Magic Eye Valves from Russia. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Nanozeugma · 21st Jul 2018, 11:14 pm

Hi.
I'm contemplating the purchase of a Russian replacement for a life expired Mullard EM34 from the Ukraine via eBay.

Is was wondering if others had experience of doing the same - and - if their purchase had import charges applied by HMRC?

TIA.

G8UWM-MildMartin · 22nd Jul 2018, 2:13 am

I had no problem with Customs when I bought a fair quantity 10 years ago, but the political situation has changed and prices increased since.
The threshold is officially £15 including postage, and I can see some for sale for less than that, so no problem!

Stockden · 22nd Jul 2018, 7:34 am

I bought 2 not so long ago (within the last year) and had no problems either with the supplier or with import charges.

Hugh

steve102 · 22nd Jul 2018, 9:26 am

I recently bought two NOS 6E5S from Russia without any issues.

I've used one to replace a dim 6E5 in a Marconiphone 537 radio. I made an adaptor to connect the 6E5S octal base to the original 6 pin valve holder.

Steve

Nanozeugma · 22nd Jul 2018, 10:32 pm

Thanks guys

Techman · 22nd Jul 2018, 10:54 pm

I've bought two lots of power output valves from sellers in the Ukraine and not had a problem with import duties etc. However, I'm not sure if this is to do with what the sender actually declares on whatever paperwork has to be filled in at that end and I've just been lucky - the lots of valves that I've bought were a lot more than £15 a time. I originally asked the first seller I bought from about whether there would be any problems with extra postage/duty costs and he sent me a brief message back in very broken English basically saying not to worry as there'd be no problem - and there wasn't.

Chris55000 · 23rd Jul 2018, 9:46 pm

Hi!

Russian Eyes are reputed to be very durably made and stay bright for a long time!

EM34:-

Pin 1 IC, Pin 2 h, Pin 3 a'/d', Pin 4 g, Pin 5 t, pin 6 a"/d", pin 7 h, Pin 8 k,g'

6E5S:-

Pin 1 NC, Pin 2 h, Pin 3 a/d, Pin 4 NC, Pin 5 g, Pin 6 t, Pin 7 h, Pin 8 k,g'

Transfer the grid/a.g.c. lead from Pin 4 to pin 5, transfer the +h.t. lead from Pin 5 to pin 6, disconnect the end of the 1M (usually) anode resistor from pin 3 that connects to pin 5 and reconnect to pin 6, completely remove the 1M resistor between pin 5 and pin 6, the cathode/heater wiring on pins 2, 7 & 8 is unchanged.

On completion, you should have:-

a) Lead from a.g.c. line (originally pin 4) reconnected to pin 5;

b) One 1M resistor connected between pin 3 and pin 6, with the +h.t. lead originally connected to pin 5 reconnected to pin 6;

c) The cathode and heater wiring on pins 2, 7 & 8 unchanged!

The 6E5S is not quite as sensitive as either shadow of the original EM34, but try adding a 47k-100k resistor in series with the target-anode lead to pin 6 if you don't get enough deflection!

Sometimes Russian eyes slipped thro' their manufacturing with mechanical inaccuracies, but most reputable sellers should exchange it if you get a poor one!

Chris Williams

21st Jul 2018, 11:14 pm	#1
Nanozeugma Heptode Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: London, UK. Bury, Lancashire quite regularly :) Posts: 611	Magic Eye Valves from Russia. Hi. I'm contemplating the purchase of a Russian replacement for a life expired Mullard EM34 from the Ukraine via eBay. Is was wondering if others had experience of doing the same - and - if their purchase had import charges applied by HMRC? TIA. __________________ Thermionic Emission, warms the cockles of your tubes.

22nd Jul 2018, 2:13 am	#2
G8UWM-MildMartin Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 827	Re: Magic Eye Valves from Russia. I had no problem with Customs when I bought a fair quantity 10 years ago, but the political situation has changed and prices increased since. The threshold is officially £15 including postage, and I can see some for sale for less than that, so no problem!

22nd Jul 2018, 7:34 am	#3
Stockden Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 648	Re: Magic Eye Valves from Russia. I bought 2 not so long ago (within the last year) and had no problems either with the supplier or with import charges. Hugh

22nd Jul 2018, 9:26 am	#4
steve102 Pentode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Derby, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 108	Re: Magic Eye Valves from Russia. I recently bought two NOS 6E5S from Russia without any issues. I've used one to replace a dim 6E5 in a Marconiphone 537 radio. I made an adaptor to connect the 6E5S octal base to the original 6 pin valve holder. Steve Last edited by steve102; 22nd Jul 2018 at 9:27 am. Reason: typo

22nd Jul 2018, 10:32 pm	#5
Nanozeugma Heptode Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: London, UK. Bury, Lancashire quite regularly :) Posts: 611	Re: Magic Eye Valves from Russia. Thanks guys __________________ Thermionic Emission, warms the cockles of your tubes.

22nd Jul 2018, 10:54 pm	#6
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Magic Eye Valves from Russia. I've bought two lots of power output valves from sellers in the Ukraine and not had a problem with import duties etc. However, I'm not sure if this is to do with what the sender actually declares on whatever paperwork has to be filled in at that end and I've just been lucky - the lots of valves that I've bought were a lot more than £15 a time. I originally asked the first seller I bought from about whether there would be any problems with extra postage/duty costs and he sent me a brief message back in very broken English basically saying not to worry as there'd be no problem - and there wasn't.

23rd Jul 2018, 9:46 pm	#7
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,868	Re: Magic Eye Valves from Russia. Hi! Russian Eyes are reputed to be very durably made and stay bright for a long time! EM34:- Pin 1 IC, Pin 2 h, Pin 3 a'/d', Pin 4 g, Pin 5 t, pin 6 a"/d", pin 7 h, Pin 8 k,g' 6E5S:- Pin 1 NC, Pin 2 h, Pin 3 a/d, Pin 4 NC, Pin 5 g, Pin 6 t, Pin 7 h, Pin 8 k,g' Transfer the grid/a.g.c. lead from Pin 4 to pin 5, transfer the +h.t. lead from Pin 5 to pin 6, disconnect the end of the 1M (usually) anode resistor from pin 3 that connects to pin 5 and reconnect to pin 6, completely remove the 1M resistor between pin 5 and pin 6, the cathode/heater wiring on pins 2, 7 & 8 is unchanged. On completion, you should have:- a) Lead from a.g.c. line (originally pin 4) reconnected to pin 5; b) One 1M resistor connected between pin 3 and pin 6, with the +h.t. lead originally connected to pin 5 reconnected to pin 6; c) The cathode and heater wiring on pins 2, 7 & 8 unchanged! The 6E5S is not quite as sensitive as either shadow of the original EM34, but try adding a 47k-100k resistor in series with the target-anode lead to pin 6 if you don't get enough deflection! Sometimes Russian eyes slipped thro' their manufacturing with mechanical inaccuracies, but most reputable sellers should exchange it if you get a poor one! Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed! Last edited by Chris55000; 23rd Jul 2018 at 9:54 pm.