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Retubing dilemma

I have a melody el34 integrated amp.  As I mentioned in a older thread one of the tube store el34 preferred series tubes went up in flames. So now I have a choice and I want to see what people think would make the most difference sonically. I would like to keep this under  $200. 1.  I currently have 2 northern electric 6Sn7 tubes and 2 shuguang treasures 6sn7 tubes, 1 of each type on each side.  Should I replace the northern electrics with shuguangs so I have a full set all the same and just replace the el34 with the same preferred series or
2. Replace the el34s with gold lion kt77 that seem to be very well liked. 3. Other suggestions. 
As an aside if I went with #1 should I move the old shuguangs to one side and put the new pair on one side. 
Thanks 
jkontuly

Showing 3 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,231 posts
 
I have a Quicksilver 60w tube amp. I swapped from JJ KT-88s to Gold Lion KT 77's and the sound was more intimate, present, gentle in the midrange and treble. This could be just due to my setup (low ceilings) but I really found the KT 77's mellowed things without making them "rolled off" or fuzzy. They were $189 +$8.50 shipping for a matched quad from McShane Designs and he was great to work with.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,231 posts
 
Thanks for the correction. OP, ignore what I said unless your amp can run those GL KT-77s.

Still learning...
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,231 posts
 
@strateahed Great link. It seemed from what others said that this tube won't substitute? (Or maybe needs to be checked?)

In the link you provided, I liked this paragraph:
"1st Place (tie):  Genalex Gold Lion KT77   ($49.95 each. All prices in USD) Essentially, a perfect tube. Quiet and unfussy. It works with every musical genre. The sound quality is right up there with the Shuguang black bottles but this comes at half the price. This tube does it all–huge reserves of power and headroom, a massive airy soundstage but in this case airiness is not a sign of thinness or an unsaturated midrange. For hard rock and complex orchestral music, here’s your tube. It’s no slouch with jazz but tone freaks seeking an even more saturated midrange might prefer the Mullards or the Tung-Sols. Highs are unusually detailed and well defined but never glassy or edgy. This tube excels in scraping up micro details. The bass is deep and dry, not quite as punchy and elastic and ripe as the SED Winged C or the Tung Sol EL34B, but bone dry. There is a touch of warmth but this tube is not a tone freak’s dream. It’s more neutral. This is the only serious challenger to Shuguang and Psvane’s best offerings, and again, it’s half the price. My vote for the King of the EL34-family."
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