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What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........

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In Reply to: RE: Mikey hates EL34 - very true and a false comparison... posted by wheezer on May 17, 2013 at 08:04:51

it is a more than fair comparison. And the 6CA7 and KT77 are sold as direct replacements for the EL34 so it is completely germane to the issue.
Again, we will all be using our own amps, and Mikey has outlined the specific conditions of his listening test. Those results may not be transportable to others amps, but they are completely valid to the context outlined. The conclusions are subjective at any rate.
Funny enough, one of my amps is a modded Dyna driving Cornwalls. I really like EL34s and going through my Mullards, Amperex, EH, etc. my top three, in order, are the Tesla E34L, JJ E34L blue glass, and GL KT77 reissue. Not to far from Mikey's conclusions, in a completely different rig.
Mikey, I appreciate your work and would love to hear more of your shoot outs.

Edits: 05/17/13

Follow Ups:

RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - wheezer 12:54:38 05/17/13 (9)
Mikey's first choice is your third. :-)
The Reissue Gen KT77 is the whole point of my post. This tube does it all.

Are all Teflon caps the same? Russian FT vs. V-cap. Nope.

And the 6CA7 and KT77 are sold as direct replacements for the EL34 so it is completely germane to the issue.

Not really, please see:
- Pentode vs. Tetrode (Open in New Window)
- Of my top three, Mike did not test the Teslas, as for me preferring........ - viridian 18:45:34 05/17/13 (1)
  the E34L to the KT77, I think that a lot of that comes down to system issues. I use Cornwalls which can be very brash, so I prefer the softer E34L. Mike is into electrostats and the revealing nature rewards the clarity of the KT77. I think that I hear what he does; I just value it differently in my system.
  And we are all aware that the 6CA7 and KT77 are different tube types than the EL34, my point was simply that they are sold as direct replacements and have the same electrical operating parameters. So if I am in the market for new tubes for my Dyna, or Primaluna, or Eico, or whatever, I will be considering those tube types for use in my amp. They do sound different as you point out, and one will like the sound, or not, but will probably consider them when retube time comes around and can probably use some sonic guidance if they are in the mix.
  And finally, something that I can agree with Eli on, bravo!
  
  Edits: 05/17/13
  - RE: Of my top three, Mike did not test the Teslas, as for me preferring........ - wheezer 18:03:54 05/18/13 (0)
    I agree with all your points.
    Many do not realize it's a synergy game. Not only within the system but moreover, the front end tubes can make or break the tone of the OPTubes.
    I too run E34L(original NOS Tesla). Mike Sanders(QK) sells them matched at good prices.
- RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - Michael Samra 13:49:14 05/17/13 (6)
  You can't objectively say that Vcap sounds better than the FT3 or vice versa...It depends where they are used and how they are used..Putting stranded silver wire on the FT2s and FT3s makes a monumental difference in detail and presentation.
  He just said his tastes are not far off but notice he doesn't mention an EL34 but an E34L Tesla and an E34L blue glass...These are not EL34s but have similarities and I like the E34L and E34LS also.
  Have you ever wondered why they came out with a KT77 and an E34L years ago? I am sure some of the aforementioned issues could be a clue..I will admit that the best I have heard EL34s sound was with the Mullard circuit with a first stage pentode going into a dual low mu triode.
  I also like them in PP/Parallel as that lowers primary impedance...
  - RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - wheezer 17:32:47 05/17/13 (5)
    I didn't subjectively comment on the sonics. I did say they're not the same.
    The "34" tubes are all power pentodes.
    
    I thought the best EL34 amp you've heard was mine?
    
    BTW, I stand corrected - you did say you are using a 500R resistor on each OPTube instead of one shared as is the case with the stock amp.
    - RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - Michael Samra 18:43:52 05/17/13 (4)
      yes
      I like your amps but that was four EL34s with the lower pri impedance..I believe running EL34s in PP/parallel is the way to do EL34s for best results.
      - RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - wheezer 19:44:38 05/17/13 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ posted by Michael Samra on May 17, 2013 at 18:43:52
        
        Yep, Tesla E34L PPP.
        I think 4K Primary Z.
        
        RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - Michael Samra 20:09:18 05/17/13 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ posted by wheezer on May 17, 2013 at 19:44:38
        
        I think 2.3k actually..You can measure those sometime using the variac and AC voltmeter trick.
        
        RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - wheezer 11:24:10 05/20/13 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ posted by Michael Samra on May 17, 2013 at 20:09:18
        
        OPT Z is 3K4
        
        RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ - wheezer 21:48:23 05/17/13 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: What does it matter if he hates EL34s, he has said what he prefers sonically........ posted by Michael Samra on May 17, 2013 at 20:09:18
        
        I did measure it a long time ago.
        Can't seem to find where I put the specs.

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