jbsl Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 So far I have used these tubes in my Cayin TA 30 and to me the EH 6CA7s sound the smoothest and overall balanced of these tubes. Svetlana EL 34s Electro Harmonix EL 34s Tung Sol 6550s Elctro Harmonix 6CA7s I would like to try some other brand of 6CA7s but I cannot afford the GE or other NOS 6CA7s. Does anyone who likes these tubes know of another brand than Electro Harmonix that I could try? Also curious about KT 88s what is it they bring to the sound? When I tried the Tung Sol 6550s was not really impressed by the midrange it sounded subdued. The EL 34s sound kind of harsh and unrefined but of the two types of EL 34s I prefered the electro harmonix EL 34s, nice bass and a bit smoother but not enough for the sound I like. So for now I will stay with the EH 6CA7s unless I can find a better 6CA7s or some KT 88s suprise me, thanks for any ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Personally I think installing KT88's or 6550's in a amp like the Cayin that will run them so far under there specification is always going net poor results. All tubes have there sweet spot of operation to bring out the best sound. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 So even though the Cayin can run KT 88 or 6550s it really designed to run EL 34/6CA7 and that is why these tubes sound best in the amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 i used to use Sylvania 6CA7's ..... it was just an Industrial EL-34, ..more filiment supports, i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I do believe that Craig put JJ el34's in my Marantz 8b and they sound fine. More expensive than the EH but they are still very reasonable compared to NOS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I've been trying the Valve Art EL34 in my 8B. Valve Art has been making some good tubes. They aren't very expensive so it couldn't hurt to try them and see what you think. I don't spend much time critically listening for different tube nuances so I can't say much about them other than they sound fine to me. They replaced a quad of weak Mullards and before that Svetlana Winged C's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 I have only tried the two types of EL 34s so I might give some of the suggestions a go. I know the 6CA7 is supposed to be the same thing as the EL 34 but so far I think it sounds better than the 34s. Is anyone interested in a quad of Tung Sol 6550s for $85? I used them in my Cayin for around 10 days and the sound was not what I was looking for so I don't see any reason to keep them. Thanks for the ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I have only tried the two types of EL 34s so I might give some of the suggestions a go. I know the 6CA7 is supposed to be the same thing as the EL 34 but so far I think it sounds better than the 34s. Is anyone interested in a quad of Tung Sol 6550s for $85? I used them in my Cayin for around 10 days and the sound was not what I was looking for so I don't see any reason to keep them. Thanks for the ideas! Are these originals or the modern reproduction? I may want them. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I have only tried the two types of EL 34s so I might give some of the suggestions a go. I know the 6CA7 is supposed to be the same thing as the EL 34 but so far I think it sounds better than the 34s. Is anyone interested in a quad of Tung Sol 6550s for $85? I used them in my Cayin for around 10 days and the sound was not what I was looking for so I don't see any reason to keep them. Thanks for the ideas! You have email. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 These are the modern ones I don't think I could afford the original ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Good deal anyway. Grab them Larry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorcoll Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I have tried many EL34 tubes in my CJ MV-50 (that I use for the bass in my Khorns) and definitely the EH-6CA7 (Fat Bottle) is the best of all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 I tried the EH 6CA7s for the bass and was really surprised by the smoother midrange and nice highs. I have not tried all the EL 34s and in the coming months will probably try more 34s just to hear them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsl Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 The Tung Sols are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 The Tung Sols are gone. Cool! Can't wait,now to get the mini box and I can try the third MKIII. Thanks James, Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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