El34 = KT88 = KT120


Sure the KT120 is 2x;'s the size of a EL34.
But in my limited expereince ((thus far,,have 1 more experiement just ahead when my new speakers arrive and I build the cabinet, then further testing of the 3 types can begin) 
You get something nice of one tube vs the other 2, and another of he 3 shines better here, the last is slightly superior in this/that aspect.
6 of 1 /half dozen of the other.
I mean it all boils down  gain here, and give up something there.

Power  tube = power tube. 
I would not make such a  big deal over the comparisons. 
Thats said.
I think for me , i prefer the EL34 of all power tubes (as I've been told its the best of the 3) , Why?
Because its the ideal tube in a  PP amp for a  single wide band speaker. 
But i could be wrong, 
Will test out the 3 tubes in a few weeks. 
I actually could not hear much differences on the Seas speakers. All 3 sounded so very close. 
You might say the Kt120's out shoot the tiny EL34 in the  low bass fq's. 
I have Mundorf caps in the amp, these high end caps  adds a  nice punchy bass to any tube in the socket. 
The EL34 has just about same bass as the huge KT120's. 
I just don't see much difference  to debate the issue. 
mozartfan

Showing 2 responses by yogiboy


+1jasonbourne52 " Tube comparisons are only valid when the same amp is used with all the tubes in succession."

My amps allow changing tube types. I prefer the bigger brighter sound of a KT88 compared to the laid back sound of a EL34. It also depends on the speaker that you are using.
I have never tried a KT120 or a KT150 so I can’t comment on those types!
@pauly
Really?
Quicksilver’s Mid Mono amplifier is completely hand-wired and can use many different output tubes; the Mid Mono has a low loss output transformer, adjustable bias, and five-way gold-plated binding posts. Setting the bias is very simple: two screwdriver controls and pin jacks for any multimeter that reads millivolts. Power is 40 watts at 50% triode operation with the standard EL34s or KT88s, 45 watts with KT120s and 50 watts with KT150s.
Another!

The V4 recreates a musical event on a scale and with a solidity, roundness, and three-dimensionality matched by few and surpassed by no other amplifiers, with sensational dynamic-range to boot.” Paul Seydor – The Absolute Sound, October 2002.

“Connecting the Quicksilver Audio V4s quickly revealed that these were very good sounding amps indeed. Space, delicacy, transparency, and overall musical believably were of high order.” Bascom King – Audio, February 1998.

Powerful, musical, and effortless–this is the sound of the V4. As with all Quicksilver’s amplifiers, the V4s are all tube and hand wired point-to-point. A bias meter is mounted in the chassis and individual controls allow each output tube to be biased separately. The amplifiers come with KT150s, but EL34s, 6550s, or KT88s can also be used.