JJ EL 84 issues

george daniel

We need more folks like this in the audio world.
and,,in disclosure,,this is who I buy my power output tubes from.

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=tubes&m=244827

heiney9

Thanks George, as you know I avoid current production tubes, but I do use them for power tubes but EL34's. I have some JJ's but they aren't very recent.

H9

VanR

I use JJ EL84's in a couple of my guitar amps. Haven't bought any in a couple of years though, but they are rock solid for me. Also like the JJ 6V6S too. Now that is a tough tube. I run it in my Peavey in place of 6L6GC's .Never breaks a sweat.

organ

I've been avoiding JJ for a while now. I can't believe they've been having issues with their power tubes for this long.

My bad experience with them started with a pair of E34L. Purchased a quad from a reliable source, two had a very slight glow on the plates. Not visible unless all lights were off. So not the seller's fault. I sent them back for a new pair. Same thing, but only one one tube.

Then came the JJ KT77. Couldn't keep a stable bias. Found out a lot of people were having this problem as well. JJ made the pins too small and the contact can become too weak.

I purchased a JJ 5AR4 rectifier one time and got the fireworks show upon initial power up.

Finally, I was re-tubing my EL84 single ended amp and decided to ask the tube vendor if there are known problems with the EL84 like the EL34 family. They said a known problem with it is the glass near the base of the tube can be weak. They can break easy when inserting and removing the tubes.
And finally, I asked them about the KT77. And many years later, they told me the pins are still smaller.

I went with EH for power, rectifier and input tubes and they sound great. I find New Sensor tubes to have excellent build quality and is my overall favorite with current production tubes.

I just wish JJ had better QC. I remember reading a post from one of the tube sellers on audioasylum. He said it's had to tell if the next batch will be good or not. Sometimes he had to send an entire shipment back. This was around 2005 or so. I can't believe it's still happening in 2012.

When those power tubes were working in my set up, they sounded fantastic. But I've been avoiding their power tubes since then.

The JJ tubes I really enjoy and don't have a problem with (only the types I've tried) are the 6822 and 12A*7 family. I really enjoy the sound of these tubes. Very warm and rich, much like Mullard. I can easily live with these current production tubes.

doctor r

Jim McShane is an excellent source for modern production and some NOS tubes. I have acquired a number of SED EL34 quads from him over the years and my GL KT77s when I auditioned them. Well tested and properly matched by Mr. McShane not by the "factory". Highly recommended.

dkg999

Jim McShane is a great guy and has always given me tube advice and recommendations that were spot on. I've bought almost all me new production tubes from him and with his recommendations, testing, and matching the new production tubes sound good and gets you all or most of what NOS tubes cost at a much more reasonable cost.

heiney9

Organ, how long ago did you have issues with the JJ E34L? Was just going to grab another pair for a back up. I have a pair of early 80's Siemens EL34 that are the last of the Tesla stock. They are dead ringers construction-wise for the current JJ E34L which is based on the original Gold Lion KT77. Watford Valves sells "Harma" brand tubes that are identical as well.

Right now I have the Siemens, an original pair of Telsa, two pair of Winged C SED's, a blue pair of JJ EL34 (not E34L) and a pair EH's. Probably don't need another "back-up" pair but the E34L's are ballsier.

H9

VanR

Personally I prefer the Shuguang Chinese EL34B over any other new production EL34 I've tried in my Hughes and Kettner. Running about 500 volts on them and they sound great. I get them at www.tubesandmore.com under the Valve Arts brand.

organ

H9,
That would be around 2004-2005. I think it was a bad batch or something. After almost a day of being used, the plates had a slight glow in one small spot.
The E34L sounds fantastic when they're working. IF your tube sockets are very tight and are able to accept the KT77, you might want to give them a try. I find it has much more dynamics and detail. Sounds more open too.

Have you tried the current production Mullard? I think you will enjoy this one because you like the SED. Very similar presentation but with more extension on both ends.

You have a nice collection there. You can never have too many back ups lol.

From what I hear, eurotubes.com is suppose to be the best source for JJ tubes. I haven't tried them yet. They only sell JJ and do some serious burn in and tests.

VanR,
The Shuguang EL34B are excellent tubes. I used them for some time. It's very detailed and powerful but lack the lush sound of other EL34's (especially SED). It's a great choice if you're into very controlled sound. EH6CA7 and the KT77 family is good for that too.

heiney9

Organ,

The Siemens I have are E34L's, so I know what you mean. I will give the new production Mullards a try.

H9

organ

Cool. Let us know what you think. I'm plan to buy a pair next week to re-tube my amp.