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What do you think are the best current production vacuum tubes?

So back to the Mullard EL 34. If I just want to replace the power tubes in my Boyuurange MT 34? Just want to upgrade sound quality a notch from the basic Chinese tubes that came with it.
 
33RPMThorens said:
So back to the Mullard EL 34. If I just want to replace the power tubes in my Boyuurange MT 34? Just want to upgrade sound quality a notch from the basic Chinese tubes that came with it.
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you mean real mullards or russian tubes with the word "mullard" printed on them?
 
mullard was a british tube manufacturer that shut down some time in the 70s.

their tubes are part of the famous "marshall sound" and were widely used in hifi. they are considered warm sounding. the real mullard EL34 are very expensive and very desireable tubes for both hifi and guitar amp.

years ago electro harmonix/new sensor acquired the names mullard, tung sol and genalex and started branding their tubes with those names. current production mullard have nothing to do with real mullard tubes.

im not sure what are the favored current production EL34, but the current production mullard tubes are popular.
 
ceylon said:
mullard was a british tube manufacturer that shut down some time in the 70s.

their tubes are part of the famous "marshall sound" and were widely used in hifi. they are considered warm sounding. the real mullard EL34 are very expensive and very desireable tubes for both hifi and guitar amp.

years ago electro harmonix/new sensor acquired the names mullard, tung sol and genalex and started branding their tubes with those names. current production mullard have nothing to do with real mullard tubes.
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So the Russian Mullards are not that impressive?
 
33RPMThorens said:
The current production Mullard, I am a dullard, I know little of Mullard. Educate me please.
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This video might interest you. If you are short on time, skip to 14:00.

Mullard tubes made in Blackburn have been considered the gold standard for many decades because they came standard with a lot of equally famous devices, and performed in both sound quality and reliability. This includes the ST-70 that I understand you're looking to build. The majority of ST-70s came stock with Mullard EL-34 tubes, and GZ34 rectifier (7199s were usually RCA / Sylvania).

Add to the list Leak, Quad, Heathkit, Marantz, Marshall, Vox, Hiwatt, etc. and you get the idea - part of the legend of these devices is a result of the sound and reliability of Mullard tubes they came equipped with.

If you watch the video above you'll see that the mechanical construction of tubes was akin to modern CPU or computer component foundries in terms of precision. Cathode coatings, emissive oxides, and barium getters were the semiconductor doping tech of their age - proprietary, closely guarded, and central to performance. The components they shipped were going to be the backbone of modern technology at the time, and they took it extremely seriously.

A couple of tips before watching the video - tubes is a US term, valve or thermionic valve in the UK. Mica is mentioned a lot, it is a naturally occurring rock-forming mineral that grows in crystal sheet-like layers of silicate that easily break into flat and flexible flakes. Stable under vacuum, chemically inert, electrically non-conductive, and works as the scaffolding / skeleton of most tubes. Without good mica construction you get sagging, shifting, vibration (microphonics) so you'll often see it referenced.

As a historian part of my fascination with tubes is that every single component in the design was shaped by human hands, local people who worked at the factory, had families and lives in a time far off. This was automation while still on a human level.
 
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I have three sets of quad EL-34's; Svetlana EL-34 from around 2000, Electro-Harmonix (EH) EL-34 and Shuguang EL-34B that are newer and only a few years old.

They all measure similarly in an HF-87 on the test bench. They also all sound very good in listening tests. I can't tell a difference when listening, at least not in an amp with feedback. All tubes are well broken in but still have low hours.

I mainly use the Shuguang EL-34B's to see how long they will last and have the others for standby duty, but do swap them in from time to time.
 
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Even Magnavox used Mullard tubes in there console stereos.
The Magnavox 9303 EL84 amp I have had Magnavox branded Mullard tubes in it. I still have three of the four Mullard EL84's. One went gassy.
They were used in a lot of gear back then for sure.
 
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albusark said:
This video might interest you. If you are short on time, skip to 14:00.

Mullard tubes made in Blackburn have been considered the gold standard for many decades because they came standard with a lot of equally famous devices, and performed in both sound quality and reliability. This includes the ST-70 that I understand you're looking to build. The majority of ST-70s came stock with Mullard EL-34 tubes, and GZ34 rectifier (7199s were usually RCA / Sylvania).

Add to the list Leak, Quad, Heathkit, Marantz, Marshall, Vox, Hiwatt, etc. and you get the idea - part of the legend of these devices is a result of the sound and reliability of Mullard tubes they came equipped with.

If you watch the video above you'll see that the mechanical construction of tubes was akin to modern CPU or computer component foundries in terms of precision. Cathode coatings, emissive oxides, and barium getters were the semiconductor doping tech of their age - proprietary, closely guarded, and central to performance. The components they shipped were going to be the backbone of modern technology at the time, and they took it extremely seriously.

A couple of tips before watching the video - tubes is a US term, valve or thermionic valve in the UK. Mica is mentioned a lot, it is a naturally occurring rock-forming mineral that grows in crystal sheet-like layers of silicate that easily break into flat and flexible flakes. Stable under vacuum, chemically inert, electrically non-conductive, and works as the scaffolding / skeleton of most tubes. Without good mica construction you get sagging, shifting, vibration (microphonics) so you'll often see it referenced.

As a historian part of my fascination with tubes is that every single component in the design was shaped by human hands, local people who worked at the factory, had families and lives in a time far off. This was automation while still on a human level.
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Thank you, this seems so cool! Will check out the video.
 
THD+N said:
I have three sets of quad EL-34's; Svetlana EL-34 from around 2000, Electro-Harmonix (EH) EL-34 and Shuguang EL-34B that are newer and only a few years old.

They all measure similarly in an HF-87 on the test bench. They also all sound very good in listening tests. I can't tell a difference when listening, at least not in an amp with feedback. All tubes are well broken in but still have low hours.

I mainly use the Shuguang EL-34B's to see how long they will last and have the others for standby duty, but do swap them in from time to time.
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This is good to know. I have zero experience with tube rolling and want to do it once, so helpful.
 
This was just the type of thread I was looking for. As a person who has never used el84 types I could use some solid advice on reissues or specific NOS Soviets.

I need a quad for the Tubes4Hifi version ST35 power amp. The board looks identical to the ANK el84 integrated kit. I have a 2nd hand Completed ST35 kit amp & an unpopulated PCB being shipped right now. Driver tubes I have but no experience with the el84 types. I need to order some ASAP. I'll avoid the usual expensive NOS suspects til I decide what I think about the amp.

Side note..I really liked the Mesa Boogie GZ34 rectifier in my ST70 & Icon Audio preamp. Completely different than the Mullards but in a good way.
I was about to roll the dice & try the Mesa el84's. Has anyone ever tried the Groove Tubes el84?
 
Mybig8ohm said:
This was just the type of thread I was looking for. As a person who has never used el84 types I could use some solid advice on reissues or specific NOS Soviets.

I need a quad for the Tubes4Hifi version ST35 power amp. The board looks identical to the ANK el84 integrated kit. I have a 2nd hand Completed ST35 kit amp & an unpopulated PCB being shipped right now. Driver tubes I have but no experience with the el84 types. I need to order some ASAP. I'll avoid the usual expensive NOS suspects til I decide what I think about the amp.

Side note..I really liked the Mesa Boogie GZ34 rectifier in my ST70 & Icon Audio preamp. Completely different than the Mullards but in a good way.
I was about to roll the dice & try the Mesa el84's. Has anyone ever tried the Groove Tubes el84?
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Russian 6P14P-EV tubes are well respected. Haven't bought any in a long time, so not sure of the current availability.

New production-wise, the only EL84 type tubes I've ever tried are Gold Lion and Tube Store branded 7189s. Both have worked and sounded fine to me.
 
When a person says best tubes, it really depends on what the definition of best is and the application or amp they will be used in. Some of the PSVANE and Shuguang tubes are really great sounding but can have a lot of problems with ELFs. If your amp runs B+ anywhere near the tube spec limit then pass on the Chinese tubes. All you will end up with is fireworks.

The Russian made tubes can sound very good and are much more robust than anything made in China.

For those who go all out, the US made Tungsol and GE tubes and UK made Gold lions are tough to beat but will thin out your wallet very fast.
 
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