Fasthenk65 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Could anyone be so kind to advice me on the differences in sound of EL34 vs KT88 vs KT150 in big lines? They will drive my Heresy IV's (arriving soon). Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 As you probably know this subject is very subjective but if you do some reading you can get an idea of what sellers have to say here. In there search engine you have to hit enter to do a search. https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/vacuum_tubes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 you won't need 150's or even 88's to drive an efficient pair of Heresys... but do what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fasthenk65 Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, Schu said: you won't need 150's or even 88's to drive an efficient pair of Heresys... but do what you want. no sound difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 sure they do... but it's more about power delivery. I find that I moved UP the power line that the mid range became more forward and dominant... It's just different. my personal preference is for more balance across the entire range so I currently use a 34... which is NOT in favor with most tube enthusiasts. I have MANY different power tubes here, but I have settled into using the el34's (and Chinese tubes). you may experience some roll off at the poles with 34's. the other tubes in the system have more influence on sound quality than the power tubes do. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanksjim1 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 which amp will you be using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fasthenk65 Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 1 hour ago, henry4841 said: As you probably know this subject is very subjective but if you do some reading you can get an idea of what sellers have to say here. In there search engine you have to hit enter to do a search. https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/vacuum_tubes Thank you. So many tubes... 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fasthenk65 Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 15 minutes ago, Schu said: sure they do... but it's more about power delivery. I find that I moved UP the power line that the mid range became more forward and dominant... It's just different. my personal preference is for more balance across the entire range so I currently use a 34... which is NOT in favor with most tube enthusiasts. I have MANY different power tubes here, but I have settled into using the el34's (and Chinese tubes). you may experience some roll off at the poles with 34's. the other tubes have more influence on sound quality. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fasthenk65 Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 (edited) 10 minutes ago, hanksjim1 said: which amp will you be using? I have to choose... Considering Primaluna Evo 300 (EL34) Soundmaster (EL34) or Ayon which can be had with KT88 or KT150... And listening to all is really impossible due to shops closed (for listening at least) Thank you Edited February 18, 2021 by Fasthenk65 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 My amplifier will use all the above tubes, but in triode mode instead of pentode, which will have a different sound using the same tubes. I prefer EL-34 tubes in my system as compared to KT-88's or 120's or even 150's. But, and this is a big but, I use vintage tubes that are quite expensive. If you are going to use new production tubes, you aren't going to notice much of a difference because they are all built cheaply, using cheaper materials and such. Some are a little better that others, and some say the quality is improving, but there is still no comparing the two. Of course there are many other factors that will influence the sound, such as how the amplifier is built, the rest of the components in your system, etc. Everybody's system is different, so it's really a matter of your personal taste, and how much money you want to throw at it. I prefer the sound of the EL-34 tube type because of it's more warm, tubey sound in my system. KT-88 type tubes sound to sterile, more like solid state to me. But this is my system, which I have spent years refining to get the sound I want.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fasthenk65 Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 5 minutes ago, kevinmi said: My amplifier will use all the above tubes, but in triode mode instead of pentode, which will have a different sound using the same tubes. I prefer EL-34 tubes in my system as compared to KT-88's or 120's or even 150's. But, and this is a big but, I use vintage tubes that are quite expensive. If you are going to use new production tubes, you aren't going to notice much of a difference because they are all built cheaply, using cheaper materials and such. Some are a little better that others, and some say the quality is improving, but there is still no comparing the two. Of course there are many other factors that will influence the sound, such as how the amplifier is built, the rest of the components in your system, etc. Everybody's system is different, so it's really a matter of your personal taste, and how much money you want to throw at it. I prefer the sound of the EL-34 tube type because of it's more warm, tubey sound in my system. KT-88 type tubes sound to sterile, more like solid state to me. But this is my system, which I have spent years refining to get the sound I want.. Thanks. I was only able to listen to EL34's and thought they were a huge improvement over SS amp... I will be happy with all I guess being a newbie to tubes 🙂 but I can choose so just want the best possible for the new Heresy's. All input is helping + reading lot's on the internet (reviews). My selection is based on these reviews and customers reviews about quality of the equipment. I know it's all personal but also know that if most people go one direction normally that's the right one 😉 thank you all! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fido Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I have a Primaluna evo 400 and i have started playing with Tube Rolling with it. I started out with the stock EL34 tubes and it sounded great. I had those in for over a year and I then tried a couple of Brimar preamp tubes and I liked the difference they made. A few months later my wife bought me 8 new KT150s and to my ears in my system I loved the change to the 150s over the el34s. Much more punchy mid bass and top end very clean. Having changed my Forte 1s to the new Forte IVs the mid base and mid range is just so much more dynamic at every level. I do not think I will ever go back to the EL 34s or get rid of the Brimars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fasthenk65 Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Fido said: I have a Primaluna evo 400 and i have started playing with Tube Rolling with it. I started out with the stock EL34 tubes and it sounded great. I had those in for over a year and I then tried a couple of Brimar preamp tubes and I liked the difference they made. A few months later my wife bought me 8 new KT150s and to my ears in my system I loved the change to the 150s over the el34s. Much more punchy mid bass and top end very clean. Having changed my Forte 1s to the new Forte IVs the mid base and mid range is just so much more dynamic at every level. I do not think I will ever go back to the EL 34s or get rid of the Brimars tnx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry4841 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 El-34 tubes are my favorites as well. Right now I am using 6L6 tubes in two of my amplifiers which use the EL-34 family of tubes. The KT-88 is supposed to have better bass and I am using them in an amplifier specifically made for KT-88's but do not find a lot of difference in sound form the EL-34 or 6L6 tubes. No experience with the 150's but as Shu said more power that is really not needed for most with horns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fido Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 17 minutes ago, henry4841 said: El-34 tubes are my favorites as well. Right now I am using 6L6 tubes in two of my amplifiers which use the EL-34 family of tubes. The KT-88 is supposed to have better bass and I am using them in an amplifier specifically made for KT-88's but do not find a lot of difference in sound form the EL-34 or 6L6 tubes. No experience with the 150's but as Shu said more power that is really not needed for most with horns. the kt 150s are not really just about more power. They just have a different sound - more mid to lower bass while the highs are crystal clear. I liked the EL 34s also but I have Forte IVs that are 99 db efficient and I think they sound better with the KT 150s than with my EL 34s. I think tube differences are more about synergy in every different system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_flht Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Hi, I also like EL34. Also think that there are variants completely compatible with the EL34 amps, the 6CA7 which is the US version of the European EL34 and the KT77. EL34 6CA7 (here a very good model) KT77 🤩 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Give WE350b's a try... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pallpoul Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 for Heresy's iv, I would strongly recommend an SET amplifier, with few wpc, it will really make them shine. I use a Dennis Had SET amp, with 6LS Tungsol's, new production, big tubes, excellent sound. I also use the matching pre amp by Dennis Had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 I like EL 34... currently I'm using KT 77 , which in my amp put out 40 watts. More than enough to drive the Heresy III that I was using. Plenty of power for new Forte IV. Like a EL 34 on steroids, great bass and better top end but with plenty of that awesome midrange that family of tubes is known for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicSeeker Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 10 hours ago, Fido said: I have a Primaluna evo 400 and i have started playing with Tube Rolling with it. I started out with the stock EL34 tubes and it sounded great. I had those in for over a year and I then tried a couple of Brimar preamp tubes and I liked the difference they made. A few months later my wife bought me 8 new KT150s and to my ears in my system I loved the change to the 150s over the el34s. Much more punchy mid bass and top end very clean. Having changed my Forte 1s to the new Forte IVs the mid base and mid range is just so much more dynamic at every level. I do not think I will ever go back to the EL 34s or get rid of the Brimars I have the same amplifier and agree with what was said here. I did not lose anything that I had with the EL-34's when I switched to the 150's. The gains for me were tighter bass, more speed and more detail throughout. They both sound great though and it is a personal preference. As for NOS versus new comment all of my small tubes are NOS and they are much better than any of the current offerings I have tried, but the KT-150's are excellent tubes but be picky where you purchase them. The joy of tubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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