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Looking for help retubing Cary V12R mono blocks

I've been running SED C el34s in my V12's for almost 10 years ( yes, way to long, but total hours were not too crazy) and a number of the power tubes have finally given up the ghost. I would like to find a power tube that will get as close to the original SED C el34's as possible. A couple of years ago I retubed with GL KT77's, but I just never liked how they sounded in this amp. Dynamic, yes, but flat soundstage and not involving after about 100hr's burn in. When I put the SED's back in,the"music" was back. Sound stage expanded in all directions with excellent layering and a dense visceral, textured presentation.... Tight, but "wet" bass presentation and sweet mids with good transcients/transparency. Since the SED's are not an option any more, what current production tubes have you tried, compared the SED's, that might work given my prior experiences ? As I need 24 tubes, NOS are not going to be an option. How does your pick compare to the SED's? - Thanks, Jim
Mullard el34 reissues?
Tung Sol el34B's?
GL KT 66's ?
??????

jim94025
jim94025 OP
57 posts
 
mikirob, have you compared the GL KT66's directly with the SED's? If so, what are their differences?

mikirob
955 posts
 
Sorry Jim,
I have not made that comparison. I also liked the Shuguang Black Treasure 6CA7s, but that gets expensive. Best, mikirob
johnss
570 posts
 
Have the same amp, I installed new sets of the Mullard re-issue EL34s, very musical sounding tube.

if you like a more open top end, may want to consider the EH 6CA7 Fat bottles. Nice tubes.


decooney
1,980 posts
 
I was kind of thinking about replacing my Ruby EL34BSTR tubes just to try something else in the V-12R, then a local dealer friend with the same amp at home recommended I keep trying different front-end tubes to realize a bigger change, and perhaps he was right. I learned the Ruby’s are well matched apparently "made by shaugang/sino in china"; not a bad tube at all, reasonably affordable too. Sounds nice and full and a tad warm, but not too warm. Quite a few musicians who run their guitar amps for sustained periods really like them too; a thread for reference on that front FWIW; http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/ruby-el34-matched-power-tubes

re: front end tubes first
I kept at the front-end tubes instead of replacing the El34 Rubys -
Ended up with some NOS 12BZ7 and EL84 front end tubes, and glad I kept at this for a while to get it right. I’m fine with them overall, but keep researching because that’s what we do, can’t leave well enough alone :)
I may still try a different power tube set just to see or as a backup set.  Gonna do other upgrades first. 

re: Jim McShane,
Then, I started thinking I’d just get a set of the new Mullards, and i reached and Jim McShane sent me this note, quote: "Now, on to your tube needs…The best EL34 family tube out there now is the Genalex (Gold Lion) KT-77. They are every bit as good (many say better than) the old stock British made tubes. I can provide (2) matched sextets of Genalex KT-77s...", unquote. 

Next:
this week we’ll be recapping with the newer Mundorf EVO Silver/Golds (non-oil) this time, plus added hexfreds, some bypass caps. Can’t wait to see how it sounds.

The V-12R is fun.

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