EL34 vs 6CA7 vs KT77 (also E34L)

[ZEEGLER]

I'm going to be ordering a set of power tubes for my Rivera Tre. I'm not sure how old the current tubes are, but I believe they might just be the originals. The current tubes are JJ E34Ls. I'm inclined to believe they are the originals because my Knucklehead II also had JJE34Ls in it when I got it. So anyway, I've been hearing a bit of random sputtering/spitting sounds from the amp, so I think new tubes are the way to go.

I could go with Mullard RI EL34s. That's what I put in my KII and they sound great, plus they've been reliable as hell considering that amp gets played frequently. Or maybe go with the Tung Sol EL34s, as I've heard they are more durable?

However, I'm intrigued by the other available options. As I understand it, the 6CA7s are going to be a bit more like 6L6s, and from what I've read they are extremely robust.

I have no idea what to expect from KT77s, but I've heard they have more headroom than EL34s, and are perhaps a little more robust.

I'm certainly not against going with something that's a tougher more reliable tube as long as I'm not compromising tone.

Wut do?

 

[glpg80]

6CA7’s have more of a deadlift type of attitude to your tone with emphasis on the low mids and sound more tamed on the top end. EL34’s have more overall low end and IMHO the mid attitudes just sound more musical.

I’m running 6CA7’s right now and kinda prefer Svetlana EL34’s more.

I’ve heard good things about the JJ34L’s. I’d like to try them.

 

[Lightning]

JJ EL34 II