Manley Snappers get new "real" EL34 tubes !

[Jerome W]

Hello folks,

Yesterday evening I had a terrific listening session.
I received this week a replacement set of tubes for my Manley Snappers amps, that I initially ordered for a back up.
They asked me if I wanted the EH 6CA7 ( "american equivalent of the EL34") which are the tubes my amps were fitted with, or the Tung Sol EL 34 for the power tubes, telling me that the EL34 are considered by some people more "musical".
I have listened to 5 complete vinyls yesterday, with the P9 and burning in the EL34's and honestly, if the sound could be sweeter than this, it will flood on the ground like a Dali painting !
I never heard the voice of Ben Harper as sweet and sensual as this.
The 2301's are very sweet amps on the sens that they sound as sweet as natural sounds. But the Snappers fitted with those EL34 tubes sound extremely sweet. Certainly not like in the "real life" but extremely beautiful and enjoyable. And yet, they have punch and drive oh boy !
I'm a laughing at the "american equivalent of EL34" for the description of the 6CA7 and I understand now why so many people adore this tube.

If you use an amp with 6CA7 tubes and think that you're listening to the EL34 sound, well you're not.
The 6CA7 is probably more neutral than the EL34 so depending on your system, you may prefer the american tube actually but it could be worth to buy a set of EL34 and compare them.
For my ears, the "real" EL34 is more enjoyable and sounds much more "delicious".

PS / Ivan, I realize that this thread could be in the Tubes forum. Move it there if you wish to. Thanks !

[joeinid]

Hi Jérôme,

The EL34's are very nice sweet tubes. I think my Neo 250's are fitted with the 6CA7's. I'll have to play around with them. I've always loved the EL34 and I am glad you found out why. Those Snappers a amazing little amps. If you really want sweet, have a triode switch installed and watch the vocals and music ooze from the speakers. Just beautiful.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by joeinid

Hi Jérôme,

The EL34's are very nice sweet tubes. I think my Neo 250's are fitted with the 6CA7's. I'll have to play around with them. I've always loved the EL34 and I am glad you found out why. Those Snappers a amazing little amps. If you really want sweet, have a triode switch installed and watch the vocals and music ooze from the speakers. Just beautiful.

Thanks Joe !
I can have a triode switch installed in the Snappers ? I thought it was only on the Neo 250.....

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Thanks Joe !
I can have a triode switch installed in the Snappers ? I thought it was only on the Neo 250.....

I think it was $250 per amp. I could not find it on their website but it dropped the power to about 50 watts/ch. I am very sure it's still possible.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by joeinid

I think it was $250 per amp. I could not find it on their website but it dropped the power to about 50 watts/ch. I am very sure it's still possible.

I'm going to check that ! Thanks a lot !
If it is a switch, I will still be able to listen to it in the regular pentode mode I suppose ?
Anyway, 50 W are enough for my evening listenings....

[joeinid]

Yes. I do not think you should/could switch it on the fly. But you have a choice of Ultra Linear and Triode for 100 watts/ch or 50 watts/ch. I hope they still offer it.

Manley Snapper®

Look at the picture of the rear of the Snapper on their website.

Do you have the switches on the back?

[joeinid]

Jérôme,

In March I was thinking of buying a used pair of Snappers and inquired of the service dept. for a check up and triode switch install. The check-up was $250 and the triode switch install was $250. I've included the answer from the service dept. below.


Adding the triode/ultralinear switching is $250. When switched to ultralinear, there is no difference as opposed to not having the switch.

Hope that helps. Adding the switch will not have any detrimental effects.
Joe

[JohnThomas]

Hi Jérôme,

It's good to hear you are enjoying the Snappers. That's great that you can add a switch to the Manley's. I wish a lot more companies offered that option.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by JohnThomas

Hi Jérôme,

It's good to hear you are enjoying the Snappers. That's great that you can add a switch to the Manley's. I wish a lot more companies offered that option.

John,
I don't have the switch but that's no big deal. More sweet than what I get now will be too much of a good thing.....maybe !

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Hello folks,

Yesterday evening I had a terrific listening session.
I received this week a replacement set of tubes for my Manley Snappers amps, that I initially ordered for a back up.
They asked me if I wanted the EH 6CA7 ( "american equivalent of the EL34") which are the tubes my amps were fitted with, or the Tung Sol EL 34 for the power tubes, telling me that the EL34 are considered by some people more "musical".
I have listened to 5 complete vinyls yesterday, with the P9 and burning in the EL34's and honestly, if the sound could be sweeter than this, it will flood on the ground like a Dali painting !
I never heard the voice of Ben Harper as sweet and sensual as this.
The 2301's are very sweet amps on the sens that they sound as sweet as natural sounds. But the Snappers fitted with those EL34 tubes sound extremely sweet. Certainly not like in the "real life" but extremely beautiful and enjoyable. And yet, they have punch and drive oh boy !
I'm a laughing at the "american equivalent of EL34" for the description of the 6CA7 and I understand now why so many people adore this tube.

If you use an amp with 6CA7 tubes and think that you're listening to the EL34 sound, well you're not.
The 6CA7 is probably more neutral than the EL34 so depending on your system, you may prefer the american tube actually but it could be worth to buy a set of EL34 and compare them.
For my ears, the "real" EL34 is more enjoyable and sounds much more "delicious".

PS / Ivan, I realize that this thread could be in the Tubes forum. Move it there if you wish to. Thanks !

Jérôme.......I found this graph interesting. It appears the EL34 is slightly flatter at the 20kHz line than the 6CA7.