soundmotor
super modified
I never knew the Siemens EL34 were available any way other than with a dimple top as that's the only way I've ever seen them. Thanks for the info!
Your Favorite EL34 or Equivelent Power Tube
- Thread starter AudioSoul
- Start date
I never knew the Siemens EL34 were available any way other than with a dimple top as that's the only way I've ever seen them. Thanks for the info!
in some amps you can run 6bg6 (need adapters); very detailed
Due caution must be exercised here. The 6BG6G is really just a repurposed 6L6G but optimized for TV sweep service. It has revised basing, a plate cap and most versions include additional ceramic insulators for the plate. It also carries a 20W plate rating compared to 25W for EL34.
At the end of Sylvania/Phillips ECG tube production, they produced a version of the 6BG6GA (tubular envelope) whose innards were the same as their 6L6GC/5881/7581A/7027A. This specific 6BG6GA will take 35W w/o red plating. These are the 6BG6s to get if one wants to fearlessly roll them into EL34 apps
Depends on the amp. I took a quick look at the datasheet. They're rated for high voltage and nearly (not quite) as much power as an EL34, but their screen grids are delicate in terms of power and voltage. It appears they were meant for use with a separate, much lower screen supply voltage. That was common in TVs, less so in audio.
You could probably make them work with caution but it does not appear they're just an "EL34 in a different bottle".
EDIT: considering Steve O's post, you can probably treat them like 6L6s and the screens being unusually delicate may be suggested by the datasheet because of how they were expected to be used. With that said, regular 6L6s have their own limitations which might not always work in place of EL34
You could probably make them work with caution but it does not appear they're just an "EL34 in a different bottle".
EDIT: considering Steve O's post, you can probably treat them like 6L6s and the screens being unusually delicate may be suggested by the datasheet because of how they were expected to be used. With that said, regular 6L6s have their own limitations which might not always work in place of EL34
Mullard xf series first. Sylvania big bottle 6CA7's second.
The 35W version was part of Phillips/ECGs last run for military in late 80s. These were packaged in generic white boxes with type designation, date of mfg, contract #, etc plainly printed on the outside. Printing on the tube itself is usually green or blue. The internal structure is typical grey (not black) Sylvania 6L6.
One of the big sellers of these was Mike Marx of SND Tubes. Don’t know if he’s still around.
Another possible test would be to set up a power supply and apply appropriate power to tube elements till either red plating occurs or 35W is reached. Those that get to 35W w/o red plating are the good ones. Note that this method requires more than typical tube tester and that there is some risk involved.
One of the big sellers of these was Mike Marx of SND Tubes. Don’t know if he’s still around.
Another possible test would be to set up a power supply and apply appropriate power to tube elements till either red plating occurs or 35W is reached. Those that get to 35W w/o red plating are the good ones. Note that this method requires more than typical tube tester and that there is some risk involved.
triode17
Super Member
Cold War (pre-90's) East German RFTs. Got a matched quad years ago and they sound great, are reliable and they wear at the same rate.
primosounds
Powered with pure tube sounds.
I was on an EL34 binge early on, going from Dynaco, to EICO, Scott 296, RM12, Quicksilver 190. But then i got an MFA M75 and the 6550/KT88 family of tubes (Beam Pentodes) were sounding sooo goood. Then feeling that something better might be out there switched from panel speakers up to high efficiency and single ended amps of my own making. Sound quality is very pure and natural. No audible artifacts, haze around notes, or glassiness. In single ended pentode amps the beam pentodes (6l6 et. al.) sound better than the el34 pentode. My amps can play any of those types or power tubes.
soundmotor
super modified
Did you mean the Scott 272? That used EL34s, the 296 used 7581As.
In the case of my Dyna ST70 that was certainly my impression when I put 6L6GCs in it. Still I have a soft spot for the EL34 though, they can sound great too.
primosounds
Powered with pure tube sounds.
Right you are . The 272. Rebuilding the 272 is like the longest rebuild i have ever done. And i think skipped the phono stage because the guy was not using lps.
baretta
Active Member
In my Marshall amps the regular JJ EL34. They sound great. And they seem to last a long time. I get them from https://www.tubedepot.com/
Mullard Xf2s. Single or double. I hear no difference between them. Best I've used. I need hardy tubes because my Bell carillon 6060 runs tubes very hot. Even slight plating is normal in the pitch dark. So I can't go with anything cheap. Best I've used so far as far as durability and amazing sound is the original Mullard Xf2s. Don't care if they're single or double as I said, but i like the models that end around 1968. They're more durable and can take more heat. Dark brown/black bases. Not the black bases.
