SED C EL34 - opinions !

[guitarman967]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

 

[FourT6and2]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

 

[Mr. Willy]

difference between Ruby BSTR e JJEL34L?

JJ's wre boomy in the low end which made the mids seem scooped. The Ruby's are more balanced. No contest for me, Ruby's win. Haven't tried SED's yet though. They are just more coin than I want to spend on tubes at the moment.

 

[Laura]

I have almost no issues with SED EL34's. I have some builder clients who will only use them in their EL34 based amps. Some dealers didn't like that SED is now using Chinese getters in their tubes. I have not noticed any decline in quality since then. I still recommend highly recommend them and only recommend them for amps with high PV's.

 

[guitarman967]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

Wait, you mean $20 more PER TUBE isnt a big difference? That's 100% more than other comparable tubes.
The difference in price ISNT negligable as you're leading us to believe.. We're talking $18 versus $40 per power tube.
Call me crazy but I say spending double the cash should give you more than marginal tonal benefits. That's what I hear, especially in high gain preamp based circuits.
If your argument was based on longevity and that's something you've tested then I might see the value there. (less re-tubing, tech visits etc. money saved)
Either that or you need to tell me where your buying your SED's.

 

[FourT6and2]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

Wait, you mean $20 more PER TUBE isnt a big difference? That's 100% more than other comparable tubes.
The difference in price ISNT negligable as you're leading us to believe.. We're talking $18 versus $40 per power tube.
Call me crazy but I say spending double the cash should give you more than marginal tonal benefits. That's what I hear, especially in high gain preamp based circuits.
If your argument was based on longevity and that's something you've tested then I might see the value there. (less re-tubing, tech visits etc. money saved)
Either that or you need to tell me where your buying your SED's.

I don't know about you, but I buy new power tubes maybe once every year, if that. Sometimes every two years. They last that long. I've never had a SED tube "go bad." But after a few years I replace them because everyone says you never really notice a slow decline in tone over time. But that's beside the point, which is: A $22 difference per tube is a small price to pay. I don't care if SEDs are 2% or 80% better than the next one. The difference in price is still worth it. To me.

If I were buying tubes every other month, yeah the price would matter. But right now, I don't care. The difference in price is literally me staying in ONE Friday night a year vs. going out and spending $100 at a bar on some chick I'll never get to bang anyway.

 

[guitarman967]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

Wait, you mean $20 more PER TUBE isnt a big difference? That's 100% more than other comparable tubes.
The difference in price ISNT negligable as you're leading us to believe.. We're talking $18 versus $40 per power tube.
Call me crazy but I say spending double the cash should give you more than marginal tonal benefits. That's what I hear, especially in high gain preamp based circuits.
If your argument was based on longevity and that's something you've tested then I might see the value there. (less re-tubing, tech visits etc. money saved)
Either that or you need to tell me where your buying your SED's.

I don't know about you, but I buy new power tubes maybe once every year, if that. Sometimes every two years. They last that long. I've never had a SED tube "go bad." But after a few years I replace them because everyone says you never really notice a slow decline in tone over time. But that's beside the point, which is: A $22 difference per tube is a small price to pay. I don't care if SEDs are 2% or 80% better than the next one. The difference in price is still worth it. To me.

If I were buying tubes every other month, yeah the price would matter. But right now, I don't care. The difference in price is literally me staying in ONE Friday night a year vs. going out and spending $100 at a bar on some chick I'll never get to bang anyway.

Good point.

 

[charveldan]

I have almost no issues with SED EL34's. I have some builder clients who will only use them in their EL34 based amps. Some dealers didn't like that SED is now using Chinese getters in their tubes. I have not noticed any decline in quality since then. I still recommend highly recommend them and only recommend them for amps with high PV's.

Metal Chicks R Hawt ...

 

[JTyson]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

Agreed
I'd love to find somthing that cost's less, sounds as good and holds up as well (I've tried everything listed in this thread)
But at this point I havent seen it. Mostly on a dependability scale.
I have a tube stash that goes back 30 years and has every brand under the sun in it (close to 140 tubes) All my Marshalls have SED's in their output sections at the moment.
I'd hardly call it RT fanboyism, it is possible that they are just better tubes.
People who sell every brand of tube out there say so too, as well as people who build amps for a living.
Ask Mike Fortin what the best EL34 out there is and he'll tell you SED's without hesitating...
I dont think there is a more experienced opinion out there..
Just sayin

 

[EnGl]

Thanks guys , As I said - I will but the SED C , I hope I will acheiev the desirable sound which is still in my head ...

 

[guitarman967]

Sorry, mobile screwed up posting.

 

[guitarman967]

 

[guitarman967]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

Agreed
I'd love to find somthing that cost's less, sounds as good and holds up as well (I've tried everything listed in this thread)
But at this point I havent seen it. Mostly on a dependability scale.
I have a tube stash that goes back 30 years and has every brand under the sun in it (close to 140 tubes) All my Marshalls have SED's in their output sections at the moment.
I'd hardly call it RT fanboyism, it is possible that they are just better tubes.
People who sell every brand of tube out there say so too, as well as people who build amps for a living.
Ask Mike Fortin what the best EL34 out there is and he'll tell you SED's without hesitating...
I dont think there is a more experienced opinion out there..
Just sayin

Hmm, I dont know, your post sounds fairly fanboyish to me. Proving my point accidentally?
Youre dropping big names and including ALL tube vendors to prove that theses power tubes are supposedly "better".
So let me get this straight, you say, don't bother with the alternatives because Mike Fortin says so? And Mike Fortin knows what type of sound is best for me?
Sounds more like a case of "these arent the droids you're looking for", than cold hard facts!
Also , guys who build amps for a living think SED's are best? Funny, I don't see many off the shelf amps with a quad of SED's in them. Vast minority actually. We're talking 1%

You'd probably also have me believe that you could tell the difference between all your other tubes and the SED's in a blind test, right? I mean, thats how you came to these emphatic conclusions, right?
Hey man, It's your opinion, you're entitled to it, I'm simply stating that these tubes are not the best "value" nor are the worth the pricing upcharge.
That's my opinion after my own testing ( nothing strictly scientific, mind you) and I'll stick to it. Beyond that, they simply do not sound best in every amp I have.
By the way, I've have a set of JJ's last longer than the SED's before, it CAN happen.

 

[guitarman967]

Thanks guys , As I said - I will but the SED C , I hope I will acheiev the desirable sound which is still in my head ...

You'd have more luck achieving the sounds in your head swapping out preamp tubes and carefully listening to the differences in power tube dissipation than counting on a power tube swap. That's been my experience.

 

[JTyson]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

Agreed
I'd love to find somthing that cost's less, sounds as good and holds up as well (I've tried everything listed in this thread)
But at this point I havent seen it. Mostly on a dependability scale.
I have a tube stash that goes back 30 years and has every brand under the sun in it (close to 140 tubes) All my Marshalls have SED's in their output sections at the moment.
I'd hardly call it RT fanboyism, it is possible that they are just better tubes.
People who sell every brand of tube out there say so too, as well as people who build amps for a living.
Ask Mike Fortin what the best EL34 out there is and he'll tell you SED's without hesitating...
I dont think there is a more experienced opinion out there..
Just sayin

Hmm, I dont know, your post sounds fairly fanboyish to me. Proving my point accidentally?
Youre dropping big names and including ALL tube vendors to prove that theses power tubes are supposedly "better".
So let me get this straight, you say, don't bother with the alternatives because Mike Fortin says so? And Mike Fortin knows what type of sound is best for me?
Sounds more like a case of "these arent the droids you're looking for", than cold hard facts!
Also , guys who build amps for a living think SED's are best? Funny, I don't see many off the shelf amps with a quad of SED's in them. Vast minority actually. We're talking 1%

You'd probably also have me believe that you could tell the difference between all your other tubes and the SED's in a blind test, right? I mean, thats how you came to these emphatic conclusions, right?
Hey man, It's your opinion, you're entitled to it, I'm simply stating that these tubes are not the best "value" nor are the worth the pricing upcharge.
That's my opinion after my own testing ( nothing strictly scientific, mind you) and I'll stick to it. Beyond that, they simply do not sound best in every amp I have.
By the way, I've have a set of JJ's last longer than the SED's before, it CAN happen.

Blah, Blah, Blah
If you had read my post's, you would have seen where I had tried other brands and like these better. It is my opinion, and as I said in my first post, opinions are like ass holes, everybody has one. It happens to be an opinion I formed before ever knowing Mike. I also stated my opinion was based more on longevity, so your statement about a blind test just means your being a prick. There are 2 amp builders in this very thread who said the same thing about them being better quality tubes, I guess you know more than both of them, Right?
See it as you will, the OP never asked what tube is the best "value", he asked for opinions on SED's specifically. I gave him mine, and I could not care any less what your impression of mine is, so spare me the minutia, blow it out your ass and have a great day

 

[guitarman967]

SED El-34's are good tubes and have their place where PV's are high.
Aside from that, they're overpriced if we're talking on strictly a "tone factor" rating. They are fairly good at everything, reasonable tight bass, smooth high's, pronounced mids but not great in any category.

I've found that guy's will hear what they WANT to hear especially when they've shelled out top dollar for more expensive tubes.
These tubes are perpetually high in terms of Rig Talk fan boyism..that's for sure, but I would encourage you to buy a couple different brands over time and compare. You could buy at least two quads of either Mullards, Tung Sols, Chinese, Svetlana's for the the price of (1) quad of winged "C".

For me, I can't justify the price point with these tubes when I've had "lesser quality" tubes perform better.
The chinese RUBY branded EL-34BSTR comes to mind for pennies on the dollar, compared to SED.
Now THAT's a great tube for the money.

I've tried Ruby BHT, Ruby BSTR, Sovtek, Svetlana, JJ, Ei, Electro Harmonix, and probably a few others I can't remember. I prefer the SEDs. And it's not because of the price. To my ears, Ruby are good tubes. So are the JJ E34L. But I prefer the sound of SEDs. The difference in price between all of them is negligible. Tubes are not like gasoline, where you fill up every week. I think I replace my tubes maybe once a year. $20 or so isn't a deal breaker over that length of time.

Agreed
I'd love to find somthing that cost's less, sounds as good and holds up as well (I've tried everything listed in this thread)
But at this point I havent seen it. Mostly on a dependability scale.
I have a tube stash that goes back 30 years and has every brand under the sun in it (close to 140 tubes) All my Marshalls have SED's in their output sections at the moment.
I'd hardly call it RT fanboyism, it is possible that they are just better tubes.
People who sell every brand of tube out there say so too, as well as people who build amps for a living.
Ask Mike Fortin what the best EL34 out there is and he'll tell you SED's without hesitating...
I dont think there is a more experienced opinion out there..
Just sayin

Hmm, I dont know, your post sounds fairly fanboyish to me. Proving my point accidentally?
Youre dropping big names and including ALL tube vendors to prove that theses power tubes are supposedly "better".
So let me get this straight, you say, don't bother with the alternatives because Mike Fortin says so? And Mike Fortin knows what type of sound is best for me?
Sounds more like a case of "these arent the droids you're looking for", than cold hard facts!
Also , guys who build amps for a living think SED's are best? Funny, I don't see many off the shelf amps with a quad of SED's in them. Vast minority actually. We're talking 1%

You'd probably also have me believe that you could tell the difference between all your other tubes and the SED's in a blind test, right? I mean, thats how you came to these emphatic conclusions, right?
Hey man, It's your opinion, you're entitled to it, I'm simply stating that these tubes are not the best "value" nor are the worth the pricing upcharge.
That's my opinion after my own testing ( nothing strictly scientific, mind you) and I'll stick to it. Beyond that, they simply do not sound best in every amp I have.
By the way, I've have a set of JJ's last longer than the SED's before, it CAN happen.

Blah, Blah, Blah
If you had read my post's, you would have seen where I had tried other brands and like these better. It is my opinion, and as I said in my first post, opinions are like ass holes, everybody has one. It happens to be an opinion I formed before ever knowing Mike. I also stated my opinion was based more on longevity, so your statement about a blind test just means your being a prick. There are 2 amp builders in this very thread who said the same thing about them being better quality tubes, I guess you know more than both of them, Right?
See it as you will, the OP never asked what tube is the best "value", he asked for opinions on SED's specifically. I gave him mine, and I could not care any less what your impression of mine is, so spare me the minutia, blow it out your ass and have a great day

Well JTyson, sounds like you're pretty upset about my opinion of these tubes.
First red flag of fan-boyism. Vehemently defending your "brand", pulling the "opinion" card when cornered.

Let's get this straight, you quoted me to disagree with my notion that these tubes are overrated.
You wanted the discussion, you've got it. Now you result to name calling?
You may have formed your opinion about these tubes before you knew Mike F. did, but you have no problem dropping his name in to try and strengthen your argument right?
FYI, my opinion is worth as much as your's and any builder. Builder's are builders, but not always guitar players, they have their vision, and I have mine. You're sold on the notion that any builder's opinion automatically trumps the customers they're selling the amps to. It's actually the other way around!
So stop with your superiority complex would ya?

 

[charveldan]

Boy this thread went to shit.

Being on the internet doesn't give you license to be a Jackoff.

FYI Most stock Marshall amps come with =C= SED's, they use other tubes sometimes.

SED's reliability is a strongpoint with me, plus they sound great.

I've bought 6550's 6L6's & EL-34's and had no issues. I stick with what works.

 

[jasonP]

I've had awesome results with SED tubes. I think they are some of the best sounding current production power tubes.

 

[Racerxrated]

The Cs I've had in my Marshalls sound as good as a ridiculously overpriced pair of Metal Base vintage Mullards that a friend of mine let me put into my Jubilee...I think he sold those mullards for like 600 for the pair? Old Siemens are comparable to the Cs IMO at least in my Marshalls and they might be a bit less than the Cs..

 

[JTyson]

, my opinion is worth as much as your's and any builder. Builder's are builders, but not always guitar players, they have their vision, and I have mine. You're sold on the notion that any builder's opinion automatically trumps the customers they're selling the amps to. It's actually the other way around!
So stop with your superiority complex would ya?

You came in and acted like a prick, so I called it like I saw it... It happens..
Maybe you should put on your big-boy panties before you come in and say things like "my opinion is worth as much as any builders" and try to convince an entire thread of people who think SED's are better because of years of trial and error that they are all full of shit.
Maybe you could test your own theory and take a poll here to see how many people here value your opinion as much as the builders we have here. I'm sure that will turn out well for you Do it today, its easy to set up
I'm done here, Trust me when I say I really could not possibly care any less than I do about this