Mullard EL34 that sounds best

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)

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

@atmasphere ​​​​@oddiofyl , I’ll keep that in mind as sooner or later I am going to need a dozen of them. (I know someone who swears by the JJ 12ax7s, and I did put JJ 6sn7s in my preamp and I think they sound okay.) Anyway, any suggestions on who does a good job of matching them?

On edit:  I see that JJ has KT77s out, I wonder how they are?

And as far as type I and type II, I see a set they are specifically calling EL34s type II and the rest are just EL34s, so are the ones that are called EL34s the type I?

And as far as type I and type II, I see a set they are specifically calling EL34s type II and the rest are just EL34s, so are the ones that are called EL34s the type I?

@inna  as best I can make out the difference is how much plate Voltage they can handle. I'd stick with the regular EL34 on that account. 

CE Distribution does matched pairs but the thing about matching if you want it done right is to use a curve tracer (i don't know if CE uses one or not). Most 'matched' tubes I've seen are matched on a tube tester which only gives you a static match. A curve tracer will give a match right up to full power.

This thread is about noble original vintage tubes. Not necessarily only Mullard.

Talking about modern tubes here would be like talking about cassette decks in a reel-to-reel thread. And some cassette decks sound quite good, I've got one. But even the best of them are quite far from serious open reel decks.

@inna How are those old stock Mullard EL34 xf2’s sound in your VAC? Better than your SED’s?

Mullards XF2s are in my VAC Avatar SE. I'll give them a burn in time of a few dozen hours. But it's clear right away that they are far superior to SEDs in every respect. The most striking difference is how well they present the performing space, how at the same time the sound is more coherent and instrument separation is much better. Drums don't jump out of the speakers and Miles's trumpet doesn't scream in my face. Well, I exaggerated a little, SEDs are not bad. And overall, very sophisticated sound with depth and grace.