Mullard EL34 that sounds best

@inna Mullard made a 10,000 hour EL34 FWIW. I've not seen one in 40 years or so.

I doubt you're interested, but if you were to try new EL34s, if it were me I'd be using one of the JJ types (they make two) or something from Psvane.

Considering how rare and expensive real Mullard EL34s are, I'd have a set of other EL34s on hand so when I'm not doing critical listening (my system is often on all day) I'm not wearing out expensive tubes.

Ralph, right, I will have my SEDs as a back up to use when not doing critical listening. My amp is usually on for about three hours a day on average.

I haven't heard about 10000 hours Mullard EL34, but I have heard about 5000 hours Mullard EL34.

Bought matched quad of XF2. Not new but test strong NOS, I see no reason not to believe the seller. I bet they will sound significantly better than SEDs.

atmasphere + 1

JJ tubes are built at former Tesla factory, which supplied tubes military/aviation etc.. in 80s Tesla EL34 were the best I’ve experienced, reliability performance etc. not surprised to see JJ tubes in Luxman designs, 3yr warranty is not easy to deliver!

Typ I order tubes and ask seller to make sure serial numbers are close, ideally from the same lot.. I haven’t seen drive mismatch issues even after 1000hr run!

Beware, in many cases like-new/new NOS "Mullard/Telefunken/etc" tubes are counterfeit-miss-labeled Chinese ones..

I have had good luck with JJ EL34 type 1.   Sound great.