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EL34 recommendations

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mikecj

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Joined 2007
#1
Just purchased my first tube stereo a Jolida 302. I'm on a budjet and am satisfied so faqr with the improvement over the "crap" ss system I was running.

I have been using tube guitar amps for decades and have been building them for a few years no.

What I am looking for is recommendation or opinion regarding the el34 in the Jolida and which brands are preferred for the HIFI application. [came with chinese glass sounds okay]

I have upgraded the coupling caps, and have a pair of NOS GE long plate 12ax7 and a pair of nos GE 12at7wb that I will replace the stock tube with.

I would like some feedback re the el34 though. JJ, Groove, EH,?????

Thanks
Mike
 
#3
I agree, you gotta get some tubes and live with them for a bit to see how they work out. In time you find which ones give you the warm and fuzzy feeling.

From my experience with the 34 in a guitar amp, they can be so different, even from the same manufacturer!

Snag a few and do some listening tests. I'm sure some people will post here with their choice picks.
 
#6
Hi Mike,

I'm also interested in new EL34's for my 302B, still using the original Shuguangs, but wired in triode. I was going to try JJ KT77's, but they seem to have gotten a pretty bad reputation, so they're off my list.
I tried a quad of Ruby EL34's briefly, they sounded like they would be better in a guitar amp, nice tone but not very hifi.

Rumor has it New Sensor is coming out with a KT77 reissue (waiting to see what they are like).

Stretching the budget a bit, there is also NOS RFT/Siemens EL34, which are supposed to be excellent but not cheap.

What caps did you use for coupling? I have some Russian .22uf K40 pio's, but they aren't in yet. The leads appear to be too short to reach without modification.

Jeff
 
#7
SED makes a nice EL34. If money is no object then a set of Mullard xf2's.

Also be aware that Ruby = Sino = Shuguang as far as I'm aware.

I've also found that for preamp tubes anything blackplate is the way to go. RCA's if you can get 'em. Sylvania 6679 blackplates make a great 12at7 alternate and are cheap.
 
#9
Thanks for the replies and links guys....

Jeff I used "Kimber" to replace the interstage couplers mainly because they are what I had on hand.

Any one had experience with the Groove Tube " reissued "Mullard "Style"" EL34s ordered in the 6 to 8 range of their "breakup / distortion" index ???

Thanks again all

Mike
 
#10
I would question the quality of most of JJ's tubes. I have JJ EL34's, EH EL34's, SED EL34's, new production Tung Sol 6L6GC-STR, Chinese 6L6's, etc. I believe the Shuguang EL34B is a nice tube for little money. The SED is a nice step up from them. Next on my list would be a quad of the TAD mesh plate EL34's.

As far as the driver goes, I would adjust the operating point of the 12AX7 to draw more current and replace it with a 12AV7. 12AT7's are a dime a dozed on eBay. Sylvania grey plates ought to be great in that app.
 
#11
I'm going to be rude and hijack this a little...

Does anyone have any recommendations for new production EL34's based solely on electrical stability and reliability? I need 5 for a bench power supply.

Feel free to tell me off for hijacking and I'll go and start my own thread, but it seemed to make sense to butt in here.
 
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