@macg19 while I agree that old stock tubes need minimal burn in and often sounds great from the start, new stock tubes, particularly Tung Sol KT150's take a long time to settle in... at least that has been my experience.
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!
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- 35 posts total
Yep. When I first purchased my last pairs of tube mono amps which run KT150s or KT120s, I kept going back and forth comparing the sound to my local dealer, same amps. He had 300-400 hours on his demos, I had 40,80, 100 on mine. Not the same. Breaking in, wearing out, smoothing out, whatever you want to think about it - both quads of these sounded nicer after 200-300 hours on them fwiw. As the time goes on and highs round off just a tad with wear, the midrange and body comes in more, also a little more euphoric now too - from my experience with them. The difference is noticeable even with the most primitive listening to my FM tuner or CDs or high-res streaming. Not all agree but some good time on them can help change the sound. Wether you like the changes or not is up to you. |
Does anyone have an opinion on original Tesla EL34s (not JJ) and how they compare to the aforementioned SED Winged C? I've been running these in my QS MidMonos for several years and love the sound. The original set says 'Made in Czechoslovakia' on the box while a more recent set was revised to 'Made in Slovakia'. That country split happened in 1993 so not sure the age of these tubes. Mike Sanders at QS sells them as an upgrade to his standard offering. Just curious. |
I can't disagree with you. My only experience with Tung Sol KT150's was in an overpriced, crappy, US made integrated. It was red. Not that I'm naming names:) The best they sounded was they day I boxed them up to trade it in. Conversely, the best power tubes I've owned were NOS Shuguang 6L6GC "coke bottle" (circa 1970's I believe). They did sound great as soon as they warmed up. All fun stuff but I've simplified things with a SS amp and tube sources; DAC and phono stage that both use 12AX7's. |
- 35 posts total