EL34-comparison: JJ vs Tung-Sol vs SED

[lordriffenstein]

I have the JJ E34Ls in my power amp and have been using them for some time now mainly because they were recommended by the manufacturer and because I liked them in this amp.

I have the SEDs in my 2 Marshalls but decided to give them a shot in the power amp as well. As I was ordering the SEDs, I decided to get a quad of TungSol EL34Bs so I could compare them.

I have been playing the JJs for the past 3 years and did a test with the others the past couple of days. I biased them all around 30mA, seems to be a good setting in this power amp.

The JJs have a big low end and sometimes I feel they aren´t the most tightest tubes. Overall, I would say they are a darker sounding power tube.

The TungSols are different animals and are on the other side of the spectrum compared to the JJs. The low end is tight and plenty and it stays tight even at high volumes. These are VERY articulate sounding and have plenty of highs. I had to lower the highs on my preamp just a bit. They really crunch hard and the mids sound very open. I think these would not be the best candidates for plexi-style amps as the highs and mids could be to much for that circuit. I bet they will sound great in darker sounding amps like my JMP Bass. Also, for more modern amps like a Recto, they could be the ticket to even out the sound.

The SEDs seem to be everybody´s favorite and for a good reason. I have them in my 50watters and really dig them in there. And they are sounding stellar in my power amp as well. The low end seems bigger than the TungSols but unlike the JJs, it stays tight. The highs are less and a touch smoother than the TungSols but the SEDs have the nicest midrange of them all. It´s hard to describe but the midrange is just right, smooth but rich sounding, not harsh but you know it will cut through easily.

I´ll try the TungSols in my JMP Bass next week to see how they work in there!

Yoeri

 

[Vrad]

So I love the SED's. Always have, but they're so damn expensive now that I'm looking for cheaper alternatives. I was going to try the JJ EL34's (not the E34Ls). Have you ever tried them Yoeri?

 

[lordriffenstein]

So I love the SED's. Always have, but they're so damn expensive now that I'm looking for cheaper alternatives. I was going to try the JJ EL34's (not the E34Ls). Have you ever tried them Yoeri?

Nope, never tried them. I hear they are less dark than the E34Ls so they might be the ticket.
I just found out that the TungSols might need to be biased warmer so I´m thinking of popping them back into the power amp for another try. But that´ll have to wait untill after Christmas, there´s a bunch of booze waiting for my attention

 

[Vrad]

So I love the SED's. Always have, but they're so damn expensive now that I'm looking for cheaper alternatives. I was going to try the JJ EL34's (not the E34Ls). Have you ever tried them Yoeri?

Nope, never tried them. I hear they are less dark than the E34Ls so they might be the ticket.
I just found out that the TungSols might need to be biased warmer so I´m thinking of popping them back into the power amp for another try. But that´ll have to wait untill after Christmas, there´s a bunch of booze waiting for my attention

Yeah I think the EL34B's are 30 watts...

Hee hee.. Booze... I need to get me some...

 

[shreder75]

you've heard the JJs vrad =)

 

[Vrad]

you've heard the JJs vrad =)

Don't give me your shit! LOL!
5 minutes in a completely different amp...

 

[MrDan666]

I like the tone of the JJ's, but several sets that i bought have started making crackling noises after less than 20 hours of use.

I just stick with the Winged C's in everything now, they're reliable (never had one blow up on me), and they sound better than all the other EL34's IMO. Low noise too... the noise floor drops noticably, every time i put Winged C EL34's into an amp.

 

[Ventura]

All depends on the amp...

I've heard JJ's, SED's, and Tung Sol's. Believe it or not, in a lot of the amps I have used them in, the Tung Sols were superior, but the =C='s are my go to tube because there's something kinda unique about them. But I'm probably going to go back to Tung Sols on my next round of re-tubing. I wasn't overly impressed with the JJ's FWIW...

Just Sayn',
V.

 

[lordriffenstein]

I like the tone of the JJ's, but several sets that i bought have started making crackling noises after less than 20 hours of use.

I just stick with the Winged C's in everything now, they're reliable (never had one blow up on me), and they sound better than all the other EL34's IMO. Low noise too... the noise floor drops noticably, every time i put Winged C EL34's into an amp.

Weird, I have used the JJs in my power amp the past 3 years, retube every 1.5 year and never had reliability issues with them and I have gigged them hard and the rack was in and out of cars/vans a lot.

That said, I much prefer both SEDs and TungSols tonewise.

 

[lordriffenstein]

All depends on the amp...

I've heard JJ's, SED's, and Tung Sol's. Believe it or not, in a lot of the amps I have used them in, the Tung Sols were superior, but the =C='s are my go to tube because there's something kinda unique about them. But I'm probably going to go back to Tung Sols on my next round of re-tubing. I wasn't overly impressed with the JJ's FWIW...

Just Sayn',
V.

The TungSols are def great tubes but my power amp is on the bright side with plenty of presence so they are not they are probably the best combination. That being said, I bet they will shine in my 50w JMP Bass.

 

[kylendm]

Just putting this out there. I really like the sound of Ruby EL34BHT. Dave from Baron Custom Amps, recommended them to me and they have the just the right amount of mids and breakup I like in an EL34. JJ E34Ls I didn't care for at all. I think I might have a clip, I'll have to look.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=76932

There's the thread. It didn't get any recognition.

 

[FourT6and2]

Are the Tung Sol EL34B's the same as the Ruby (Chinese) EL34BSTR's?

Another tube I would look into are the Ruby EL34BHT's. They are able to handle high plate voltages and are very robust tubes, like the SED's. My two favorite EL34 tubes are the SED's and Ruby BHT's. If you're looking at the Ruby BSTR, I would highly consider the BHT instead. Along with the SED's, they are probably the two best new production tube in terms of reliability and "tone." Whatever that is.

I currently have three different sets of tubes that I've been playing with: JJ E34L, SED =C= and Ruby EL34BHT. Amps are Diezel VH4 and my Metro 1959 Super Lead. In my VH4, I prefer the Ruby BHT's. They have a less pronounced low-end than the other two and seem to brighten up the VH4 slightly. The mid range is comparable to the SED's, but grinds a bit more in my VH4. The Diezel has tons of low-end, almost too much at times. So I find the BHT's to really tame that part of the amp. The SED's sound a bit muddy in the VH4 due to their low-end and rounded top-end.

In my 1959, the JJ E34L's are very aggressive and drive the amp harder. More gain. But, they are a bit cold sounding. Not bad. But not great either. The BHT's have the exact opposite effect in this amp. Muddy. Dark. Loose. The SED's sound the best! Very nice mid range, not harsh and tight, but not overbearing low-end.

All three have their place. Just depends on the amp!

 

[kylendm]

SHOOT! I meant BHT.

Updated post above.

 

[FourT6and2]

SHOOT! I meant BHT.

Updated post above.

Ah, yeah. They're great valves!

 

[steve_k]

The voice of RT is pretty powerful. We should really promote JJ's and dis on SED's to drive the price back down on Winged C's

The difference in tubes is described pretty good above. For better tone and reliability the SED's win hands down for me. I am like a squirrel gathering nuts too, I have a good stash of them set aside. In the amps where I like SED's, I don't like JJ's. They are just too dark, lifeless and thin. Depending on where they come from, JJ's aren't the most reliable. Not to say there aren't some good one's out there. Ruby has a good QC on rebranded tubes. Their HG and HG+ preamp tubes are my favorite high gainers. But, I find the 34's a little brittle and glassy as compared to an SED.

I like the Tung Sols in any Marshall formatted amp. They are big and well rounded and very reliable, preamp tubes and power.

Steve

 

[glip22]

Are the Tung Sol EL34B's the same as the Ruby (Chinese) EL34BSTR's?

Another tube I would look into are the Ruby EL34BHT's. They are able to handle high plate voltages and are very robust tubes, like the SED's. My two favorite EL34 tubes are the SED's and Ruby BHT's. If you're looking at the Ruby BSTR, I would highly consider the BHT instead. Along with the SED's, they are probably the two best new production tube in terms of reliability and "tone." Whatever that is.

I currently have three different sets of tubes that I've been playing with: JJ E34L, SED =C= and Ruby EL34BHT. Amps are Diezel VH4 and my Metro 1959 Super Lead. In my VH4, I prefer the Ruby BHT's. They have a less pronounced low-end than the other two and seem to brighten up the VH4 slightly. The mid range is comparable to the SED's, but grinds a bit more in my VH4. The Diezel has tons of low-end, almost too much at times. So I find the BHT's to really tame that part of the amp. The SED's sound a bit muddy in the VH4 due to their low-end and rounded top-end.

In my 1959, the JJ E34L's are very aggressive and drive the amp harder. More gain. But, they are a bit cold sounding. Not bad. But not great either. The BHT's have the exact opposite effect in this amp. Muddy. Dark. Loose. The SED's sound the best! Very nice mid range, not harsh and tight, but not overbearing low-end.

All three have their place. Just depends on the amp!

Have you given the Gold Lion KT77 a run? TCtubes are great to deal with. Their testing is spot on and they offer a 30 day no questions gauarantee that they do honor. Tyler and his Wife Chelsea are good people. The GL 77's sound great at least in one amp I installed them in.

 

[FourT6and2]

Are the Tung Sol EL34B's the same as the Ruby (Chinese) EL34BSTR's?

Another tube I would look into are the Ruby EL34BHT's. They are able to handle high plate voltages and are very robust tubes, like the SED's. My two favorite EL34 tubes are the SED's and Ruby BHT's. If you're looking at the Ruby BSTR, I would highly consider the BHT instead. Along with the SED's, they are probably the two best new production tube in terms of reliability and "tone." Whatever that is.

I currently have three different sets of tubes that I've been playing with: JJ E34L, SED =C= and Ruby EL34BHT. Amps are Diezel VH4 and my Metro 1959 Super Lead. In my VH4, I prefer the Ruby BHT's. They have a less pronounced low-end than the other two and seem to brighten up the VH4 slightly. The mid range is comparable to the SED's, but grinds a bit more in my VH4. The Diezel has tons of low-end, almost too much at times. So I find the BHT's to really tame that part of the amp. The SED's sound a bit muddy in the VH4 due to their low-end and rounded top-end.

In my 1959, the JJ E34L's are very aggressive and drive the amp harder. More gain. But, they are a bit cold sounding. Not bad. But not great either. The BHT's have the exact opposite effect in this amp. Muddy. Dark. Loose. The SED's sound the best! Very nice mid range, not harsh and tight, but not overbearing low-end.

All three have their place. Just depends on the amp!

Have you given the Gold Lion KT77 a run? TCtubes are great to deal with. Their testing is spot on and they offer a 30 day no questions gauarantee that they do honor. Tyler and his Wife Chelsea are good people. The GL 77's sound great at least in one amp I installed them in.

Never tried KT77's before. Not sure I need to. How do they differ from EL34's? Checking 'em out now. Looks very similar to the Ruby EL34BHT. Larger glass and everything.

 

[AndyK]

Every single JJ power tube I've used crapped out prematurely. Popping sounds, static, etc. Even the JJs that Dave Friedman used in my modded amp started Making noises and popping the day i got the amp! I'll never use JJ again!

The new Winged C tubes I just got seem rock solid so far.

 

[FourT6and2]

Every single JJ power tube I've used crapped out prematurely. Popping sounds, static, etc. Even the JJs that Dave Friedman used in my modded amp started Making noises and popping the day i got the amp! I'll never use JJ again!

The new Winged C tubes I just got seem rock solid so far.

Yeah, JJ preamp tubes are awful. Right now I'm using Ruby HG+ in everything. Very low noise tubes! I have an old Mullard 12AX7 in V1 of my Super Lead, though. So far sounds good. But haven't really had a chance to put it through the paces and compare it to the Ruby's. Believe it or not, but it's even LOWER noise than the Ruby HG+. It sounds better for cleans, very warm and has really eerie and pleasant overtones/harmonics. But for the cranked gain stuff, it may be too warm = muddy. The Chinese Shuguangs are colder sounding, but much tighter than the Mullard.

I have my eye on Siemens 12AX7, though. Anybody know the difference between long plate and short plate? TCtubes has both versions.

 

[MrDan666]

Every single JJ power tube I've used crapped out prematurely. Popping sounds, static, etc. Even the JJs that Dave Friedman used in my modded amp started Making noises and popping the day i got the amp! I'll never use JJ again!

The new Winged C tubes I just got seem rock solid so far.

Exactly same experience here man... I have had several sets just randomly start making static noises and popping, and increased hiss. Soon as i replaced them with Winged C's, all the noise disappeared

I won't tolerate noisy tubes. I install fully regulated DC Heaters in all my mods/custom builds which keeps the noise floor as low as possible, but by using noisy power tubes it just defeats the object. That's why with pretty much every amp i mod, i recommend Winged C's to the customer. Super low noise, great reliability, killer tone, handles higher screen voltages etc... They pretty much tick every box on my list of requirements from a power tube!