2. amps-preamps
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I need to replace my E34 tube on my Audio Aero Amp

I bought an Audio Aero Capitole amp on audiogon and recently I noticed quite the, for lack of a better description, feedback noise that would happen in my right channel shortly after powering up the amp.

I tried trading tubes from the left channel to the right and after much experimentation, I have isolated the problem to the E34 tube.

these are the tubes that came with the amp. They are 'JJs".

Question: are there better tubes? Can I use other brands or should I just stick with the same replacements?

Any suggestions, and a name of a distributor are appreciated.

thanks.
unclejeff
stevenkc
49 posts
 
I'm currently using the JJ's E34L blue tubes and am very happy with them on my VAC Avatar after comparing to EH and Golden Dragon (stock). The EH tubes were too warm for my taste and the soundstage narrowed significantly. The Golden Dragons were great and I would be just as happy keeping them, but the JJ E34L blue's have better bass extentsion and slightly better dynamics. That's why they are staying.

If you are happy with the sound with the E34L's and can isolate them to a particular (bad) tube, why not just go get a new pair? IMHO, short of spending the big bucks on NOS or other mega-dollar tubes, JJ is really a pretty good choice for the price. You can try either he regular JJ EL34's or the JJ blue E34L, with the latter being about $20 more for a match quad.

For reference, you can also get a back copy of the Valley Tube magazine (spelling?). I believe they had an issues specifically on EL34's.
sns
3,377 posts
 
Infinitebaffle is correct. I had been using the 'new' Svetlana's, recently switched to the SED's, harmonically richer, more transparent. SED's are the way to go.
thsalmon
348 posts
 
I agree with most of the above. Don't buy the current Svetlana/Sovteks. The "Winged C" brand Svetlanas are really good, especially if cryo'ed. I love the sound of NOS Mullards and Telefunkens, but the current asking prices are way too high! If you can find NOS RCA EL34s, get them. The "fat bottle" Ei EL34s (6CA7s) are a nice tube at a very reasonable price too.
unclejeff OP
1,313 posts
 
My Goodness;

I was wondering if I would b getting any replys at all...

This morning there were the first two. So, based on these, I put a call into Darryl at Digital Systems who is the Audio Aero factory approved repair-man.

He suggested Svetlana, but urged me to stay away from Sovtec.
I am hoping for a few more replys here but it looks like I am ready to take some copious notes and get myself on the phone.
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