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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE34I.6 >> My SE34l.6 Rachael Tube Rolling Experiences
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Message started by wapaolini on 04/07/26 at 02:40:39

Title: My SE34l.6 Rachael Tube Rolling Experiences
Post by wapaolini on 04/07/26 at 02:40:39

Over the past year I have been rolling tubes in my Decware SE34l.6 Rachael amplifier. My rationale was just to hear the differences they might make, even though satisfied with the stock tube performance. Below is the list of tubes rolled as well as my listening impressions for those that might be interested.

Power: 1) 6N1P-EV:   Russian Mil-Spec New Old Stock (NOS)
   2) ECG 6922: Phillips Mil-Spec Joint Army Navy (JAN) NOS
3) 6N2P-EV:   Russian Mil-Spec NOS (Testing TBD)
On the Power Tubes, I frankly heard no obvious difference between the 6N1P and 6922. Even so I still decided to get a Russian Mil-Spec 6N2P-EV to hear if it makes any audible listening difference. Will post an update here when I do that.

Rectifier: 1) 5U4G: Nesstone
  2) GZ34S/5AR4: JJ
3) GZ34/5AR4:   Telefunken
  4) 5AR4: PSVANE
  5) 5U4GB: Philips JAN NOS
The Nesstone I found rather relaxed. While some people prefer this quality it is not something I chase, preferring smooth, tuneful, and dynamic as the sonic qualities I gravitate towards. The JJ and Telefunken were both definitely more dynamic than the Nesstone, but otherwise similar. Of those two I felt I preferred the Telefunken just a bit more. The PSVANE was a wonderful change being both very dynamic so it could handle punchy Rock & Roll with ease as well as complex classical. Rock & Roll became a very toe tapping listening experience with the PSVANE, whereas I never reacted that way with the others. To my surprise, the PSVANE also altered the sound signature which I was not expecting from a rectifier. So, music with this tube had a little bit more tonality and richness. Finally, the NOS JAN Phillips took that tonality and richness character a step further than the PSVANE so now keep that in the amplifier. Frankly though, the difference is small between the PSVANE and Phillips so no need to chance after NOS here in my opinion, unless looking for potentially more longevity from your tubes, especially since these NOS tubes are also hardened JAN MilSpec. Happily though, if you do go after these Phillips JAN NOS rectifiers, I found that the prices are not elevated yet on these so can still find then in the $30+ range. So for that price I purchased two and I keep the Phillips NOS JAN 5U4GB in place in the Rachael now.

Output: 1) EL34:   Decware
2) EL34:   Nesstone
3) EL34B: TungSol
4) EL34B: Shunguang
5) EL34-II: JJ
6) EL34L: JJ
7) EL34:   Mullard (current production)
8) 6CA7EH: Electro Harmonix (Fat Bottle)
9) 6L6GC: Preferred Series (thetubestore.com)

Two clear winners, the JJ EL34L and the Preferred Series 6L6GC (store brand of Canadian thetubestore.com). These two were ahead of the rolling pack and distinctively excellent.

The JJ EL34-Ls have hallmarks of punchy dynamics, outstanding bass, liquid tonal mids/vocals with mids being slightly forward. Basically, they had what I would characterize as the strongest “tubey” sound of the bunch with great tone and no sharp edges on the music. Definitely a listen to all day kind of tube. None of the other EL34s stood out as well as this one, and were to varying degrees flat or ordinary compared to the JJ EL34L to my ear.

Now the Preferred Series 6L6GC was quite a surprise and a change from the sonic character of the EL34s. Its hallmarks were amazingly sparkling hi-mids to trebles, and with this was abundantly more micro details obvious in the music. It was quite a different and rewarding listening experience! The 6L6GC also produced the most holographic soundstage, along with a character to the soundstage that I could not put my finger on but my reaction to was that somehow the soundstage sounded more balances and just “right” or “real”. Instrument attacks on musical notes were also detailed and apparent with this tube, with both instruments and vocals sounding more natural and uncolored. This latter point also meant that the rich tonality of that EL34s generally have was not a quality here. But their detail retrieval, natural uncolored sound to my ear, and the beautiful sparkle of the higher mids to treble frequencies was just a surprising and beautiful difference. So, for my tastes, both the JJ EL34L and the Preferred Series 6L6GC are keepers for my Decware SE34l.6. Both provide thoroughly enjoyable, and very different experiences that far outshine to my ear all the other Output tubes I have tried.

And for folks who want a compromise in the middle of these two, would recommend the Electro-Harmonix 6CA7EH. Interestingly these seemed to fall right between the qualities of the JJ EL34L and the Preferred Series 6L6GC, and they still retain a satisfying portion of the liquid and tonally rich qualities of the JJ EL34L, probably leaning a little more toward the qualities of the JJ EL34L than the Electro-Haromix 6CA7EH. However, for me I have settled on both the Preferred Series 6L6GC and the Electro Harmonix “Fat Bottle” 6CA7EH as my standard for the amplifier. When I want the warm, tonally rich, and ability to deliver dynamics with punch and bass, then I load the JJ EL34L tubes. And when I want to be dazzled with some truly sparkling higher registers, abundant micro details, and a very special soundstage, then the Preferred Series 6L6GC tubes get used. I like to mix things up from time to time so like having these two sonic characters to be at my disposal.

FYI, all my listening tests were with Klipsch Forte 1 speakers and the Phillips NOS JAN 5U4GB Rectifier and 6N1P-EV Power Tubes in the Decware SE34l,6 Rachael amplifier. All the listening tests were also using CDs and not Vinyl. CD player was an Arcam CD5 used as a transport only. DAC was a Schiit Yggdrasil LIM.