EL34 or 6L6

[jestaudio]

hi folks, hopefully someone can give a answer, my H&K switchblade mk1 is due a new set of power valves, currently EL34 TAD which I,m not keen on, if I can get the bias range can anyone see any problem with other octal alternatives

[Stevem]

unlike the ELs a 6CA7 is a beam type power tubes like a 6L6GC and will bias in real close to EL34.
The best made and sounding 34s right now are JJs, very punchy and not brash on the top when pushed to clipping, and the groovertubes version of the JJ (EL34S) has been up rated with beefer plates to a 30 watt rating.
The new TAD6L6GC is a good sounding tube and may be easyer to find in the UK, but you will as you posted need to get atleast -48 volts of bias on hand.
How much AC voltage do you have coming into the bias recto?

[starlite22]

Hello Gents

What is a bios recto?

Gday

unlike the ELs a 6CA7 is a beam type power tubes like a 6L6GC and will bias in real close to EL34.
The best made and sounding 34s right now are JJs, very punchy and not brash on the top when pushed to clipping, and the groovertubes version of the JJ (EL34S) has been up rated with beefer plates to a 30 watt rating.
The new TAD6L6GC is a good sounding tube and may be easyer to find in the UK, but you will as you posted need to get atleast -48 volts of bias on hand.
How much AC voltage do you have coming into the bias recto?

[sepulchre]

What is a bios recto?

It's the bias voltage rectifier. Being the bias voltage, it's negative relative to the main voltage supply.

[The New Steve H]

I stuck 4 Mullard EL34s in my last amp, and it's really wonderful. No harshness.

[jestaudio]

I stuck 4 Mullard EL34s in my last amp, and it's really wonderful. No harshness.

I would love to be able to afford genuine mullards lol

[Ken Moon]

Another interesting possibility is the JJ KT77.

A quick internet search will bring up lots of opinions about the tone , but to me it sounds a lot like a 6L6 and is closer in bias requirements to an EL34.

[The New Steve H]

I would love to be able to afford genuine mullards lol

Well, they're what the Russians CALL "Mullards."

[NickC]

I would love to be able to afford genuine mullards lol

Well, they're what the Russians CALL "Mullards."

Not British!?!?!? Sacrebleu !!!

So, does that make 'em Russlards or Mullians?

[jestaudio]

I would love to be able to afford genuine mullards lol

Well, they're what the Russians CALL "Mullards."

What...................................................lol

[jestaudio]

6L6 are definatly out, 490v is a bit to close to the operating limits for me so el34 variants it is then

[The New Steve H]

I would love to be able to afford genuine mullards lol

Well, they're what the Russians CALL "Mullards."

What...................................................lol

The label says "Mullard," but they're from Russia.

https://tubedepot.com/products/mullard- ... acuum-tube

I am not sure where the original Mullards came from, and I am too lazy to Google.

[sepulchre]

I am not sure where the original Mullards came from

England.

[Invertiguy]

6L6 are definatly out, 490v is a bit to close to the operating limits for me so el34 variants it is then

Not necessarily. You could always use these