On the far left, for comparison purposes only is the Electro Harmonix 6CA7; the welded plate version circa 2008. Next to that is the very early big-body Sovtek EL34. There was much speculation that this was simply a relabeled 6L6, but it really doesn't resemble any Russian 6L6 of the period that I am familiar with. Next is the Sovtek EL34G a common, and much maligned tube. I must be the only one that loves the souund of this one, but it is upper midrange/treble centric. Next is the Sovtek coin base marked 5881/6L6WGC which the eagle eyed will quickly realize is just a relabeled 6N3C-E, or whatever the correct translation is. Next up the Sovtek EL84 circa 2002 with the saucer getter, and finally the Sovtek EL84M, which is the same as the 6P14C-ED. Again, please correct my translation from the Cyrillic.
They one that most will not be familiar with is the big body EL34, which I really like the sound of. I only have a couple of quads of this one, so I don't use it often, but it has good punch allied with a soft focus that makes for a very unique sound. Of course, this will be very amp dependent.
I didn't show any of the early small signal tubes, but none are to my taste.
6550 familiy merits another photo.
