2. amps-preamps
  3. 195084-89356

Modern EL34s VS NOS Winged C - and return policies?

A couple questions for the tube veterans here:

1. If I buy a new set of premium tubes and they sound fine but just don’t have the magic I’m after, can I usually return them?

2. What current-production EL34 comes closest to the NOS Svetlana SED Winged C?

My setup:

• Sonore ultraRendu streamer

• Gustard R26 DAC

• PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamp

• PrimaLuna EVO 300 power amp

• PureAudioProject Trio15 Classics

I’ve rolled Tung-Sol KT150s, KT120s, Gold Lion KT88s, the stock PrimaLuna tubes, and NOS Svetlana SED Winged C EL34s. The SEDs absolutely destroy the others in soundstage and holography — it’s not subtle. I often struggle to hear big differences between DACs and streamers, but the SEDs are jaw-dropping.

I’m tempted to sell off all my other tubes and double down on EL34s, but I worry a new set might not have the same magic. I’m also willing to pay for another set that does.

Any thoughts on modern EL34 alternatives or experiences dealing with tube dealers who are sympathetic to nutcases like me? Thanks!

brighamdoc

Showing 1 response by trivema

trivema's avatar
trivema
147 posts
 

Nice set up! Kevin at Upscale love the PrimaLuma gear. 

Funny, sitting here listening to Bruce Springsteen’s new release Tracks II: The Lost Albums through my little Dennis Had Inspire KT-88 with a pair of St Pete SED EL 34s after rolled out a pair of Winged C 6550s.  Agree the NOS St Pete Svetlana’s are the best!  Have NOS testing RFTs, Teslas (second place), GE and Sovtek 6CA7s, and GL KT-77s. The GLs are very balanced, clean, almost clinical sounding and probably the best new production EL-34 out there, although I haven’t heard the New Sensor Mullard reproduction. I have a pair of Psvane Horizon 300b that Utube reviewers rave about, I found them, well meh in another amp. GL 300BX way better. 

I’ve never heard the NOS Mullards that people rave about, but I found the famous Mullard 12AX7 very “mushy” in yet another tube amp I own.  Telefunken, Amperex, RCA and Raytheon black plate way nicer IMO.

The St Pete EL 34s are very special, so where does that leave you? Scouring eBay, Reverb, USAudioMart and other sites buying and hoarding as may Svet El-34s as you can get your hands on!  Expensive, time consuming, sometimes hit or miss. Beauty in the eye of the beholder though. 

More to discover