2. vintage
  3. 194171-123090

NOS EL34 becoming extinct

There is a thread running regarding whether tube gear is worth buying if one cannot find NOS tubes.  I have been watching the prices of NOS EL34 soar and supplies diminish ( finding quads is quite challenging ).  As my budget has shrunk as I retired I am thinking the unthinkable ; buying new production EL34.  Tyranny for sure!  WIth that being said I wonder has anyone found new production EL34 worth a try?  Before diving down the NOS rabbit hole I had tried a quad of Groove Tube and was quite underwhelmed.  As always your opinions are requested but please no snark.

rivinyl

Showing 1 response by jetter

jetter
3,090 posts
 

For EL 34s I have used and still have NOS mullards, jj's, winged c's, NOS telefunkens, and two or three other brands I don't remember.

Once I purchased Gold Lion KT77's from Upscale Audio I never needed another brand of tube.  They are dependable and very musical.  

I didn't believe that any new production EL34 tube could rival NOS until I used the GL KT77 tube which changed my mind.  Ignore those who have never tried this tube and make blanket statements.  There is nothing but accolades for them on the forum.  To me they are so good it is a waste to purchase NOS EL34s at today's prices.

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