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Brimar CV4003 / 12AU7 Platinum Grade / No Cryo Reviews

4.9 Rating 156 Reviews
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Phone:

909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

Location:

2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

I bought this tube to use in my Rogue Audio CM III integrated amp. Sounded great until it died.........lasted less than 100 hours. The soundstage opened up nicely and I really enjoyed the new sound. Very disappointing to spend $90 on a product that suffered a premature death. Tubes are like a box of chocolates.....you never know what you're going to get. The one star is for the quick death. For sound I would give it 4 stars.....maybe 5 if I had more time to listen to it.
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Posted 5 years ago
We apologize that the Brimar you paid for is having issues in your Rogue Amp. Tubes and tube circuits can sometimes be unpredictable, which is why we offer a 90-day warranty on all tubes, and unfortunately, you are several months out of the period. We strongly recommend that you put a lot of hours on the tube early (some customers choose to just leave the amp on for the first few days), and if it does fail within 90 days, we happily send out a replacement. Luckily, due to our stringent testing, this happens very rarely, but as you say, tubes can be a bit of a box of chocolates!
Posted 5 years ago
I am so happy I bought the platinum CV 4003, for my preamp the difference is astounding, I have bought matched tubes before from others and never again, the work that goes into matching and grading these is well worth the money, if you want to get the most out of of your rig don’t skimp on your tubes you won’t be sorry, I am changing my front end tubes in my AR 130 SE next even if I have to charge them on the cc!
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Posted 5 years ago
Tom Zielinski
Verified Reviewer
Make no mistake about it, original Primaluna 12au7 vacuum tubes are phenomenal. But Brimar 12au7 takes your valve amplifier to another level period!!! Well worth the money if your after that tenth degree of soundstage openness and transparency.
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Posted 5 years ago
Author didn't leave any comments.
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Posted 5 years ago
Robert Gaines
Unverified Reviewer
This is my first time tube rolling, and WOW, I am a convert. I own a PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated amp, and on the wonderful advice of Josh at Upscale, I placed a couple of these beauties in the gain positions after one of my stock 12AU7s started to go. WOW! I had no idea what a difference the Gain Tubes make. Day by day, the Brimars are completely blowing me away. There's so much air in the music now- the sense of space is tremendously enhanced. I couldn't be happier. I would definitely recommend these Brimars to anyone even looking to see what a tube swap can mean for your whole sound. After hearing these, I agree with Kevin that it's almost as good as having the back of your neck stroked.
1 Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Really smoothed out the top end of my Evo 400 amp / Tannoy Kensington speakers. Highly recommend!
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Posted 5 years ago
Jeffrey Pulver
Unverified Reviewer
In my project tube box ds2 they are give a much fuller, warmer, and inviting sound compared to the stock tubes. I've had an issue with things being a little on the bright side and these have cleared up that issue. Get them while you can!
1 Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Peter Dufour
Verified Reviewer
Amazing little tube. They helped turn the musicality of my Primaluna EVO 300 up to 11.
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Posted 5 years ago