Best current EL34 tubes

Winged SED I agree with.

The EH EL34s perhaps are next along with the JJ KT77s.

If you buy the Winged "C"(which I would also recommend): be certain they are the newer ones(from the St Petersburg plant) and not someone's older stock. You won't find a more dependable seller than Upscale. Check out his test/burn-in procedures(listed here): (http://www.upscaleaudio.com/product.asp?itemid=63&catid=86)

I own a hybrid that right now has stock Chinese EL34s. I would like to upgrade. To that end, I found this post but I'd like to ask about the intent of Mrtennis 5-13-08 post. Not trying to be a provocateur but is that sarcasm? irony? The qualities listed seem desirable. Mrtennis, do you have a recommendation?

My amp came with JJ's. How would/do they compare with Winged "C"'s?

I've had some bad luck with the SED winged tubes over the last 18 months, and have 2 go in my Marantz 8, One took a resistor with it.