6L6 vs EL34

[resident]

Hi
I was designing an amp with 6L6.But a friend of mine stopped me

and ask me why I'm going with 6L6 and not with EL34.

He believes that EL34 sounds better than 6L6 and that I can achieve the same power.
But........
As a newbie I'd like to ask some other people opinion.
What do you say?

[SY]

I'd say find some friends who are less certain in their opinions.

You can make an excellent amp with either of these output tubes, as long as the design is sound. Both work well in the 50 watt range. The EL34s have higher gain and are a bit easier to drive.

[Brett]

I pretty much agree with SY, but it depends on what you're trying to do. In Class A triode, my preference is for the EL34, but I've built a couple of very nice 6L6 variants. In AB and/or terode/pentode the choice is less clear cut for me, but if you're not bothered by topcaps, there are a bazillion great old 807's out there that can be had really cheap. I like the look of the ST bottle too....

In the end, it depends on the circuit and implementation.

[SY]

I should add that these are not the only alternatives in this size/power range. Others should be considered.

[DougL]

I should add that these are not the only alternatives in this size/power range. Others should be considered.

I was curious what your list would look like?


Doug

[SY]

Depends on how adventurous you are and your willingness to chase NOS. In the NOS category, the "super" 6BG6s that have been around at attractive prices are a great choice. They like to see 6600 ohm plate-plate. 6JN6 and similar medium-power sweep tubes are also bargains that perform extremely well with the right circuit. EL38s can still be found. EL37s are spectacular, but fairly unobtainable. I'd look at paralleled EL84s, and (if they're actually reliable and meet spec) 7591s.

If I were doing a new commercial design today, I'd be using EL509s.

[anatech]

Hi resident,
There is nothing wrong with 6L6's or their variants. I own amplifiers using 6L6's, 7591's, EL34's and 6BQ5's. I'm sure I have others too. I'd worry more about the iron and the layout.
If you are thinking tube life, a 6L6GC is a 30W, EL34 is 25W and 7581A/KT-66 is 35W. 5881's are rated at 25W. Pushing a 25W tube into the 50W range may shorten tube life a bit, or increase distortion. This depends on your design.
Design away and enjoy, try another tube on your next design if you are curious.
-Chris

[Geek]

For Hi-Fi, either are excellent. For guitar amplifiers though, use the EL34 for your bass guitar and the 6L6 for your 6 or 12 string

[resident]

My plan is to use 6L6 or EL34 in CFB P-P configuration. But I’d like to try them in UL, tetrode or pentode and triode P-P, too. You know, with the classic method by changing connections at taps of OPT. Just to see the difference with CFB! So, choose any tube I like? I like to drive them at 30watts. I think I’ll go with 6L6.
At Va = 400-450V, Ia=50-60mA and AB1 P-P.

@SY and Brett
I know that there are a lot of tubes out there with same size/power range. But, as a newbie I’d like to try some usual one. If I start to think about alternatives, I’ll go..
Even right now I can’t decide btw those two!

[resident]

@SY
EL509 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I like them ,too.
But on next project.