EL34-comparison: JJ vs Tung-Sol vs SED

[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.

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.

They are tighter than a 34. More complexity and layers to the tone. Growlier in the lower mids. Tighter bass and sweeter top end, especially after a good break in. They don't work in every amp but have worked for me in several amps. Great tube. I like the Gold Lions even though they are 159/quad. They also put out more power over the 34. They don't have a larger glass. They can handle higher PV and screen current as well. Kind of a cross between an EL34 and a 6550.

 

[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.

They are tighter than a 34. More complexity and layers to the tone. Growlier in the lower mids. Tighter bass and sweeter top end, especially after a good break in. They don't work in every amp but have worked for me in several amps. Great tube. I like the Gold Lions even though they are 159/quad. They also put out more power over the 34. They don't have a larger glass. They can handle higher PV and screen current as well. Kind of a cross between an EL34 and a 6550.

Looks like they flange outward at the base. But maybe it's because below that, they're skinnier to begin with. On the BHT's, they flange out at the base and they are much larger than standard EL34's. Strange. But that has no bearing on the sound. Just on observation.

 

[richedie]

JJs are my favorite tube and are in all my amps!

 

[lespaul6]

I always used winged C's in my marshall and chinese preamp tubes... now that I have the Wizards Ive been using the JJ's... the bottom is bigger and sloppy compared to the tight pushback I'm used to. I will probably switch back to SED for my wizards when the time comes. the chinese EL34's might also be worth trying?

 

[Ventura]

JJs are my favorite tube and are in all my amps!

Jesus H., richedie, you're back and necrobumpin'!!

Hope you've been well m'man...

 

[metalmaniac93]

Necrobump time for some updated info!!!