New production EL34s in Vintage HIWATTs

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I have been experimenting with different EL34s in a 1972 DR103.
I guess that this thread will become a reference over time and added to over and over again.

I have tried JJ KT77s and GT EL34M power valves so far. With JJ E34L and winged C EL34s up next.

Even with a variac reducing the incoming current to 105,110 and 115, I notice that one of the KT77s redplates when striking a note or chord (regardless of valve position). The KT77s seem to have a sizzle going on that I don't care for. I will come back to these in the future for later comparison.

The GT EL34Ms sound really good! They are becoming my favorite new production tube. This quad was graded 7 by GT.
Time will tell how durable they are, but I have them in my NMV DR103 #420 for over a year and like them quite a bit.

more to come.....

[mikhailwatt]

I popped in some Shuguang EL34Bs (2006 production) for a few minutes last month (in place of NOS Siemens) and they seemed to have a brighter, slightly harsher top end. I'll have to give them a thorough workout and report back.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I forgot....I have some EL34Bs on the way too.

[OldSchoolDave]

Looking forward to your updated observations...

Dave

[mhuss]

The GT34Ms sound pretty good in the JP amps, and they've certainly taken a lickin' and kept on tickin'.

--mark

[Dr.HI-TONE]

The GT34Ms sound pretty good in the JP amps, and they've certainly taken a lickin' and kept on tickin'.

--mark

I am a big fan so far!

[Tripower455]

I've tried most of the new production stuff in my '78 DR504 and Clone, and the I like the Winged =C= EL34s best, followed by the GT EL34Ms, and then JJ EL34s.....