EL34 vs. KT66 output tubes

Well, that's why they make vanilla AND chocolate.

Most people, me among them, prefer the EL34 over the KT66 (and 6L6/5881), but the important thing is that you have found YOUR best tube!

Been trying to post to this thread for several days with no luck. Not sure why...

S23chang, while I do not doubt your assertion, the number of EL34 tubes/amplifiers sold compared to the 6L6 variants shows that people do prefer the EL34 tubes as we are voting with our wallets. One of my amps can run 6L6, EL34, KT88, KT90, 6550, and while I personally run KT88, I have also used EL34s, but will not be buying any 6L6/KT66/5881 in the future.

Smeyers, for me, the midrange purity of the EL34 does it. In some amps I have heard, experiencing what feels like the perfect reproduction of much of the music is a tremendously endearing (and fleeting) quality. Neither tube is as good in the treble as you can find, though I will still opt for the EL34 in the high frequencies. And, also neither tube is particularly special in the lows, I will give credit to the 6L6 variants being superior there.

S23chang, I don't think we disagree.

Having laid out your case well, along with things that most people often neglect to include in the mix such as type of amplifier and speaker as well as musical preference, it's easy to see where you are coming from. I don't doubt the 6L6 variants are best for you and your associates.

On my own end, I should submit to you that I am using amplifiers from the past decade, with speakers of the same vintage, and tend more to rock, jazz, and popular music. And, to be honest, when all is said and done, so far, I have hitched my wagon to the KT88, though we'll see with a new amp coming whether or not I will revert back to the JJ E34L.

While our means and ends seem to be different, we both are looking for the best possible way to enjoy the music we listen to. In the end I guess I have to repeat my assertion, that's why they make vanilla AND chocolate.