Thank you bdp24. Some very interesting details.
Classic el34 tube amps versus current models
does anyone have direct listening experience on how the classic el34 tube amps of my youth (marantz 8b, dynaco stereo 70', conrad johnson mv45) compare sonically to the current el34 amps? i have seen some of theses older units for sale and have considered buyin one. i am in the market for a 2k -3k amp and saw an old marantz 8b in that price range.
i am a sucker for midrange and soundstage and listen to alot of female vocals. my speakers are original rogers ls3/5a and proac tablettes, both of which love the el34s. i am inbetween amps right now, buthave recovered from a financial setback so i am back in the market
i am a sucker for midrange and soundstage and listen to alot of female vocals. my speakers are original rogers ls3/5a and proac tablettes, both of which love the el34s. i am inbetween amps right now, buthave recovered from a financial setback so i am back in the market
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Desktopguy, I can relate to your el 34 in triode mode experience. My el 34 is switchable and I preferred the triode sound with my speakers. If was this enlightening discovery that led to curiosity regarding true DHT (directly heated triode) tubes. I took the chance and bought a 300b SET amplifier, immediately after powering them up the first time I realized that there was no going back. The sound quality, pure transparency and natural tone took a giant step upward. Its been more than 7 years of utter satisfaction with the SET in my system. Charles |
It's also been a few years since I last listened to an EL34-based CJ amp & my recollection is in line with yours. It was an integrated amp & delivered terrific midrange but had rolled off highs & lows. While that sound is not atypical w/ EL34 power tubes I thought the CJ amp was a bit too focused on the mids at the expense of the highs & lows. My current set up consists of a PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium integrated amp & Spendor S3/5 speakers. So far I've only used EL34's in the amp but it can also take KT88's, KT120's & KT150's. The PrimaLuna can run in triode & ultra-linear modes, & using the latter setting w/ EL34's provides my small Spendors w/ plenty of power & punch. Of course, these monitors don't have a ton of bass, but I've found the DiaLogue Premium S3/5 combo to deliver great midrange w/o sacrificing the highs & lows like the CJ. |
I do remember some of that old CJ stuff. But for me, if I can truly remember that far back, it was just a little too warm. To me they had a pronounced mid-bass hump, and a little thin in the area of true bass. And as I recall they weren't the most transparent either. I notice there's an affordable Australian made Melody EL34 amp being sold by a chap up in Canada. Melody is known for building things the way they used to, like tanks. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-melody-el34-dark-integrated-amplifier-2016-12-05-integrateds-... |
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