SED WIng C still the new EL34 to buy or ?

thsmith

I could not resist and picked up another Anthem Amp 1.

When I had my first one I used some 6CA7s I got from Jesse, forget who made them but not likely to find those as they were hard to find back then.

I had tried some SED WIng C EL34s and recall liking them.

Anything else I should look at?

heiney9

Probably the best new production tube going, IMO. Prices skyrocketed, luckily I was hoarding some. The Original Tesla's are very nice but almost as pricey and original Mullards.

H9

Tbone289

I still see the SED winged C mentioned as the "best" frequently. Another I see mentioned often lately is the Electro-Harmonix fat-bottle 6CA7. I don't think they're as highly regarded as the SED, but nice for the price.

thsmith

Thanks H9 and Tbone.

heiney9

JJ E34L's are nice, based loosely on the original GEC KT77. The pair I own have been great, but they are older. New JJ's seem to be all over the board quality/longevity wise. Still a very deep, solid bottom end. Not quite as nice up top as the =C= SED, but not hashy or harsh just not quite as extended. As good a midrange as =C= SED. If you system is already a tad bass heavy the JJ E34L (not EL34) might be a little to heavy handed. Never boomy, but lots of solid bass authority without sounding bloated.

I'd choose the JJ's over the EH's, IMO. Haven't heard an EH that has really impressed me.

H9

zingo

I enjoy the new Gold Lion KT77s as well; very detailed tube.

george daniel

Try calling Mike Sanders of Quicksilver. He may still have the old Tesla's in stock,,at least he did about a year ago.

Dawgfish

Congrats on picking up another Amp-1. I'm really enjoying mine. I remember when I bought mine you made a great recommendation for a good sounding tube compliment for it, so its my time to return the favor. You recommend to me running a Sylvania TM BP 5751, a pair of RCA Cleartop 12AU7s, and the Wing C EL34s. That is a great sounding combo, but if you get a chance try a RCA TM BP 5751, a pair of CBS Hytron BP 5814s, and the Wing C EL 34s. I'm really digging this combo. Congrats again and welcome back to the club!

F1nut

thsmith wrote: »

I could not resist and picked up another Anthem Amp 1.

When I had my first one I used some 6CA7s I got from Jesse, forget who made them but not likely to find those as they were hard to find back then.

I had tried some SED WIng C EL34s and recall liking them.

Anything else I should look at?

Tracy, those were Ei 6CA7's. I think I still have a quad or two around here, if you're interested. Others that I'd recommend are the Treasure 6CA7-Z's. I never liked any of the EL34's, the 6CA7's just have more balls.

thsmith

Dawgfish wrote: »

Congrats on picking up another Amp-1. I'm really enjoying mine. I remember when I bought mine you made a great recommendation for a good sounding tube compliment for it, so its my time to return the favor. You recommend to me running a Sylvania TM BP 5751, a pair of RCA Cleartop 12AU7s, and the Wing C EL34s. That is a great sounding combo, but if you get a chance try a RCA TM BP 5751, a pair of CBS Hytron BP 5814s, and the Wing C EL 34s. I'm really digging this combo. Congrats again and welcome back to the club!

I found an RCA riple mica BP D getter in my stash and several cleartops.

F1nut wrote: »

Tracy, those were Ei 6CA7's. I think I still have a quad or two around here, if you're interested. Others that I'd recommend are the Treasure 6CA7-Z's. I never liked any of the EL34's, the 6CA7's just have more balls.

The joy of being able to secure some more of those Eis.

Dawgfish

thsmith wrote: »

I found an RCA riple mica BP D getter in my stash and several cleartops.

Awesome! It sounds like you are set. If you come across any early to mid 50's CBS-Hytron BP 5814s give them a try also. I recently introduced a new digital cable in my system (Acoustic Zen MC2) that happens to be a silver cable. The cable sounds awesome but being silver it made the highs a little more pronounced. The Cleartops have more extension in the highs than the CBS 5814s (which have more midrange warmth), so they were a little on the bright side with the new digital cable while they were perfect before. The cleartops may be the cat's meow for your system.

heiney9

Tube Depot has =C= on sale right now. $10/pr discount, just an FYI.

On another note, just don't get what all the fuss is about with the clear tops. Probably my least fave, but again it's all about synergy. I was prepared to finally "like" a more inexpensive tube, but they are just too bright and forward for my liking. 1959 Mullard Mithcham is where it's at or early Sylvania JHS black plates.

Have fun

H9

Dawgfish

The cleartops definitely have more top end extension than any other 12AU7 type I have tried. Used alone they would be to much for my tastes and with my new silver digital cable, are too much for my system. Used in combinations with other more laid back tubes, they are not that bad however. If you have a system that's maybe too laid back or are looking for top end extension, these will definitely help. Still there are definitely more balanced tubes out there. I'm really digging the CBS 5814s right now for 12AU7 types. Great detail and soundstage, good bass, very warm and liquid mid-range, and extended highs (though not as extended as the cleartops).

Devlon

A friend of mine likes dealing with this company so I thought I would pass it on:

vintagetubeservices.com

doctor r

I agree with F1 that the 6ca7'tubes have a little more drive, but in my amps I preferred the SED EL34 over most other modern production. I never tried the Treasures but I rolled the New Sensor versions of Mullards, Tung Sol, Svetlana, and Genex KT 77. I always came back to the SEDs. The KT77 had better base and sharp detail, but traded away most of the 3D soundstage and a lot of the magic I was looking for left with it.

doctor r

Andy at Vintage Tube Service is excellent to deal with and talk to. He can discuss your goals and give great insight as to how things may come together. His website is worth visiting just for some of the tube history and testing he can perform. He has great NOS tubes, but the real value he has is in what he calls Andy's Perfect Picks that are used, but truly tested for all desired parameters and much less expensive.

Spiffyfast

F1nut wrote: »

Tracy, those were Ei 6CA7's. I think I still have a quad or two around here, if you're interested. Others that I'd recommend are the Treasure 6CA7-Z's. I never liked any of the EL34's, the 6CA7's just have more balls.

I actually ended up with this amp-1 and the EI 6ca7's from F1nut that I just rolled in tonight after having a mish mash of EL34s for around a month, completely blown away at the difference in sound.

thsmith

Glad you are enjoying the amp and tubes. You have really transformed your setup since getting the 2Bs.

F1, DK, Larry, George Daniels, H9 and many others here at CP have made a huge impact in how and what I listen to music on. Always willing to share and help. I have not found another forum that is as helpful as CP. The knowledge and experience is unbeatable.

Stick around and post some pics Spiffy