The options:
The Cheap Option - Tube Town - £45 + £10 shipping
These guys are very cheap, but they're out of stock on the SED =C='s
SED =C= EL34 x2 (out of stock)
The Svetlana EL34 has become standard equipment in Marshall amps for many years now. The design is based on the famous Mullard EL34. The constructions sees a laminated alloy used for the plate construction which helps heat transfer under overload conditions.These are the ORIGINAL Svetlana EL34 as made by JSC Svetlana and are also known by the the name of Winged C.
The valve has a smooth top end response and a rich distorted tone. The Svetlana EL34 has a bold and dynamic sound and when overdriven sounds smooth and responsive.The Svetlana EL34 is also one of the best sounding audio EL34 that we have come across .
We burn in and dual match these on anode current and transconductance/output gain. All this and bullet proof reliability makes these a great buy.
JJEL34L x2
The JJ EL34L is louder that the standard JJ EL34. This tube is as close to an NOS Mullard as you can get. They are very smooth and have the biggest low end of any current production EL34. The JJ E34L is the right choice for most applications simply because of it's extended low end and the fact that it's tighter and punchier.
The Safe Option - HotRox - £59
If I order from HotRox I don't have to wait for the SED Winged =C='s or pay european shipping charges and waiting EU shipping times
SED Winged =C= EL34 x2 (in stock)
The Svetlana EL34 has become standard equipment in Marshall amps for many years now. The design is based on the famous Mullard EL34. The constructions sees a laminated alloy used for the plate construction which helps heat transfer under overload conditions.These are the ORIGINAL Svetlana EL34 as made by JSC Svetlana and are also known by the the name of Winged C.
The valve has a smooth top end response and a rich distorted tone. The Svetlana EL34 has a bold and dynamic sound and when overdriven sounds smooth and responsive.The Svetlana EL34 is also one of the best sounding audio EL34 that we have come across .
We burn in and dual match these on anode current and transconductance/output gain. All this and bullet proof reliability makes these a great buy.
JJEL34L x2
The JJ EL34L is louder that the standard JJ EL34. This tube is as close to an NOS Mullard as you can get. They are very smooth and have the biggest low end of any current production EL34. The JJ E34L is the right choice for most applications simply because of it's extended low end and the fact that it's tighter and punchier.
The Interesting Option - Watford Valves - £59.36 + £5 shipping
Ever since euan's tube demo I've been impressed with Harma valves and the Cryo process, this might be a fun (if more pricey) set to go for, plus I have to wait to order until the Cryos are back, they don't allow you to order stuff that is out of stock
Harma Retro EL34 x2
The Harma EL34 RETRO offers a unique combination of the famous Mullard bottom end response and the Siemens ease of distortion with 800 plate Volt capacity .The block grid construction provides smoother output and eliminates odd order harmonics. The result is a very touch sensitive valve with a balanced crisp compressed overdrive. This valve is ideally suited to Blues players looking for that MULLARD sound.
Harma Retro EL34 Cryro x2 (out of stock) As above but Cryogenically treated
Harma Deep Cyrogenic Treated valves offers the immense warmth and smooth distortion characteristics only normally found in very expensive NOS valves such as Mullards. The process involves taking the vacuum tubes and freezing them down to -312 f and soaking these for a minimum of 12 hours. Then the temparature is held at this low level for 24 hours. The vacuum tubes are then slowly brought up to normal levels over the next 12 hours. Metals respond very well to deep cryogenic process. The reasons are as follows. During the cooling or solidification phase of the manufacturing process, molecules are trapped in a haphazard pattern. This is down to stress caused in the bending and welding of the anode plate material. This random placement causes obstacles for electrons and when encountered this interference can cause noise, slow down electron flow and sound deteriation affecting the quality of the sound of the vacuum tube. At very cold temperatures (below -312°F), the molecules will align in a more uniform, compact structure through the removal of kinetic energy. When the material is returned to ambient temperature, this new uniform, compact pattern is maintained, Thus changing the structure of the nickel permanently. This process makes a permanent change and the benefits do not deteriorate over time or upon return to operating temperature, it changes the whole way the vacuum tube performs. The biggest benefits I have found has been a dramatic improvement in dymanic range. Bass response has been clearer with reduction in microphonics. The really most starling fact as been how the valve operates under saturated and overdriven conditions. Some day all valves will be treated this way.
So what do you think? I have experience with SED =C='s and JJEL34Ls (Doog likes these too and they're good valves) but I'm quite interested in this Harma malarkey. Help me out.
