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United Electron EL34 tubes? (in ST-70)

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GlassJukie

(A)

Sorry to not have a better picture of the tubes,but here they are.
I came into some "United Electron" EL34s. I can't find much info about them online or in the Tube Book. In fact I've read they are from Germany, and I've read they are US made. Anyone have any solid information on these tubes?
I have to say, they sound much better than my =C= svets. More low end, and cleaner sound. They play a bit louder too. I like them very much, but can't find any more.
This might be better posted in a different forum, but I'm using them and comparing the sound in a ST-70, so maybe not.
Thanks for the info!
James

Follow Ups:

And about the output tubes?? (United Electron 6CA7) - GlassJukie 12:02:18 05/21/06 (1)
OK, so this post got a little sidetracked. It's common knowledge that the Chnieese rectifiers are not stable. Got it. It was just for testing, I didn't want to hurt a good tube. I'm not really using that Chineese one. Fear not.
I AM, however, curious about those United Electron 6CA7s. I really like them, but can't find any info online.
tasmith1969 suggested that they are possibly Siemens. Anyone else have any ideas?
Thanks again!
James
- Re: And about the output tubes?? (United Electron 6CA7) - momalley 08:56:26 05/22/06 (0)
  Can you tell if the glass envelope is slightly narrower than the base? I agree, looks like Siemans to me, the smaller envelope would seal the deal.
  From what I've seen of United Electron, they did not make their own tubes, but rebranded others, so depending on the time that these were originally made, they may have come from one of a number of sources. I have some UE branded 7199s which are RCA tubes.
Re: United Electron EL34 tubes? (in ST-70) - tasmith1969 07:28:40 05/21/06 (4)
EL34's were never made in the USA. Looking at the crimped plates and the dimpled tops, they look like Siemens brand.
Also, GET RID OF THAT CHINESE RECTIFIER!! It will fail. You have a really nice '70, and would hate to see something ruined by it.
- Re: United Electron EL34 tubes? (in ST-70) - CWB 09:54:32 05/21/06 (0)
  I agree...chinese rectifiers generally give trouble and will blow if you sneeze at the wrong time or just look at it wrong. All the trouble I had with my ST70 were cheap rectifier related.
  Seriously, get a good NOS rectifier.
  Chris in NC
- Re: United Electron EL34 tubes? (in ST-70) - GlassJukie 08:16:13 05/21/06 (2)
  "Also, GET RID OF THAT CHINESE RECTIFIER!! It will fail."
  That was only for testing! Good eye! It's gone now. I'm using a JJ. I tried a Mesa 5AR4 also, but the JJ had a more "controlled" low end. Is it woth it to buy NOS Mullard or something for the rectifier? I see RCA and other "made by Mullards" for ok prices on eBay.
  I got some nice NOS Mullard and Amperex 6DJ8s for the front end. I'll post a followup comparison later. I still have some others in transit now.
  Thanks,
  James
  - Re: Mullard-based rectifiers - Bill Thomas 09:11:42 05/21/06 (1)
    Mullard was a prime manufacturer for GZ34/5AR4 rectifiers. MANY American companies bought their tubes from Mullard and simply re-branded them as RCA or GE tubes (as did Dynaco). Later in the game, some US manufacturers made their own 5AR4's. There is absolutley NO difference between an RCA or GE 5AR4 that started life as a Mullard tube, and an actual Mullard branded tube. The critical thing when buying tubes on eBay is to know your seller. Feedback helps, but actually knowing that the seller is someone you can trust is MUCH more important.
    The order of preference for GZ34/5AR4 rectifiers is basically this:
    1. NOS Mullard, or Mullard manufactured tubes from other makers.
    2. American NOS 5AR4 rectifiers (NOT Mullard manufactured)
    Anything else is questionable. If you MUST use a current-production tube, avoid ANY Chinese sourced tubes. They tend to fail catastrophically. Russian tubes are only *slightly* less suspect. For longevity and reliability, NOTHING beats a NOS Mullard manufactured tube.
    So-called "NEW Mullard" tubes have absolutely NOTHING in common with the old Mullard tubes. The Russians simply bought the name, just as they recently did with Tung-Sol. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.
    Of course, these are my own silly, personal opinions and are generally unencumbered by the thought process.
    Bill
    - I had my JJ arc - Paully 17:33:15 05/21/06 (0)
      and I don't believe I am the only one. I used to think rectifiers couldn't make that much of a difference. They do and an NOS Mullard is most certainly worth it!

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