AU7 or M8162 are too soft, some nice RCA back plates and clear tops missing the liquidity I want. Just found the magic from Upscale - the Brimar 12AU7 in the buffer and the Mullard M8136 wrinkle glass in the output. All the transparency and air you want on top without being too bright/fatiguing, beautiful mids, crisp, full bass - the perfect balance. Just ordered more of each of these wonderful tubes in case I can't find them again!”

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Posted 6 years ago

“My Cary stuff is beautifully warm and uhh---liquid. Yeah, that's a good one, liquid. Out of boredom, I called Kevin and we decided that I should replace my Mullards with some Brimars just for grins. Wow, what a nice change on the top end. I think those in the know call it "air". All I know is, it's not bright or harsh but it's more alive on top. I've gone back and forth and the difference is always easy to hear. I love them. I might buy more just to have them in case Kevin goes nuts and raises the price.”

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Posted 6 years ago

“A brief continuation of my review below. The Mullard’s beat the Brimar’s in pure midrange beauty and texture, with more bass extension and slightly better tonality, and they have a bit more of a holographic soundstage. But the Brimar’s win in terms of a great top to bottom balance, detail, coherence, and they possess such a pleasant ease about them that is very natural and captivating. I can’t pick a winner as I like them both very much.”

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Posted 6 years ago

“I'm going to update my review a bit. These tubes are great in terms of highs, lows and mids. After swapping back and fourth with Mullards, I would say that in terms of range they are a bit better than the Mullards, although I'd say the Mullards are more then a bit more hollograhic. At least that is my impression in a rogue sphinx. Feel free to integrate this with my earlier review. It was unclear how/if I could edit it.”

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Posted 6 years ago

“I’ve tried the PrimaLuna ‘s, Tung-Sol’s, Gold Lion’s, the mighty Mullard’s, and now the Brimar’s. My two favorites are the Mullard’s and Brimar’s. The Mullard’s are truly glorious, especially in the midrange, but the Brimar’s are slightly better balanced. The Brimar’s have the best combination of detail, balance, and are the least fatiguing of all. The Mullard’s, which are also listenable for long periods without listener fatigue, have the best midrange, but the Brimar’s aren’t far behind. Both have outstanding strengths with no real sonic flaws. I️”

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Posted 6 years ago

“I’ve been swapping between these and some mullard’s. These are awesome tubes in the sphinx. Quiet. Holographic. Nice range. I’m now saving the mullard’s for backups.”

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Posted 6 years ago

“Been through so many 12AU7's, I'll cut right to the chase this, thiis the most natural sounding tube I've ever heard!!! Some tubes add this or take that away, but this tube just makes everything sound sound they way it should!!! Best of the best in my Triode TRX-M845 amps and PrimaLuna Dialogue Pre!!!”

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Posted 6 years ago

“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.”

Helpful Report

Posted 7 years ago