EL34 tubes to match Cornwalls

[jpmgumdoc]

I just purchased a used Jolida 302A amp with stock tubes to use with my Cornwalls for 2 channel listening. The amp has not arrived yet and I plan to use it with the stock tubes initially. This is my first venture into the world of tubes and I've read alot about tube rolling to improve sound. Does anyone with tube experience have any recommendations for EL34 tubes to get the best sound from the Cornwalls?

Thanks,
John

[Guest " "]

kt-77's are direct replacements, if you want options.

[seti]

Here are two links but when it comes to NOS Tubes or alleged NOS I talk to Brent Jessie. I have found him to be honest and easy deal with.

http://www.audiotubes.com/el34.htm

http://www.thetubestore.com/el34review.html

[Guest " "]

"or alleged NOS "

very true...

[tillmbil]

Wow, it has been quite some time since I ahve posted. I have always found the Mullard XF2's to be good for NOS tubes.I have them in my MarkIV's and also used them in a ST-70 I had.

[jpmgumdoc]

Thanks, I have read alot of good things and nothing negative about Mullard tubes. Seems lots of people like some of the Russian tubes (svetlana) as well. I'm looing forward to trying tubes with my Cornwalls.

[paully]

Most of the EL-34's being made today are good quality, it is a matter

of tonal taste often. I preferred the JJ E34L to the

Svetlana. The JJ KT-77 are magic and getting good press, just

make sure you buy from a very reputable dealer as there were pin size

and quality control problems in the first batches if you go that

route. I am currently running EH 6CA7. Very rich

tubes. I can't say what will be best on your Cornwalls as

that isn't what I have, only can say what my experience has been with

the tubes I have heard. NOS Mullard are outrageously

priced. However, if you can swing it, my personal preference is

NOS Tesla. Those are incredible tubes. Personally I would

go with the JJ E34L to start. Of the new production tubes I have

heard they are solid performers and cost is reasonable with few quality

problems. You may very well enjoy the KT-77 more, I did, but

there aren't the quality control problems there that have cropped up (a

lot) with the KT-77 with the E34L.

[scott0527]

Thanks, I have read alot of good things and nothing negative about Mullard tubes. Seems lots of people like some of the Russian tubes (svetlana) as well. I'm looing forward to trying tubes with my Cornwalls.

Keep in the mind the term NOS is loosely thrown around, even here. It should mean 'New, Old Stock". Meaning the tubes have never been used at all and still come in whatever original packaging they might have come in. If you are merely looking to hear how a set of vintage tubes sounds in your amp, you don't need to find NOS tubes. Find a nice set of used Mullards from a source you can trust and you see if you like them or not. Brent Jesse mentioned above is a reliable source.

I woudn't get too caught up in tube swapping right off the bat. Online forums posters love to talk about it. The differences I've experienced are usually small but it can be fun to do as long as you don't obsess over it.

[paully]

It may be making a virtue out of necessity, but I wouldn't bother with

NOS or used old stock at all. The prices just are too much

compared to new production and the difference in sound quality in the

EL-34 line just isn't large enough to justify the cost

differential. From JJ to EH to Sovtek there are just too many

options in cheap new production tubes that sound great. For the

guy starting out it seems to me that JJ is the place to start and sets

the standard. MHO.

[stringmun1]

I use a Jolida 202A to power my surrounds...formerly to power my Heresy pair. I am still using the stock Chinese EL-34's (tried a quad of EH EL-34's...one of 'em failed after about 100 hours). I noticed more of an improvement after replacing the stock driver tubes (ie,12AT7's and 12AX7's) with NOS Telefunkens and RCA's.

Hal