|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
82.201.177.181
I have perused the archives for all of the above tubes, and there is plenty of food for thought there. Still here goes:What do people think of these tubes? They would go into a Manley Snapper pair of monoblocks (4 per side). Speakers are Merlin VSM Millenniums.
1. Groove Tubes (also labeled Manley) EL-34-LS, these came with the amp and have about 2 years of use on them. I actually like the sound emanating from them. My set is distortion rated "4". Somewhat surprising coming from Manley. I am not sure if they voice their amps for this. I believe the tubes are made by JJ and are supposedly a GT exclusive modification of the JJ tube. They claim it also to have a greater power output.
2. SED Winged-C EL34: Seem to have quite a following. People's description of them as having a rich midrange if anything concerns me since I do also wish for good high frequency extension.
3. JJ KT77. Another tube with quite a following.
4. New Sensor sourced "Svetlana" EL34: I know these are from New Sensor's Reflector factory. I have already 4 of these from another amp and therefore would only have to add a matched quad. The Manley has individual tube bias making life somewhat easier. Having gone through the archives I am aware of the SED/New Sensor Svetlana trademark tussle.
5.What about the New Sensor "Mullard" reissue EL34? Are they very similar to their "Svetlana" tubes or was there some attempt to emulate the Mullard tubes?I listen to jazz and classical. High frequency extension and clarity is as important as a good midrange. I also tend to dislike an excessively warm "Tubey" sound.
Any input appreciated.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Follow Ups:
I'm in the same camp. Got new Snappers few months back, they are still using the GT tubes. I'm not happy with the tone at all - it is quite harsh and shouty. I love the big dynamics of the amp, but this is just too much, esp. flutes and solo piano high notes. I liked SED 6550s in my Cary, so Paul @ Manley says I could try 6CA7s as they are tetrode like 6550, but I can't run 6550s in the Snappers at 75ma, because B+ fused at 400ma. I am looking for much smoother midrange tubes than the GT.The 7044 driver is not making them sound harsh is it? Haziz, do your Snappers have 7044 or 5687? They used 5687 for a while when 7044 was out of stock. Is it worth swapping 7044 for 5687? Cheaper than trying sets of 8 output tubes! but EveAnna says in the manual that rolling the drivers 7044> 5687 won't make any difference in sound.
I liked the EH EL34s and presently have the GT EL34 LS in my Cary V12R. Neither one of these tubes are juicy. Both are very dynamic, with the GTs a touch more so. My Gts are 9s as selected and matched by GT. 7 to 9 are "hi fi grade".
...I have compared the EH 6CA7 big bottles, the SEDs, the GT Mullard copy. I also have the Valve Art big bottles that came with my amps, but frankly haven't compared them much. I prefer the EHs, even though people rave about the SEDs. For the kind of sound you are saying you like, I would really consider trying these. Couldn't hurt to see what Manley has to say about all of this.Haven't heard the JJs, though I am sure I will get around to that one of these days.
I find my SED EL34 to be much better than my reissuse Mullard in my amp.
Nicer midrange + better bass, just seem to have more life to them.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: