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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE34I.5 >> What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
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Message started by Rivieraranch on 03/06/12 at 03:40:48

Title: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Rivieraranch on 03/06/12 at 03:40:48

I was wondering whether you could use a JJE34L, which has a slightly higher grid voltage rating (-13.5 to-16.5 vs -10 to -13.5 volts) than the traditional EL34.

If not what kind of EL34 would be a good match for this circuit?

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Lon on 03/06/12 at 03:45:51

I've used those with success in my .2 model. The pair that worked the best for me in the .2 was surprisingly a pair of the Mullard reissues. A nice tube for "all seasons" so to speak.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Rivieraranch on 03/06/12 at 03:47:40

I'm considering flipping Jim McShane email asking him about the ones he carries. I was wondering about the Winged C. They are getting expensive.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Rivieraranch on 03/12/12 at 23:45:42

McShane told me that the Genalex reissue KT-77 is the best tube
of the family tonally.

The Mullard Reissue EL34 is second place.

The 6CA7 fat bottle EH tube is a terrific bottle, according to McShane. It has excellent bass and a nice top end. It isn't as warm as the other two, but it's a really fine sounding tube.

Mcshane told me that the Chinese tubes are "okay." This is far from a ringing endorsement.

He does not carry JJ octal tubes due to what he termed incredibly poor quality.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Lon on 03/13/12 at 03:26:37

Myself, I've never liked the sound of KT77s but I've never heard them in a Decware amp. Still, the Hazen Grid mod doesn't affect that tube type.

I've used a pair of EL34 Mullard Reissues in my Integrated .2 and they were very very nice. One of these days I'll try a quad in my Torii.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by alper_yilmaz on 03/13/12 at 10:15:25

I am currently running a pair of reissue Genalex KT-77's and despite not benefiting from the Hazen Grid Mod, they have given me the best sound so far, with lots of air around and a much nicer bass response than the other tubes.

The amp originally came with the Mullard reissues and they are nice as well; yet nowhere close to the KT-77's.

The big bottle EH's did nit impress me much somehow. The JJ EL-34's are quite fine; the most silent of the bunch; yet not extraordinary in terms of sound.

I also tried a pair of Siemens NOS EL-34's. They seemed to boost the noise coming from the CSP, so I took them out immediately. I should give them a second chance for sure. I might be totally wrong about the source of the noise though. Somehow, as soon as I bring the CSP in the signal chain, there is some hum, which does not cut the mix, yet disturbing for an OCD like myself! :)

Best,

Alper

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Lon on 03/13/12 at 13:09:40

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Raymond on 03/20/14 at 17:08:51

My current set up is using some late 1950 seimens el34 tubes as they go very well with my vintage mullard gz32 metal base rectifier (as you can see I love vintage tubes)

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by 4krow on 03/20/14 at 18:55:34

So far, I have preferred the tubes that came with my amp-Tung-Sol. I did try a pair of Rubies, and all in all, they were less detailed,but great for some music. I went back to the stock tubes after missing a bit of detail. Of course, other factors are important in tube play, speakers/room/preference.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Doorman on 03/20/14 at 19:13:04

I also like the Mullard EL34 reissues, as well as the Sed Winged C's.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a
Post by jameskk on 03/26/14 at 17:16:51

I started out with the mullard reissues , typical mullard, very good , clinical low noise , changed to tungsols more euphonic very good , and as much as I hate to say it because of the trouble I had with them the JJEL34 seems the best in the Racheal so far, now these tubes may have not gotten a chance to breakin properly , but as of this moment I like the JJ's. not the 6ca7s just plain old EL34's!!

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Palomino on 04/09/14 at 23:17:29

+1 on the JJs. I like them a little better than the Tung Sols.

Title: Re: What EL34 to use in SE34I.3 a/k/a "Rachel"
Post by Frimpy on 06/29/14 at 23:13:12

Purchased a new VPI Scout 1.1 3 weeks ago, so this week I bought some new tubes. Wonderful table...was real fun to setup..o ya right. Did cuss a few times.
Have a SE34.4 can see setup below.

Comparing 6CA7 JJ's from Cryoset against Shuguang 6CA7-Z treasures. Also comparing 6N1P's against 1960 NOS Amperex 6DJ8 white label made in holland . The amperex and JJ's have 6 hours on them while the 6n1p's and Treasures have many hours on them.
1. The Treasure and 6n1p combo have been my go to setup for awhile. Clean sounding bass, good air , open no issues, great with instruments and voices.
2. Now the JJ 6ca7 and Amperex 6dj8 combo, deeper bass and midbass, less air on top (not by much), bass is really rich but woolly or warm not as clean as the Treasures and 6n1p combo. Instruments and voices are wonderful. I'm a bass junkie so I like this setup.
3. Mix and matching these 4 sets of tubes is fun, the Amperex has the deep richer but wooly bass. The 6n1p more air in upper registers tighter bass, and a little more inner detail. (very little)
4. The JJ and Treasure 6ca7's aren't that different sounding to me, the JJ's have more bass and are a little darker and slightly warmer.
6. This is interesting to me because the Treasures are over $100/pr and the Cry'd JJ 6ca7 are $45...
Long live Decware