Your Fav EL34 and why?

Albertporter

Thanks for the link but I can’t see it well enough to make anything of it. Sorry.

So given the bias point I mentioned and aside from the “subjective or supposed” voice of the particular tube, I should get those that are intrinsically best run at that bias point?

My own particular application is for the Gary Dodd 120 mono blocks this time ‘round. Thinking this tube is wired in several configurations, triode, tettrode and is a pentode tube anyways, the thought of better selection of the tube by it’s bias setting in the application, over it’s inherent ‘sound’ had truly not been a consideration to this point. In fact I’m plain ignorant of making a tube choice based solely that way. I’ve nothing against it either. Just never came to mind thinking all the EL 34s had at least some tolerance to the voltages applied to them, regardless the configuration; Triode, tet, or pent.

Practically speaking, I doubt Mullard NOS' are in my future given what I've seen of just one outlets pricing for them. I'll not discount your info however and as this thread is about ANY EL 34s, past or present, I'm grateful for the insights and your choice (s).

Well Jim, it turns out the same new production tube (and available for cheap price) is the same one I recommended earlier in this thread. The Tesla E34L.

Gary Dodd lives about 15 minutes from me and has told me face to face on more than one occasion that the Tesla was his favorite too.

This is in line with my own experiences. I had four Dodd mono blocks on my Dali Megalines and listened with both Mullard and Tesla. The Tesla is a great match for the Dodd amps. I still prefer Mullard EL34 but you can follow whatever makes you happy and fits your need. Just making suggestions as you requested.

If you want an explanation of why and how bias can effect the sound of tubes give Gary a call. He understands this very well. He is a very bright designer.

You ask for suggestions and I made a few.

Sorry the link to JPEG of tube bias data is not clear enough for you to view. It's OK on my screen.

Albert
your incredible. the info you supply is super. I am indeed glad to get it. Whatever you may infuse is fine by me completely.

The part about the biasing points being significant is as well. I had thought only so far as plate voltages for selecting tubes in the past... being dependant upon the design topologies application. Ex. don't want a 6sn7 with 275 plate V in a config requiring 450 v to be applied... and there are different 6sn7 itterations designed with various volt. specs... albeit, diferent eras of construction, ie., 231, CBS, GT, GTTA, GTB, etc.

I'll indeed follow up on the EL 34 querry to Gary right soon, with any luck at all mine will be here unscathed by the shipper this week. ...and yep... I'm excited. Definitely I'm also reassured to hear from yourself as well about the abilities of Gary, and the amps performance too. Especially the latter. Never having heard them before.

Moving on... any other EL 34 itterations capable of making the roll call?

How about the preformance diffs between the KT77s and EL 34s?

Anyone?

Hey Jim, for my Dodds, my preferences fall like this: Best are the SED Winged "C"s, then the JJ KT-77s, and finally the JJ E34Ls. I haven't tried other EL34s on my monos. The SEDs have a better, more organic midrange compared to the KT-77s, while the KT-77s have better extension than either. I also thought the KT-77s had a better midrange than the JJ E34Ls. Just my 2 cents...

You gonna have fun with 'dem amps!

Not surprised by 1markr comments.

Although Gary recommended the JJ Tesla E34L, the SED is the second tube I mentioned in my post, almost identical ideas about what's good.

I have not heard the new JJ KT77's, they are probably excellent, perhaps Gary has tested them by now and can offer an opinion.

The original KT77 Genelex is the best sounding and best built. I have them in my Aesthetix Io but they are not a practical choice for the Dodd amps, due to the quantity required and cost.