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EL34s -- your picks for best?

I recently replaced my JJ El34's with a set of NOS Siemens. Amazing difference.

To summarize, the differences were clarity in the upper frequencies, also presentation of the upper frequencies, general clarity, mid-range smoothness, bass speed and punch, and many improvements in the soundstage. For example, the depth and width improvements were obvious from the moment I put the Siemens tubes in. Also, timbre and air improved. I guess my conclusion is that everything improved substantially.

I keep the JJ's for casual listening, like when I listen to cd's while doing housework. But when I want to really listen, I put the Siemens tubes in and spin a record.

My system: VPI Mark IV, Alphason HRS-100, Alpha Genesis 1000 (I am saving for having my Koetsu Black re-done), Micromega Stage 3 cd, Fisher 400c or Dynaco Pas-3x (modified), Dynaco ST70 (modified), 1960's Sherwood FM tuner, Kef 102 Reference speakers (I am saving for a pair of Quad ESL-63's), Kimber 4TC bi-wired speaker cables, various interconnects, including 0.5m Krell Silver from amp to pre-amp. The cartridge is wired directly to the pre-amp via Cardas tonearm wire -- I replaced the tonearm wire with it and made it long enough to connect directly to the pre-amp. It is shielded, of course.

I was surprised at how much better the NOS power tubes sounded over the current production ones. Granted, I know that JJ EL34's are cheapies; but this much of a difference?

I am interested in anyone's experiences with EL34's in their system. Either comparing NOS to current production tubes, or with comparing different brands of NOS, or current production tubes amongst each other.

I have been told by a fellow Audiogoner to try the Winged C EL34's because he considers them to be the best sounding current production ones. I trust his judgement; he has a lot of experience, and golden ears, but I would like to also hear about more experiences with EL34's.

I really was (pleasantly) surprised with the differences the Siemens NOS tubes made. I have posted about my observations in the past with the differences between some 12ax7's. I also found the differences startling!

Thanks!
bicycle_man
trelja
3,223 posts
 
For what it's worth, I like the JJ E34L best of current manufacture, and am more than happy with them in my ST70. Surprisingly, though I have far more expensive and highly regarded amplifiers laying around, my Dynaco is providing me the most fun I've had in audio, and in my second system, no less.

I can understand why some would prefer the Winged C, EH, or even the Shuguang EL34B (which I have been told are actually the Sino/Shuguang KT77 that some folks absolutely lust after), as the JJ E34L can be less "even handed" or complete from top to bottom than another, but those stunningly glorious mids of the JJ do it for me. But, as I like to say, that's why they make vanilla AND chocolate.

That being said, a couple of years ago, we did a tube shootout, and across the board, the 1960s Mullard XF1 EL34 could not be equaled by any new production tube.
rodman99999
6,159 posts
 
Hi again Mr B- Siemens and Tele are two different companies, but their presentation is very similar. German manufacture seems to produce a more linear/less colored sound than most others, and some systems will seem too lean/cold with them. That could have something to do with your preference of mixing some warmth(the BBs and 10Ms) with the Siemens outputs you're using.
bicycle_man OP
100 posts
 
Hi Rodman,
That's interesting. It could be.

With the JJ's in the amp, I had the same preferences. Although mine are EL34's, and not E34L's. I think they are two different models.

I felt that the bass was cleaner and more palpable with the Siemens. I know that statement should be qualified with stating the fact that the ST70 is poor with bass performance. I also found there was more upper octave detail coming through with them compared to the JJ's. I will pay more attention to the midrange on further comparison. My initial thoughts were that it was smooth.

By the way, my cartridge, which is also considered to be lean is wired directly into a step-up transformer, and not directly into the pre-amp.
rodman99999
6,159 posts
 
Ah, yes- The Source! Then there are the tubes in the Fisher pre-amp. How old/what brand are those? Replacement there with NOS Amperex could transform your system. In fact- A newer phono stage, or upgrading the caps/resistors in your existing one(are you using the Fisher phono input?) could well be in order.
bicycle_man OP
100 posts
 
Hi Rodman,
I am using Bugle Boy 12ax7's in the phono stage, a pair of Sylvania 12at7's in what I presume is the line stage, a 7025 the I cleaned off long ago and therefore don't know the brand, and it has a single Bugle Boy 12at7 on th right side in front. The BB's in the phono stage were NOS. The ubes all test well, and are not excessively hissy.

I replaced the original Wima caps with some polystyrenes that I had on hand. The Wimas were dead. I don't know the brand of the polystyrenes; they are new ones that I had left over from engineering school. I probably could gain sound quality by replacing them with higher quality ones.

Apart from the very expensive teflon V-caps and Audio Note caps, what is your preference for signal caps? Have you heard Mundhorfs?
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