organ Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Just wondering what your fav EL34 tube is. I've tried JJ E34L, Electro Harmonix, Shuguang, SED and Svetlana (Reflektor). It took a long time for me to decide between the JJ and EH but now I've made up my mind and prefer the more lively sound of EH. I do enjoy the tubey bass and warmth of JJ though. So which brand do you guys prefer? Maurice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playntheblues Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 I have a set of Mullards in my mono blocks right now and they are one of the best el 34's I have listen too. JJ's would be my second fav. right now (subject to change)LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 ---------------- On 2/15/2005 5:07:12 PM playntheblues wrote: I have a set of Mullards in my mono blocks right now and they are one of the best el 34's I have listen too. JJ's would be my second fav. right now (subject to change)LOL ---------------- I'll second the Mullards but be ready to pay big $ for a nice set. I'm running them in my VRD's right now. P&B, What mono blocks are you running your system profile says Cayin TA30 ? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organ Posted February 15, 2005 Author Share Posted February 15, 2005 Sounds cool. You guys are talking about genuine Mullards right? Not the new ones made by Reflektor. If anybody have tried the Reflektor made Mullards, I'd be interested in your thoughts. I hear they're re-branded Russians (Svetlana) but according to tubedepot.com they look similar to Svetlana but are a little different in internal structure. I just can't believe they cost double what other current production tubes go for. Don't know if you're paying for quality or the brand name. Maurice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 plus, what is your best source? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
organ Posted February 15, 2005 Author Share Posted February 15, 2005 The cheapest I've seen is tubedepot.com selling the new Mullards for $44 a pair. I've never purchased from them. I buy my tubes from www.thetubestore.com Maurice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playntheblues Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Hi Craig, well this is probably a whole new thread, but........ I have to pair of monos now. I sold the Cayin. I have Dodd Audio 8 watters with 4 5687 1959 GE 5 Star Blackplates. Two in the driver stage and two for the output PP. And a pair of his 50 watt amps by Dodd. which are really about 35 watts. They have two 5687 1959 GE 5 Star Blackplates in the driver stage and two el 34's. I am VERY excited about a pair of Sun Audo monos that are coming on Thursday they are DHT PP 300b's! I will keep two sets. I assume the Sun Audio and one pair of the Dodds. All the best, Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnm Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 I replaced the Sovtek EL34s in my ASL AQ1003DT with Electro Harmonics 6CA7s and noted an across the board improvement.It sounded very nice indeed with the Sovteks but the EHs took the amp into another league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgeraci Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 As far as inexpensive tubes, the pre-JJ's Teslas if can still find some. They are pretty smooth with nice bass punch. I liked EH KT-90s with my Mark IIIs, but the EH EL34 sounded much thinner than the Teslas. I also liked the JJs somewhat, but not as much as the Teslas. I did not really like the Sovteks as all. Too harsh for me at higher volumes. As far as expensive NOS, I would have to say the Genelex KT77s (as a replacement for the EL34). As far as new tubes, I have always had a good experience with tube depot. www.tubedepot.com. As far as NOS, Vacuum Tube Valley is first rate. www.vacuumtube.com. Charlie Kittleson is very helpful, performs nice testing, and has a nice selection of tubes. Carl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 I agree with Carl regarding the teslas and JJ's. My choice for expensive EL34's : 1. Amperex/philips DD getter 2. Early version of Mullard with XF1 codes "big base" 3. Genalex KT77's 4. RCA/Sylvania 6CA7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 The Cayin TA 30 is my first tube amp so I don't have a lot of experience with tube rolling yet. Changed out the stock Cayin tubes for some Svetlana which sounds very good and then I tried the Electro Harmonics 6CA7s which also had a good sound. The Electro Harmonics 6CA7s have much better bass but the midrange and highs are smoother on the Svetlanas. Since the Cayin TA 30 can use many different tubes I have thought about trying some KT88s, has anyone with a Cayin TA 30 tried this? Xman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ki Choi Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 Maurice: Did you try the New production Mullard EL34s from TubeDepot and compare them to the high buck NOS Mullards? Thanks, Ki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 ---------------- On 2/16/2005 2:04:13 PM Ki Choi wrote: Maurice: Did you try the New production Mullard EL34s from TubeDepot and compare them to the high buck NOS Mullards? Thanks, Ki ---------------- There's really nothing to compare. The new ones are just russian tmade ubes that are branded Mullard. I think that they are manufactured by Sovtek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playntheblues Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 I have they are bright and thin. FOR SURE! I just got through returning them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul cbc Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 My vote for new production tubes goes to the JJ E34L. I think it does a great job all around. paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ki Choi Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 Guy: Thanks for your clarification on New Mullards. BTW, are the Marantz 5 monoblocks on Audiogon yours? Tempting.... But I shouldn't. Ki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 ---------------- On 2/16/2005 9:23:30 PM Ki Choi wrote: Guy: Thanks for your clarification on New Mullards. BTW, are the Marantz 5 monoblocks on Audiogon yours? Tempting.... But I shouldn't. Ki ---------------- Ki, The 5's on Audiogon were mine . Their new owner had just picked them up half an hour ago. I have another pair in even better condition that I'll probably sell one day. I'll keep you posted. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 In researching tubes for a bass/guitar amp, I ran across the Griive Tubes RI of the GE 6CA7. Still haven't found any word on them worth reading. They supposedly bought GE's tooling and "recipe". Somewhat pricey, but not too bad compared to what I've gotten used to. Dang 350B & 7591A.... I just wonder how they sound. I'll probably never know. I have an all-horn bass rig waiting to be picked up @ the bus station. That, combined with several (yes, several) surprise expenses has called for the sale of said bass/guitar amp. The new speakers should let me get away with my existing 2x6L6 bass amp (I'm hoping). Anyway, the GT looked interesting. Dang sump pump, white-tail deer, etc, etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 ---------------- On 2/16/2005 10:34:18 PM bclarke421 wrote: In researching tubes for a bass/guitar amp, I ran across the Griive Tubes RI of the GE 6CA7. Still haven't found any word on them worth reading. They supposedly bought GE's tooling and "recipe". Somewhat pricey, but not too bad compared to what I've gotten used to. Dang 350B & 7591A.... I just wonder how they sound. I'll probably never know. I have an all-horn bass rig waiting to be picked up @ the bus station. That, combined with several (yes, several) surprise expenses has called for the sale of said bass/guitar amp. The new speakers should let me get away with my existing 2x6L6 bass amp (I'm hoping). Anyway, the GT looked interesting. Dang sump pump, white-tail deer, etc, etc.... ---------------- Ben, Any 350Bs laying around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 Oh ffff... Actually, I dropped Miles off at G'mas today (he was head-banging to Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 the whole way) to put in a few solid hours in the room in question. I've got to mix a demo for a friend, and the room formerly known as a project studio is downright ridiculous. Anyway, found the box (and one in which to double-box). I know you're busting my chops, but the answer is yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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