EL34 vs 6CA7 vs KT77

The Siemens you can get from RAM Labs are the best I have heard on my Music Reference RM9SE, but purely on hearsay, it does seem there is a lot of good feedback on the Genalex KT-77 reissues. Oh, you are right, it is not only subjective but perhaps only valid within the context of a particular amp driving a particular speaker, you really do have to try them to really know. I would call Jim McShane who listens to alot of these variants - he really does like the Genalex though....

Jim McShane sells them both, and has many buyers of both - his advice is worth seeking, as well as the fact that he matches tubes very well and sell at very competitive prices. He is especially useful on issue related to reliability since he sells so many sets - he's been known to stop selling tubes that have "problems" in the field.