Wizard Modern Classic EL34 Tube Rolling

  • Thread starter Thread starter dead-pan
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dead-pan

dead-pan

Well-known member
I have always been happy with the JJ EL34s in the Wizard.

I rolled many of the EL34s I have in other amps lately so it's seems right to do it in the Wizard also.

Anyone have experience with this?

Will report soon.
 
I prefer the JJ e34l over the JJ el34s

I’ve tried a few other types including SED and EH and some Chinese. I think the differences are subtle. I just stick with the JJs as they’re cheap and that’s what Rick uses.

I do prefer Chinese high grade or 8th gen pres over the JJs. I use a sovtek LPS in the phase inverter.

The gold pin gold lions and RFTs sound good too, but more $

All that aside, you get more tonal variations with swapping speakers/cabs IMO
 
RedB4Black said:
I prefer the JJ e34l over the JJ el34s

I’ve tried a few other types including SED and EH and some Chinese. I think the differences are subtle. I just stick with the JJs as they’re cheap and that’s what Rick uses.

I do prefer Chinese high grade or 8th gen pres over the JJs. I use a sovtek LPS in the phase inverter.

The gold pin gold lions and RFTs sound good too, but more $

All that aside, you get more tonal variations with swapping speakers/cabs IMO
Click to expand...
I agree with most of this
 
Ive tried alot of different tubes in mine over the past 20 years. Not much difference other than the JJ6ca7’s, they really changed the bottom end and not in a good way. The very first set of EL34l’s blew right after I got the amp new. Got a different brand everytime after that. Never much difference. This last set a short time ago went back to the EL34L. Good enough. For preamp, mine only likes chinese which I run in everything pretty much anyway.
 
You’re going to think I’m crazy but Mesa tubes sound great in these amps . And the Sovtek LPS in v1 is killer
 
I'd consider either the Tung Sol or Mullard El34 RI.


I really like their El84 and 6V6 in regards to the Tung Sol RI vs JJ and I figure the El34s they make are better than any JJ too.


I figure even the regular Sovtek or EHC El34 are better too. Nvm the Svetlana ones........ you'd probably really want to consider those probably over even the Tung Sol ones.


Check out Viva Tubes, they match them and have some pretty good and competitive prices too and good selection.

https://www.vivatubes.com/6ca7/



They also have a sale going on right now too.



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Last edited:
Another one that is probably worth a look at are Psvane Black Plate El34.......



1000001887.jpg
 
Aren't the JJ E34Ls used because they're rated for the level of plate voltage a Wizard puts out?

I have a pair of Tungsols I could theoretically try in my MCII, but gonna wait for some folks to chime in here on their results first.
 
First thing to note. My Sovtek LPS went haywire in the phase inverter. I just pulled it from the Ecstasy working perfect. Tube was lighting blue with the top and bottom looking like lightning flashing. Was audible aslo.

First test for EL34s is Sovtek EL34g. Pretty nice. As mentioned before these seem to have a little less compression. I like them.
 
ners said:
Aren't the JJ E34Ls used because they're rated for the level of plate voltage a Wizard puts out?

I have a pair of Tungsols I could theoretically try in my MCII, but gonna wait for some folks to chime in here on their results first.
Click to expand...
Yep, that's what I remember reading 10 yrs back when I had a 2010 MC1 100w. That amp came with the JJ Ls, but I also tried Siemens, Winged Cs, and the GT EL 34LS....the Groove Tube LS is basically a JJ L but the heat wings are big like a Siemens 34. Those actually sounded best to my ears. Not made anymore, but you can find them from time to time on eBay for cheap.
Pre tubes, the MC1 liked all Chinese to my ears.
 
Racerxrated said:
Yep, that's what I remember reading 10 yrs back when I had a 2010 MC1 100w. That amp came with the JJ Ls, but I also tried Siemens, Winged Cs, and the GT EL 34LS....the Groove Tube LS is basically a JJ L but the heat wings are big like a Siemens 34. Those actually sounded best to my ears. Not made anymore, but you can find them from time to time on eBay for cheap.
Pre tubes, the MC1 liked all Chinese to my ears
Click to expand...
Tried New Mullard, Ruby BHT, JJ EL34LS, JJ, Svetlanna, Sovtek EL34g and the differences were in how the mids presented.

I could see liking the EL34LS as they were clear yet had weight. Mine are the blue bottle version.

I like the BHT in general and they sounded great in the amp. Very musical mids.

Overall, I felt the Wizard didn't respond to power tubes as much as other amps I have.
 
RedB4Black said:
I prefer the JJ e34l over the JJ el34s

I’ve tried a few other types including SED and EH and some Chinese. I think the differences are subtle. I just stick with the JJs as they’re cheap and that’s what Rick uses.

I do prefer Chinese high grade or 8th gen pres over the JJs. I use a sovtek LPS in the phase inverter.

The gold pin gold lions and RFTs sound good too, but more $

All that aside, you get more tonal variations with swapping speakers/cabs IMO
Click to expand...
Agree on speakers but I know those I have fairly well.

The response of the amp is effected by the tubes so this is generally big for me.
 
ners said:
Aren't the JJ E34Ls used because they're rated for the level of plate voltage a Wizard puts out?

I have a pair of Tungsols I could theoretically try in my MCII, but gonna wait for some folks to chime in here on their results first.
Click to expand...
Regarding voltage, as far as plate voltage, pretty much all modern el34 tubes are rated at 800v. With Wizard in the 450-500v range no problems. Unfortunately the screen voltage can be an issue. Alot are not rated even to 500v.
 
 
dead-pan said:
Good comparison.

Here are the version I have:
View attachment 401836
Click to expand...
Yep! Those are the ones. I tend to 'rate' my 34s with Siemens #1 (for what I like, searing mids), then vintage Mullard tied with Winged Cs(totally different sound, but they are my second tier) then the GT LS is 3rd Tier. I've only had a few experiences with Amperex, Tesla, Sylvania 6CA7s, and while great they didn't wow me like the Siemens, Wing C, Mullards so I didn't search any more out.
 
I notice very mild to no significant difference. Just swapped JJE34L in my HR to JJEL34II...essentially the same. I've swapped all kinds of tubes in various Wizards including Telsa brown base, =C=, and numerous other power tubes and preamp tubes...not significant enough to bother for me. Same with most amps, not just Wizards. I buy JJ because they're available, cheap, and I've had great luck in terms of reliability with JJ.
 
MetalHeadMike said:
I notice very mild to no significant difference. Just swapped JJE34L in my HR to JJEL34II...essentially the same. I've swapped all kinds of tubes in various Wizards including Telsa brown base, =C=, and numerous other power tubes and preamp tubes...not significant enough to bother for me. Same with most amps, not just Wizards. I buy JJ because they're available, cheap, and I've had great luck in terms of reliability with JJ.
Click to expand...
The JJEL34II sceens are only rated for 450volts. Might want to check what the HR screen voltage is.
 
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