tung sol reissue vs. mullard reissue el34

marvda1

anyone compare the tung sol reissue el34 to the mullard reissue el34?

organ

Which one are you using at the moment? I plan to get the TS soon but I do have experience with the Mullard reissue. The Mullard sound a lot like the SED =C= but with much better control and extension on the bass. High frequency extension is better too. But it doesn't have that "magical" midrange and colorful highs the =C= EL34 is most famous for.

The Tung Sol is an EL34B. I remember reading somewhere that the ones with a "B" designation have some differences and are more like a 6CA7. The Shuguang EL34B sounds like a 6CA7 to me.

Taken from thetubestore... From the manufacturer: "The Tungsol EL34-B is a higher impedance EL34 tube design with increased touch responsiveness and a unique clipping characteristic with a hint of the 6L6 sound."

They're talking about guitar there but it does indicate that it's a higher impedance EL34.

marvda1

now i have eh 6ca7's and shuguang el34b's

organ

You might want to try a standard EL34. More tubey sounding than the 6CA7/EL34B family. The =C= is the best if you're looking for a sweeter sound, especially in the mids and highs.

doctor r

I used the Tung Sol EL34B for a period of time in my amps comparing them to the SED EL34s which were always my favorites (always looking for something better as we all do). I was determined not to pursue NOS power tubes since they have such a finite life and once you find what you love you cannot expect to replace it without a mortgage on your home. The Tung Sol were nicely extended on the top and bottom with a lot of drive, but I initially found them to be very two dimensional in their presentation. I gave them about 150 hours break-in before deciding to change back to the SED and compare. My initial thoughts had not changed. The three dimensional sound stage returned with the SED. The Tung Sols presentation was very balanced top to bottom and presented a wide soundstage, but it had no depth. I did about 5 swaps (long process with the biasing that was needed for my Shanling Amps) and ultimately decided I would not live without that wonderful midrange and deep sound stage of the SEDs. I found a new home for the Tung Sols. Other tubes I have auditioned - New Sensor Svetlana, New Sensor Mullard, Late production Seimens, and the Genlex KT-77. I continued to came back to the SED EL34s until I moved to my present KT88 based amp. I still have the SP-80 Monoblocks, but they will be available soon for a new home.

Joe08867

I would go Mullard over Tung Sol all day.

heiney9

I have to agree with doctor r that the SED =C= is about the best I've heard for a new production tube. I have heard the reissue Mullards and while they weren't that bad, the =C= has a sweetness as well as detail that's unmatched. The Mullards did bass a tad better, but they were somewhat 2-D when the =C= is very 3-D and IMO, it's because of the superbly transparent midrange the =C= has.

I too won't spend the $$$ on original Mullards or Tele's. I also use the =C= 6L6GC in another amp and it has the same characteristics. I am now trying to hoard enough for the future since they are that good.

All that said I have not heard the Tung Sol reissue.

The JJ E34L is another superb tube, but as with all JJ's they can be inconsistent from time to time, but the E34L is based on the Genelax KT77 and the bass is HUGE w/o being bloated and it has almost as good a 3-D soundstage as the =C=, the upper treble is a tad more forward but not etched or harsh. It's a slightly more powerful tube than a typical EL34 and it has very thick glass and mica spacers.

I have a pair of original 1978 Tesla EL34's and those are sweet and very similar the =C= actually. Prices on Telsa EL34's are going out of sight so I don't recommend them if value is an issue. I also have EH EL34's and they are pretty average, a little hashy in the upper midrange and very slightly ragged treble when compared to the smooth and open =C= and JJ E34L.

The E34L's I have are marked Siemens and were one of the last production runs of tubes made in the old Tesla factory before JJ took over so I am basing the E34L performance on those, not currently available JJ E34L's, which look identical right down to the thicker than average glass.

Hope this helps even though it's not exactly the question you asked.

H9

brianle

I have the Tungsol EL34b but the SED will be my next tube to try

brunk

i prefer the mullards myself, but they can be an expensive endeavor. buy from a trusted/reputable source.

doctorcilantro

Resurrecting this thread...

I just had another PSVANE Type II fail so going back to the Mullard re-issues from Upscale. I like the Mullards so far; one is a little microphonic but they are incredibly tightly matched.

I'm ordering the SED EL34 and maybe a pair of Tesla OO getter EL34 to try as well.

stretchl

Very glad to see this thread back up, as I'm shopping for my first set of replacement tubes. These will be for my Yaqin MC-10t.

Doc, is this the PSVANE tube you had fail? It sounds like you've had problems with several?

http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/store/products/6ca7-t-quad/

I was about to pull the switch on these but now that I read this thread I'm leaning toward the JJ's. I would like to have a bit more bass.

doctorcilantro

No they were the Type II:

http://www.partsconnexion.com/TUBPT2-76715.html

I didn't order from PC though, but linda@tube-sale.com.

I'm not sure what's wrong with them but I might get all 3 back to my friend's Amplitrex in the USA next month and find out.

larry777

There is Winged =C= EL34's on Canada Canuck Audio Mart for sale at $150 for... SIX. Just in case anyone is interested. Seller has over 340 sales and is rated 100%. The tube measurements are listed.