Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

---

[ Follow Ups ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Tubes Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ] [ Edit ] [ Delete ]

---

Re: "Old Stock" Soviet and Czech tubes

172.190.215.149

Posted by TnT on September 24, 2002 at 00:06:10

In Reply to: "Old Stock" Soviet and Czech tubes posted by Chris Spafford on September 23, 2002 at 17:46:57:

Chris,

I have all 3 types of Tesla's. The first one is brown-base with the regular mullard top (i.e. not round). Mine is labeled as Amperex in fuzzy "fake" orange paint. This is suppose to be the earlier one and I think this is the one that was rated very highly by VTV in their EL34 shootout. I haven't listened to this one all that much. I think it sounds very smooth and even. Nothing really jumps out at you. The second generation I have is the one with black base and the top is almost round, but not quite. These are labeled Tesla. To me, these sound very similar to the earlier version. IIRC, you've extensive experience with the current 3rd version so you know how it suppose to sound like. Visually, all three version look identical to me.

Ok, I just dug out the VTV EL34 shootout for HiFi amps, issue 16. This issue is worth the money, but some people have a real problem with the facts presented. There's even a web page on it at a German site. Anyway, vtv's comments follow:
Tesla 1991 (flat top): liquid, warm (I totally agree). Score 4.36.
"Out of the blue, this once common el34 was the top performer in our el34 test...."
JJ/Tesla 2001: dry, warm, smooth (agree also). Score 3.97.
Amperex Holland 1961: cool, dry, smooth. 3.82
Mullard xf2: liquid, smooth. 3.48
svetlana: liquid, smooth, warm. 3.18
sovtek EH 2001: dry, warm. 3.48

I think the first version is definitely worth going after, if the price is not too high.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---