sweet, euphonic, reasonably powerful tube amp?

For fear of making even more generalities here we all have our deserved experience based opinions but lets dabble a bit more with [hopefully] more of these and not our pre-conceived notions. As stated above, circuit design can significantly extract uncharacteristic impressions from tube types you'd never suspect (both positively and negatively), so I find it prudent to reiterate the minimal use of the terms "good or bad" when it comes to the general description of a certain tube-type's sound. With that said, personally I haven't found an EL-34 based tube amp that I didn't find appealing in its overall musical delivery They are generally characterized by a "lusher" sounding midrange and as such will typically deliver some extraordinary vocals and many stringed instruments also sound particularly warm and inviting. It's frequency extremes are sometimes less impressive because the top end MAY come across as a bit rolled off and the bottom may not be as extended as others. This is only IMHO, as there are many others who are far more experienced in specific tube rolling and swapping brands of NOS, etc, who can fill you in better than I. As for the VTL house sound, I believe it is considered a good natural and lifelike midrange, powerful, punchy lows, and "pleasant" but not necessarily extended highs.... and this has been my personal experiences with them. The 6550 based amps will probably be a little more extended at both extremes and a bit less lush sounding in the mids.. I've grown accustomed to this sound (especially with the EL-34 based amp) and as I said before, am "re-adjusting" to the CJ sound (using the 6550's). Triode mode will differ from a 6550 (brighter) to an EL-34 (more romantic) also, and this is what I was basing my first response to your inquiry on. There are plenty of other ways to "persuade" your end result sound such as speaker cables and I/C's as well as powercords.... each area is another can of worms to sift through... and that would be another thread too. Good luck.

Well said Lissnr. I think you have the basic sound of EL34 versus 6550/KT88(a little different than 6550)correct as implemented in most amplifiers. I switch from EL34 to KT88 in my Music Reference RM9SE to get just the difference you describe based on the type of music I'm listening to.

I'm not sure what Mrtennis' experiences are with EL34s, but I'm suprised to hear him say "not kind to the ear"; they are kind to my ears, but we all hear differently and have different expecations.

This has been a terrifically helpful thread and I thank all the contributors.

Today I bought a 2nd hand CJ Premier 11, which I'm having sent to Bill Thalman to upgrade, etc. So I will experience what I guess would be a "mid-period" CJ sound, which should sound different from the VTL and the ARC. If it doesn't work for me, I'll try something else.

That having been said, let me ask the EL34 fans, what are some of your favorite EL34 amps that have the lush, warm and inviting sound to which you refer? (Maybe I should have bought one of those...and maybe that will be next...who can't help but be attracted to the notion of "audio as warm bath," after all?)

Funny that you asked about 75 vs. 75SE. I started out with BAT 150, I liked the sound but it sure wasn't head and shoulder above say ARC VT-100 II/III or SF Power 2 or 2SE which I have all heard in the same system for an extended period of time. Among them, ARC VT-100 III was probably my least favorite because it was sterile and analytical, it was like listening to hi-fi. MK II and SF 2SE are similar in the sense that they both offer sweetness without being tubey. If I had to choose between them, I will pick SF 2SE for ease of tube bias and look.

as soon as I plug in 75SE, all questions were answered. it has everything I want from an amp. top end is pristine, transparent, and extended. but unlike ARC III, it is not analytical or hi-fi sounding. speed is also the forte of 75SE, I haven't heard tube amp to sound so quick and fast before.

davidgarretson on Audiogon is a great guy who will share his experience on how to further improve the 75SE. I will be selling mine soon since I moved up to 150SE, still not sure if that's the best decision I made since 6C33 does generate a lot of heat.

You can guess my vote... my VTL MB-125's stayed in my system longer than any single component ever did for very good reason (about 7 years). The tetrode mode could kick butt all over the place and the triode mode ( mostly late night listening) was the unifying thread between a good cabernet, candle light, and all that romantic kind of stuff.... what it did for intimate vocals and the fireplace-on-a-cold-winter-night thing was incredible. The Premier 11 will be very very close to my changeover to the Premier 12's was...as per above; I suspect you'll like it more than your ARC based on what you've been saying and it may be a good step in the right direction without going too far right away. Good luck with it and keep us informed.