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EL34 upgrade

I'm currently experimenting with my Jolida JD302B and various tubes. I have 3 makes and each are vastly different from each. In terms of preference I would order them as such: (1) Svetlana, (2) Sovtek, (3) Shuguang. They are all the budget versions. I am considering upgrading to either the SED Winged C or Gold Lion Reissue. So my question, is whether I would expect improvements to the preferred Svetlana? I have a pricepoint of $200 for a matched quad and not sure whether I need to go higher to really hear a difference. Also I'm sure I'm sure there are others, so please weigh them in as well.

-JerseyWalt
qclabrat_1
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
835 posts
 
Don't overlook the input tubes. I thought they had as much improvement as the power tubes for a lot less cash in my JD 1000, which is essentially a parallel version of your 302.
I asked McShane and he set me up.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
The Gold Lions no doubt about it.
ryriken's avatar
ryriken
164 posts
 
I like the 6ca7 RCA/Sylvania EL34 Fat Boy tubes in my VTL ST 85 amp. I also like the NOS Mullard/Holland El34 but big money for these, luckly i have 5 of these that test new, also 3 quads of the Fatboy tubes, all test new.........Never know when i'll need a spare.
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drrsutliff
862 posts
 
I have used the New Sensor Svetlana EL34, Tung Sol EL34B, Siemans EL34, and the Gold Lion KT77s. Comparing these to the SED EL34s (original pre New Sensor Svetlanas) I chose to return to the SED. The best of the others were the GL K77. The KT77 had better bass extension and drive, but lost the three dimensional soundstage that I enjoyed with the SED tubes. I found them to have a wide and flat soundstage in my system at that time. The Siemans were inherited and I have no idea how many hours they had on them, though they tested OK on my Hickock Cardmatic.
exocet954
98 posts
 
Consider the Gold Lion KT-66 tube. I used the EL34 for years and switched and OMG! huge soundstage! Analogtubes.com for $168./quad matched set...
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