Quote:
Originally Posted by pstrisik
Have you tried current production Mullard EL-34 reissue? I keep coming back to them - though our amps are different. Mine is SEP.
I will add that I previously favored vintage tubes, including the vintage Mullard EL34 Xf2, prior to Dennis' IIPS and cap upgrade. Now it seems the reverse is true. New production seems favorable. I will hypothesize that the upgrade smoothed things out. I used to favor vintage tubes as they were smoother and less harsh overall. Now my favorite new production tubes are livelier and not at all harsh while the vintage equivalents seem less 3D and slightly veiled or soft. True? Don't know for sure, but I like it! Found the same before and after differences comparing new production TS6550 and vintage gray plate TS6550.
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In my SET amp, I have yet to find "harsh" output tubes, and since new production seems to be catching up (plus the inherent availability and price advantages) I also prefer new production except for the 6V6 family, especially the G ST type (RCA). Then again, the latter sound anemic in my Inspire so those are not being used anymore.
The magic midrange and overall presentation of the KT-77, plus its natural kinkless-derived body of sound (I wish these had better bass, though) makes me consider the source of that design, the EL34. Nevertheless, I'm hesitant because these may become too lean for my system ... A great tube like the 6P3S-E has been surpassed with colors by its relative kinkless KT-66 due to its fuller presentation, keeping the same wonderfull neutrality and data-mining approach of its predecessor.
If the new production EL34 offers bass and body of sound at the kinkless level (i.e. KT-77, KT-66, KT-88, 6550) while maintaining that midrange magic (which in the Triode configuration is maximized, I suppose), then I definitely need to give those a try too. Thanks for the pointer.
BTW, I checked the plate current specs on the 807 and it is right on the presumably ideal range (80+ mA) which should also make it fine in my setup.