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Tube amps for classical music FU29 vs EL34

I'm not familuar with the sound of different tubes/tube amps. I have a a Jadis intergrated has 4 KT90's, and has a good sound, but the speakers limit the amp. Soon to be rectified, new speakers with a 87db rating late this summer. But I'd like to get another amp for primary system, keep the Jadis for a second system. I'm looking at 2 tube amps, one has 4 EL34's the other 4FU29's, both intergrated amps. I'm guessing the EL's will sound like the KT90's, and have more bass end. But with classical, I can forgo some "punch". The FU's look like it may offer more complexity in the mids, for orchestration and vocals/opera. Right track?
bartokfan

Showing 1 response by trelja

trelja
3,226 posts
 
You can run most any everyday non triode output tube in the JOR, beyond the 6L6 variety.

KT90 is the most powerful. EL34 sound much different (softer) and less powerful, though there is no penalty in terms of life, and the standard Orchestra uses this tube. KT88 are not run hard, as the amp is not autobias, and must be set for the tube. In fact, the bias settings are much on the conservative side, and my experience is a set of tubes should easily last 5 years (I got 7 on the KT90, with A LOT of playing), which is far more than the normal two years most high end tube amp manufacturers suggest.
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