Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Tung-Sol EL34 B Tubes by kach22i Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

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Model:	EL34 B
Category:	Tubes
Suggested Retail Price:	$40
Description:	Power tube
Manufacturer URL:	Tung-Sol
Model Picture:	View

Review by kach22i on December 02, 2009 at 16:28:05 IP Address: 99.131.6.136

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Background:
The tubes previously used in my Golden Tube Audio SE-100 (100 watt push pull) amplifier were Electro-Harmonix EL-34’s. I had these in use for five years (infrequent use) with no problems (purchased with unit and described as slightly used) until I tried to rebias them from 300mv-340mv range to 500mv. I have since been informed on the Golden Tube Audio Yahoo user group that a lesser 450mv puts less strain on the tubes and provides a longer life. The EH rebiasing went from fat bass and rich sounding to a leaner, cleaner sound before one of the tubes blew taking out the right channel.

The Story:
Current setting for the new Tung-Sol tubes is 460mv; I expect them to settle down to 450mv by themselves in the next few months as this has been the pattern during the early tube break-in period.

I was instructed by GTA Yahoo group members to bias on installation, again at 10 hours of use, and then again at 50 hours of use. Also, check bias every three to six months depending on use and personal neurosis. I intend to check the bias at the 100 hour mark just to be sure and safe.

I have never installed tubes before but expected a break-in period of changing, developing and maturing sound. This is exactly what has happened, but I’m expecting small changes both in what I hear and in my perceptions as they become accustomed to the new system signature sound.

In short and as a spoiler, Tung-Sol are great tubes and I would purchase them again knowing what I know now. I thought that I would prefer a more bloomy rich midrange and maybe at the expense of deep controlled bass and extended highs. However the very powerful, detailed and balanced across the spectrum sound I now have is growing on me quickly, no going back.

Tube Log 2009:

1 hr 11/12/09 biased tubes to 455mv
Great bass (Carver-like), soundstage is foreword but a bit flat. Cohesive sound top to bottom. Top end not very zingy, could sparkle more.

10 hrs 11/15/09 (2-1/2 hrs on but no music played) 11hrs total
Still dry sounding but much detail in bass. Dry means to me in this situation not in full bloom, yet very controlled. Lead guitar does not glare like it could at times before.
High end treble still muted somewhat. However voice is full and solid up and down.

TV positioned in between the speakers does not block soundstage in middle anymore like it used to with old tubes.

Solid and cohesive bass, it’s not crazy or over energized on Holly Cole’s CD Temptation like it could get before the tube change. My wife mistook Holly Cole’s CD for a vinyl record and started dancing to it.

Depeche Mode; Music for the Masses LP has full bass drive which never fades or quits. This LP can sound kind of recessed as if I could never play it loud enough, not anymore.

The Smiths; Meat is Murder is also a recessed mixed LP, it is still melancholy but in a more alive way.

4-1/2 hrs 11/16/09
Re-Bias after first 10 hours: found to be at 382-460mv range, brought back to 455mv. Better drive and upper treble, bass even tighter, vocals more clear, not recessed or foreword. Tambourines, bells and hi-hats are maturing. Music becoming more lively, plus good tempo and rhythm.

Finn Brothers opening track on CD is still very strong on deep bass, but more controlled and detailed. Still sort of weak in the treble considering the super tweeters are engaged.

3 hrs 11/18/09

1 hr 11/20/09

4 hrs 11/21/09

6-1/2 hrs 11/22/09
There may be a need to keep the system synergy and acoustics in balance with the changes brought on by the new tubes and resulting energy patterns.

6 hrs 11/23/09
Speaker tweak: I chose to change out materials under speaker spikes (from maple to bronze) on the rear spike for the different resonance and placed a composite grinding disk/cutting wheel under the front two spikes (resting on steel plate on custom sandbox on sprung wood floor). This also adjusted speaker angle to near vertical for good effect.

6-1/2 hrs 11/24/09
After three more listening sessions I am very happy with the sound, but moving ahead with more tweaks.

Turntable DIY modification: I took the time to perform a long planned turntable upgrade intended to increase bass and dynamics by removal of all rubbery things under the table.

TT link:
http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/showthread.php?p=113139#post113139

Acoustic Treatment: as mentioned before I unfortunately have a large CRT screen TV between the speakers. Draping a heavy wool blanket over the TV for serious listening is what I’ve done in the past. I have since carefully place pillows in front at the base and on top of the TV for even better affect. The pillow on top of the TV currently sits vertically on a bookend; face of pillow is currently five inches behind TV face.

7 hrs 11/27/09

7 hrs 11/28/09 (pre-bias #3) 52 hrs total

4-1/2 hrs 11/28/09 (not a typo, after bias #3 to 460 mv)
Across the board awesome. Treble zings and swings with the best. Midrange vocals are a bit thin and dry from what I was used to, but well balanced, certainly not syrupy or romantic. Bass is very tight and detailed. Dynamic impact on whole drum kit is very real. Good tone, rhythm, depth and soundstage. Ultra detail; plucking of guitar strings, cymbal hits, hi-hats, snare drums, sighs and breathed whisper of voices all add realism to the music which blows me away. CD’s are warm, LP’s succulent and seductive.

The formerly booming bass on the first track of the Finn Brothers CD and several resonating acoustic bass passages on Holly Coles’ Temptation CD are more controlled. No longer boomy, would have to classify as strong, deep and forceful, not overpowering. There may be some room acoustic issues at the frequencies in question but they are not being aggravated as in the past.

Tone inflections of solo singers, duet voices and choirs have distinct and clear separation of voices.

7-1/2 hrs 11/29/09

3 hrs 11/30/09

8 hrs 12/02/09

Strengths: many to list, however pure drive on songs like Seal’s “Killer” top the list followed by detail across the board.

Weakness: The fleshing out of vocal tones (mostly male) lags slightly behind all the other stellar aspects of these tubes. I’ve put on some Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, K.D. Lang, Holly Cole, Julie London, Sade and so forth, all rich in their own way and they do fine. Inflections and changes in tone that you never heard before might even be a bit distracting. However take some other rich voices like Morrissey, Brian Ferry and Duncan Sheik, the last bit of richness is a bit shallow at times.

Comments; I’m going to blame the recordings on some voices not fleshing out 100%, if it’s not there, it’s just not being added in. Not every singer is going to sound like an opera singer in the shower; I would not want it that anyway. However I think the trend of fleshing out certain voices on certain recordings is still in process and the sound is still maturing and getting better all the time.

Music CD:
Holly Cole/Temptation, Finn Brothers/Finn, Duncan Sheik/ Duncan Sheik, Shaun Covin/a few small repairs, Blue Tofu/Blue Toufu, Paula Cole/This Fire, Dead Can Dance/Toward The Within, K.D. Lang/Ingenue, Martin Sexton/Black Sheep, Concrete Blonde/BloodlettingJohnny Cash/Solitary Man, Seal/Seal, Dean Martin/Greatest Hits, Frank Sinatra, ……….and a bunch of other stuff.

Music LP vinyl:
Pink Floyd/The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd/Wish You Were Here, Emerson lake and Palmer/Lucky Man, Colour Box/ Colour Box , Julie London/Julie is Her Name, Brian Ferry/Another Time, Another Place, Gnarls Barkley/Crazy, Depeche Mode/Music for the Masses, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark/Crush, David + David/Boomtown, Robin Trower/Bridge of Sighs, Sinead O’Connor/The lion and the Cobra, The Who/Live at Leeds, David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust, Bob Enevoldsen/Quintet, Elton John/Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Talk Talk/The Colour of Spring, Sade/promise, Rickey Lee Jones/Chuck’s N’ Love, King Crimson/Young Person’s Guide, Mel Torme/That’s All, ……….and a bunch of other stuff.

My system in Martin Logan Forum:
http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=531

Some More Stereo Pics:
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x295/kach22i/Stereo/

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Product Weakness:

Weakness: The fleshing out of vocal tones (mostly male) lags slightly behind all the other stellar aspects of these tubes. I’ve put on some Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, K.D. Lang, Holly Cole, Julie London, Sade and so forth, all rich in their own way and they do fine. Inflections and changes in tone that you never heard before might even be a bit distracting. However take some other rich voices like Morrissey, Brian Ferry and Duncan Sheik, the last bit of richness is a bit shallow at times.

Product Strengths:

Strengths: many to list, however pure drive on songs like Seal’s “Killer” top the list followed by detail across the board.

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	Golden Tube SE-100
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	GRAAF WFB One
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Dual CS 503-1 modified
Speakers:	Martin Logan - Aerius
Cables/Interconnects:	Nordost - Blue Heaven
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Homemade
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 Weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Tripp-Lite
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

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