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Author Topic: EL34's?  (Read 2232 times)

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Valentin Hogea

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EL34's?
« on: February 23, 2013, 09:13:00 AM »
Thinking about stocking up on a quad of EL34's, whether they'll sit in an Electra or BHSE in the future, we'll see.
I've searched around for EL34 tube rolling threads without too much success..


I got the following NOS-tubes to choose between:



  • RFT EL34 with different brandings such as: Siemens, Telefunken, Tungsram, HQ,  Zaerix etc.
  • Mullard EL34 with different brandings such as Philips, Siemens, Telefunken, Valvo eller  Mullard most types such as xf1, xf2, xf3 och  xf4
  • Also some "real" Tungsram från 60-80's
  • Telefunken  with/without winged heatsink
  • also Philips EL34 metal base from mid-50's

Any new productions worth while?


Thx,
V
 
« Last Edit: February 23, 2013, 11:47:12 AM by Valentin Hogea »
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MuppetFace

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Re: EL34's?
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2013, 01:32:44 PM »
^ Relevant to my interests. I'll have the Russian Mullard EL34s coming with the Electra; also does Justin include tubes with the BHSE?
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Valentin Hogea

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Re: EL34's?
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2013, 02:45:52 PM »
Been reading around regarding new production, and several sources seem to point to Electro Harmonix EL34's... Since they were made as clones of Mullard EL34. However, nowadays not sure if it's valid with the reissue Mullards etc...


Maybe I should just pick up a quad of original Mullards XF1's and XF2's and stop obsessing. It usually ends up with the "best" wether I try to keep the costs down. Audio-OCD... Is that a diagnosis?
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shipsupt

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Re: EL34's?
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2013, 03:20:41 PM »
I am not familiar with the Electra topology, so I can't say too much about what tube rolling is going to do.

The BHSE is a hybrid and has basically the same output stage as the T2 (Constant current source, grounded grid tube stage with p-channel FET driver).  In other words, tube rolling is going to have a pretty limited effect.  That said, I know I won't be able to resist some tube rolling when my BHSE arrives.

The BHSE is delivered with a quad of stock tubes.  Previous issues were Mullard.

A few new production tubes I've heard mentioned:
JJ - Cheap, mixed reviews.
SED Winged "C" - Spritzer favorite.  Cheap.  Supposed to be very durable and good all 'rounder.
Genelex Gold Lion KT77
Tung Sol
Treasure 6CA7
Mullard (stock)

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ader

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Re: EL34's?
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2013, 05:50:02 AM »
Quote from: MuppetFace on February 23, 2013, 01:32:44 PM
^ Relevant to my interests. I'll have the Russian Mullard EL34s coming with the Electra; also does Justin include tubes with the BHSE?

Are you going to mess with different 6SN7's as well, or would that not make a big difference?
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MuppetFace

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Re: EL34's?
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2013, 06:27:48 AM »
Quote from: ader on February 24, 2013, 05:50:02 AM
Quote from: MuppetFace on February 23, 2013, 01:32:44 PM
^ Relevant to my interests. I'll have the Russian Mullard EL34s coming with the Electra; also does Justin include tubes with the BHSE?

Are you going to mess with different 6SN7's as well, or would that not make a big difference?

I've got the LG coming, so yeah I'll definitely be messing with 6SN7s quite a bit. I'll have plenty on hand to try with other amps. Check out the tube rolling thread for 6SN7 suggestions.
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Valentin Hogea

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Re: EL34's?
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2013, 09:48:21 AM »
Quote from: MuppetFace on February 24, 2013, 06:27:48 AM
Quote from: ader on February 24, 2013, 05:50:02 AM
Quote from: MuppetFace on February 23, 2013, 01:32:44 PM
^ Relevant to my interests. I'll have the Russian Mullard EL34s coming with the Electra; also does Justin include tubes with the BHSE?

Are you going to mess with different 6SN7's as well, or would that not make a big difference?

I've got the LG coming, so yeah I'll definitely be messing with 6SN7s quite a bit. I'll have plenty on hand to try with other amps. Check out the tube rolling thread for 6SN7 suggestions.


If it accepts 6SL7's I can highly recommend Mullard 60's Tall Black Base. They're expensive, but fantastic.
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jazzerdave

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Re: EL34's?
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2013, 08:28:24 PM »
I don't have experience with these tubes in headphone amps, but I've got a bunch of EL34/6CA7's at home for my speaker amps.

NOS:
     - Mullard xf2
     - RFT
     - RFT (Siemens branded)
     - RCA (black plate, slim)
     - Svetlana (before New Sensor bought them)

New Production:
     - Shuguang Treasure 6CA7-Z
     - Gold Lion KT-77
     - Winged C
     
For my money, the best NOS options are the Mullards and the RFT's.  If you're looking for the classic "midrange to die for", the get the Mullards.  If you're looking for linearity without grain, I like the RFT's.  The Winged C's are from the same factory as the NOS (Pre-New Sensor) Svetlana's.  The older Svetlana's are better, and second only to the Mullards if you're looking for euphony.

The Gold Lions and Black Treasures are great for current production tubes, and the Lions aren't all that expensive.  I think the Black Treasures are very good tubes (and are currently in use in my speaker amp), but you might find some Mullards for the price and could easily find a quad of the RFT's.  They're kind of sound like the Mullard with better control over the bass but with a tiny hint of grain added to the treble.
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