el34 cryo'd tubes

Thor:

Due to Svetlana USA "possibly" labeling various EL34's (ones produced by different factories and perhaps even different companies) with the Svetlana namesake (this info comes from various user/owner posts on the WWW) feedback on "Svetlana" EL34's is going to be a bit confusing from now on, granted that this info is correct.

Forget the location of the original Svetlana Factory (St. Petersburg maybe)?

Anyway, it would be best to confirm what the tubes being compared actually are, otherwise you may end up comparing Sovtek/Reflector or whoever it is who produces EL34's in Russia to the original Svet EL34's.

Sorry no knowledge of cryo treatment, though I was impressed with the sound of the stock Svet EL34's being sold approx. 3 years ago (similar tonal balance to Mullard XF1's and XF2's in a Jolida 302). Think the tubes we tried may have had a "C" in a circle or something like that on them (unless I am confusing them with the Svet 300B's I once used). I have a lousy visual memory.

Dekay: Thanks good point. I am generaly very happy with the Svetlanas I am presently using but have seen Tube World praising there EL 34 Svets' cro'd (at $165 a quad) and have been tempted,but haven't heard quite enough feedback yet...
Thanks again Thorman

Thor:

I just refreshed my memory (WWW search:-) and yes, the original Svet's had a "C" logo. Triode Electronics sells the original "C" tubes (no longer branded "Svetlana") for $60/matched quad. From what else I have read people are having cables cryo'd for as little as $10/lb.

If curious and the $165 is an obstacle perhaps see if a less expensive tube dealer (such as Triode) will forward your purchase directly to a cryo facility with the tubes then being returned to you following treatment?

You may not save much, if any, on S/H, but less time/distance in transit is always desirable with larger tubes.

Kind of OT, but for $165 if my amp did not require closely matched output tubes (most do not) I would put together a good used quad of Mullard XF1's or XF2's from Ebay. Great sound and if they are 90% test, or so, they should last for many years in some circuits.

There is another tube dealer Jim McShane (sp) with a vintage Harmon Kardon site who I think may now offer cryo service @ reasonable prices (not certain though) and maybe even Triode offers such (have not really looked into cryo much).

Dekay Thanks, good info ,gives me something to think about.