Sometimes you have to adjust the bias to work with the new tubes. That makes them sound as close to NOS tubes without the high prices. Changing a cap or two can even take you past the NOS tube sound.
HappyListening.
HappyListening.
Are MULLARD NOS EL34s and LTA ZOTL40 REF worth the price of admission?
I'm considering giving an older Linear Tube Audio (LTA) ZOTL40 Ref amp an audition. LTA has a factory upgrade that includes upgrading to Mullard NOS EL34s for $800 (or less with additional discounts). I am wondering if quad set of old-stock Mullard EL34s are worth the $800 price of admission? I don't pretend to know what anyone else's budget is but $800 for quad EL34s seems like a lot. If I'm paying the premium, it better be across the board and not just improvements on chamber music or obscure Chinese opera (no offense intended). Does anyone have experience with either NOS Mullard tubes or LTA ZOTL40 Ref amp? If so, please chime in. Thanks.
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I bought the LTA Reference 40 earlier this year. It came with the NOS Mullards. It is the finest amp I've heard. A true giant killer. It is just stunning. As for the tubes there isn't a current production tube that can compare with the NOS Mullard EL34, which is one of the finest sounding audio power tubes to be produced. Those, combined with that David Berning circuit in the LTA, is just a match made in heaven. |
@ ghasley &
jjss49 +1 @ OP Have accumulated > 80 NOS EL34s over time, ever since my first tube amps ( back in the day, Marantz 2s), Mullards, Philips & Telefunkens. For beauty of tone I go with the Mullards especially the earlier 6 much more expensive Xf1 series. The winged Telefunkens being more neutral and extended with tighter bass are great also but missing those meaty mids. Philips appeares to me somewhere in between. If $ 800 seems too steep look into NOS Ultron brand EL34s, made in East Germany in the late 70´s/early 80´s and considerably cheaper. |
- 34 posts total