[ckc527]

Hi, are there any comparison/reviews of the various metal base EL34? E.g. Holland vs. Germany made.

Thanks,
ckc

[shoot]

@adrianc   

[ckc527]

Hi adrianc, can you please share your experience with the metal base EL34? Which are your personal favorites? What's the general sound characteristics between the Holland vs Germany made metal base EL34?

Thanks,
ckc

[adrianc]

Hi adrianc, can you please share your experience with the metal base EL34? Which are your personal favorites? What's the general sound characteristics between the Holland vs Germany made metal base EL34?

Thanks,
ckc

Hi ckc527,sorry a bit late to reply as just got back from holiday.
I don't have the Telefunken EL34 metal base but I had listing to them long time ago(lever twin getter version) On all the Philips made Metal Base EL34 ,I'm only like the Extended Base version,they sounds more like my favorite XF1 Mullard,the rest of these metal base sounds fast and extend specially in the mid to high region,one area which these Metal Base version totally lost to the XF1 is the mid range which sounds smooth and clear,musical ,excellent balance sounding valves.
The Telefunken Metal Base EL34 which,if I still remember,sounds less forward than the Philips version and more relax,dynamic is not as good as the Philip version.I read a tube forum said that the Philips Metal base have a excellent mid and top but roll off at the treble?I'm don't know what makes these valve expert said that but for my own opinion the Best sounding EL34 is the Mullard XF1 version.Regards

[ckc527]

Hi ckc527,sorry a bit late to reply as just got back from holiday.
I don't have the Telefunken EL34 metal base but I had listing to them long time ago(lever twin getter version) On all the Philips made Metal Base EL34 ,I'm only like the Extended Base version,they sounds more like my favorite XF1 Mullard,the rest of these metal base sounds fast and extend specially in the mid to high region,one area which these Metal Base version totally lost to the XF1 is the mid range which sounds smooth and clear,musical ,excellent balance sounding valves.
The Telefunken Metal Base EL34 which,if I still remember,sounds less forward than the Philips version and more relax,dynamic is not as good as the Philip version.I read a tube forum said that the Philips Metal base have a excellent mid and top but roll off at the treble?I'm don't know what makes these valve expert said that but for my own opinion the Best sounding EL34 is the Mullard XF1 version.Regards

Hi adrianc,

Thanks for your feedback. I just received in mail today a pair of holland made metal base EL34 which I'm burning in. They have production code SY1 56G. I'll give the extended base version a try if I can find them
What is a fair price on a NOS pair of XF1?

Thanks
ckc

[adrianc]

Hi adrianc,

Thanks for your feedback. I just received in mail today a pair of holland made metal base EL34 which I'm burning in. They have production code SY1 56G. I'll give the extended base version a try if I can find them
What is a fair price on a NOS pair of XF1?

Thanks
ckc

Difficult to tell the price of the XF1 specially they are three versions available and the condition of the valves

[ckc527]

Difficult to tell the price of the XF1 specially they are three versions available and the condition of the valves

Which version would you suggest? What are the differences?

Thanks
ckc

[adrianc]

Which version would you suggest? What are the differences?

Thanks
ckc

They are four XF1 versions.
1st. Single big round getter
2nd. Brown base Twin overlap round getters
3rd. Brown base lever  twin round getters
4th. Dark brown base lever twin round getters.
I prefer the 4th version as it had better dynamic and solid bass

[ckc527]

They are four XF1 versions.
1st. Single big round getter
2nd. Brown base Twin overlap round getters
3rd. Brown base lever  twin round getters
4th. Dark brown base lever twin round getters.
I prefer the 4th version as it had better dynamic and solid bass

Thanks!
ckc

[ckc527]

Hi adrianc,

Can you tell me if this is 3rd or 4th version? I'm guessing 3rd.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281388826897

Thanks,
Peter

[adrianc]

Hi adrianc,

Can you tell me if this is 3rd or 4th version? I'm guessing 3rd.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281388826897

Thanks,
Peter

Hi Peter, yes,they are the third version,bit expensive without the boxes

[ckc527]

Hi adrianc,

How about these? 4th version with dark brown base, almost black looking?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131164271218

Thanks
ckc

[adrianc]

Hi adrianc,

How about these? 4th version with dark brown base, almost black looking?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131164271218

Thanks
ckc

Yes,these are my favorite version but these pair was on E-bay quite  a while now which  indicated the price are too high,wait  as plenty of them around and I will say £70 to £90 for a good measure one.If money is not a problem to you,go buy them.

[ckc527]

Yes,these are my favorite version but these pair was on E-bay quite  a while now which  indicated the price are too high,wait  as plenty of them around and I will say £70 to £90 for a good measure one.If money is not a problem to you,go buy them.

Just to confirm, is that £70 to £90 for a good measured pair or single?

Thanks for the tips adrianc!

ckc

[adrianc]

Just to confirm, is that £70 to £90 for a good measured pair or single?

Thanks for the tips adrianc!

ckc

Hi Peter,the price is for a Single valve,remember that was the price I will happy to pay for and doesn't mean other people will agree. £90 will be my highest pay for top condition with original box.Some seller charge ridiculous price for the Metal base EL34 AND GZ34 but still have audiophiles buying them,I think it all depends how serious you are regarding about these valves.