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recomend me some EL34 PLEASE

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Taz

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Joined 2006
#1
can someone reccomend some decent EL34's for my Shanling SP-80 Mono bloc's
please ? pref ones that don't cost a small fortune, I need 4 really
that sound really good especialy in the mids/vocal area.
thanks
 
#2
I am really happy with my set of Shuguang/Psvane EL34/6CA7. Mine came in an amp I purchased a while back, but they can be purchased on e-bay in matched quads for a reasonable price.
Matched Quad Psvane Vacuum Tubes EL34 Hifi Series 6CA7 | eBay

I also have a set of Electro-Harmonix EL34, but I find they are a little mid-rangy for my tastes. Perhaps they would be more to your liking. The Psvanes do not lack in mid-range at all, in comparison, but they have smoother, deeper bass and more refined highs, IMO.

I have many, many enjoyable hours on the Psvanes, and if they ever burn out I will not hesitate to replace them with same.
 
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#3
Nah don't go with Chinese EL34s man....reliability/blandness issues and hell they always sounded much less like an EL34 anyways more 6l6 like.... JJ E34L is what you are seeking they do the best el34 tone currently xD on a budget wise anyways.... if you wan't/go Nos try to find some old Tesla's or RFT's they are on a whole different level/planet in both sound and reliability xD... the newer S.E.D wing c EL34s are nice too but a bit over-priced in my opinion and they lack a bit on bass response in my opinion...
 
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#6
"Hook me up with a good deal on a good strong pair of RFT's man!? xD"
Must have been a change in atititude; i was selling RFT's and no one would buy them, called them slims. Yet they are much tougher than EL 34 Mullards which fall apart in giutar amps.
Still have some left.
Phil
 
#16
Some (ten?) years ago I bought Jolida 202a amp (EL34 PP, I modified to triode mode), and tried many kinds of EL34s.

In order: original chinese tubes (very simple sounding), JJ (after 3 years, the difference between the quad only 5%!!, good....but), used Tesla (very detailed sound), used RFT (IMHO it's nearly perfect for this small amplifier).

Used (from former eastern block) EL34s were (almost) inexpensive ones (some years ago in Hungary), but I bought 3-4 dozens for proper selection (to get one pair from a dozen).
 
#19
mississippi said:
If you can find NOS Telefunken, than you have got a very good one.
Click to expand...

Real TFK do cost a fortune if you can find them and Taz needs 4.
You can build a decent amp for the price of 4 TFK EL34 alone. Personally I would spend my money on parts upgrades.
I'm lucky enough to have small collection of Philips, Mullard, Tesla (not JJ) and RFT EL34's, but I wouldn't dream of burning up the 60 year old metal base 34's on a daily basis 😱
 
#20
Taz said:
how about something like these
Electro Harmonix EL34 *Platinum Matched* Quad Valves Tubes EH
or
JJ *E34L* Hi Grade EL34 Valves *Platinum Matched* Quad ?
Click to expand...

I recently replaced (4) 6P3S in my home brew P-P, ultralinear, stereo amp with the "Electro-Harmonix platinum matched EL34s" from an eBay seller. (I think I paid $53 shipped for the quad.) I did have to replace the cathode resistors to bias the EL34s properly, but they all self-biased within 2-3 mA of each other and sound fantastic. Bass is tighter, more articulate and buttery smooth. The highs are clean and extended - cymbals actually have sustain... Vocals will give you cold chills.... The 6P3S were muddy by comparison. I don't feel these EL34s are "shouty" by a long shot, but to be fair I'm not exactly comparing apples to apples here. Oh, these are true EL34s (read: true pentodes), not the 6CA7 pretending to be the same tube...

FWIW, this is my experience, YMMV...
 
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