Background
EL34 is an output pentode originally developed by Dutch Philips back in mid 1950's.
EL34 can deliver up to 100W in class B push pull operation.
With high output capability in
smaller envelope, EL34 became very popular in audio and PA applications.
The success of EL34 led to introduction of higher output audio tubes such as 6550 by TungSol, then to KT88 by M.O.V.
6CA7 is the American desgination for EL34. European EL34's were re-marked and sold in US as 6CA7,
but GE and Sylvania eventually designed and produced their own "Fat Boy" 6CA7 tubes that sound considerably different than EL34.
KT77 is also an EL34 compatible beam power tube originally designed by M.O.V. KT77 was specifically targeted for top of the line audio applcation.
Today, wide variety of EL34 / 6CA7 / KT77 are produced by Russian, Chinese and Slovakian manufacturers.
EL34 Tubes
We currently stock a wide variety of EL34 pentode tubes from Electro-Harmonix, Svetlana, JJ, Mullard, TungSol, SED and Shuguang/ValveArt.
These tubes all feature that wonderful EL34 mid-range.
Whether it's the signature Marshall sound, or that wonderful smooth texture in Hi-Fi audio that you are looking for,
these EL34 will not disappoint you.
We have a difficult time recommending one over the other, but the following is our attempt at it.
Svetlana EL34-SV, JJ E34L
and SED EL34-WC are all excellent for both guitar and audio applications.
In guitar amps, these tubes produce pronounced mids. In audio application, they
provide velvet smooth mid-range that matches especially well with female vocals.
Mullard EL34 is our favorite because of that little extra we get form this tube that makes it stand out from the other EL34 tubes.
Mullard EL34 delivers mids with excellent presence, along with high end shimmer and ample controlled bottom end.
New! - We started testing TungSol EL34B, and we very much like this tube. Please check back for review of this wonderful EL34!
The Chinese EL34B offers perhaps the best balance of top, mids and the bottom.
For the best value, you can't beat Electro-Harmonix EL34EH. This tube is very smooth all around, providing good value at good price point.
6CA7
Fat-bottle 6CA7 can handle higher voltage and popwer, and is a direct drop-in for EL34.
We carry 6CA7EH form Electro-Harmonix. This tube is rugged, reliable and very consistently made.
In audio amps, 6CA7EH offers quite a bit more pop and punch than EL34 types. This makes it very suitable for contemporary recording.
In guitar amps, 6CA7EH provides gobs of headroom, and when pushed, it has a fat roar that is perfect for rock tones.
KT77
It's no secrect that the original KT77 was designed to be the best-of-the-best audio pentode output tube.
JJ KT77 provides very good bottom end with dynamics, along with pop and snap that you don't get out of EL34s .
JJ KT77 also has good articulation in the high end. Due to this, sound imaging is quite good just as JJ KT88 is.
This is currently one of our favorite tubes in audio. To date, we have received the most unsolicited positive feedback from
our customers worldwide on this tube than any other product we carry.
Genalex Gold Lion KT77 is built with some of the highest quality we have see in current production tubes. The micas are punched clean,
plate boxes are pressed together neatly, solder finish on the pins are absolutely gorgeous, and the bottle height is very uniform.
In an audio applcation, Gold Lion KT77 retains the luscious EL34 mids while adding bottom and high ends of 6L6. It's the best of both worlds in this sense,
and it manages contemporary materials very well.
In a guitar amp, Gold Lion KT77 provides good amount of high end. When pushed, it brings out more bite that is very good for Rock material.
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