[EthanH]

My amplifier is a Cayin TA30.

I am currently running cryo'd ValveArt EL34 tubes.  I like the warmth of the ValveArts.

The stock tubes were also ValveArts, and had a nice tubey sound to them, although they could be a bit "muddy" I suppose.  I've tried Electro-Harmonix EH6CA7s and did not care for the sound; I thought it was too thin and a bit rough.  I also tried the New Sensor Svetlana tubes.  These were better than the Electro-Harmonix and had a nice bouncy drive to them, but I thought they were a bit too forward and had an annoying glare about them.  I've also tried Genalex KT88s and they were okay, but I don't think the amp is really made for KT88 tubes.

Any recommendations for a warm and somewhat forgiving tube with good bass?  Something better than ValveArt or Shuguang EL34B?  I'm thinking of trying the SED EL34.  I've heard good things about the KT77s from Genalex and JJ, but I'm sort of afraid these will have a solid stateish sound to them.

[iGrant]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=64336.0

Cheers,
Ian

[EthanH]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the SEDs in comparison to the ValveArts; I use cryo'd ValveArt EL34s and like them.  They're not the most detailed tubes I've used and the bass is a little flabby, but they have a nice fullness to them and don't rip my ears off.  I'll have to keep my eyes open for a reasonable deal on the Teslas; I have a pair of Tesla (not JJ) 12AX7s and like them a lot.

[starkiller]

The EI 6ca7's sound great in my C-J amp, as do the Matsushita ones.

[Tyson]

Gold Lion KT66's are a very good sub for the EL34's, one of the best tubes I've heard.

[Ericus Rex]

I'll second that vote.  Tried EL34s (Tesla & JJ, SED, Mullard reissues), 6CA7 (Ei), KT88 (Shuguang) in my Quicksilver and have settled on the GL KT66.  Very punchy, very even across the frequency range.

Gold Lion KT66's are a very good sub for the EL34's, one of the best tubes I've heard.

[vonwaffen]

Hello Sir,

  Over the last 15 years, I've had the opportunity of hearing lot of  nice tubes in my rigs, including many greatly over-priced NOS EL 34 offerings from Amperex, Mullard, and Telefunken.
   Personally, although I found the NOS tubes a step up, again, it's just hard to justify the prices as we all are noticing.
   In any case, in my humble opinion, a tube that's still quite reasonable in price and sounds wonderful across the spectrum is the NOS Matsushita tubes made in Japan.
   Morever, they still show up here and there in NOS form for about $25-$30 a tube. If possible, I suggest you give them a try if they fit your budget.
   God bless and have a nice holiday season,
   Paul
   

[chrisby]

I've been running a quad of Winged-C Svetlanas in my Jolida 302 (P/P)  for 7 or 8 yrs now, and like 'em a lot - certainly more so than either the standard Shuguang or Telsa red-glass that I've had occasion to borrow.

I've also heard lots of good things about, but not yet heard any of the Shuguang Treasure series;  which include EL34/6CA7, KT66, KT88, and for DHT fans,  2A3 & 300B, as well as 6SN7

Not for the faint of wallet, but my understanding is that those who've made the leap of faith ( almost NOS pricing for new production Chinese tubes !) have not been disappointed.

[dangerbird]

I  am partial to the old Teslas' in my quickies as well.