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EL34 equivalent tube types

I've had a Coincident Dynamo 34SE sitting around for my bedroom system, and I just on a lark decided to hook it to my main system for some 100% tube/analog listening sessions. I'm actually amazed at the sound this 8 watt amp is putting out.  Right now it's equipped with the (I believe) stock EL34 tubes (from tubedepot). Just looking around, vintage tubes seem to be extremely expensive, but are there equivalent drop in replacements that I could be looking at? Just to play around with, nothing serious.

This is also making me consider a more powerful tube integrated (my speaker makes recommend at least 30 wpc tube amps), but similar topics already exist so I wont create another thread for it.
nitewulf
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Joe, here here, the Shuggie is a fantastic tube, and one of the very best values out there. Super call.

I still have a quad of the welded plate EH 6CA7s and while I am not partial to them, I can see how some will go crazy over them. A beam power tube has a different sound quality than a tetrode does, and I think those that like the 6550 will enjoy it’s uptown cousin the 6CA7. The later, crimped plate, EH 6CA7 has a subtly different sound to it.

In my collection I have a big bottle Sovtek 6CA7 quad from the late 70s or early 80s that seems to be repurposed 6L6 variants. Very interesting, but not so good. But we’re not talking vintage here or I would bring up my favorite Teslas.
noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
Would a 7581a work? Tung Sol have a new tube out that is real nice. Super bass and crystal highs. I replaced a quad of 6L6GC with them.
ronrags's avatar
ronrags
182 posts
 
+1 for GL KT77. Smooth and non fatiguing
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Some folks like 6L6 variants as a sub for EL34s. The Dyna ST70 manual actually says to use these in a pinch. So 7581/KT66/6L6 would all work.

They are certainly not electrical equivalents of the EL 34 family, and should not be considered direct subs, but some will like the distortion spectra and your power transformer should run a little cooler.
rotaryphone
159 posts
 
I also like the GL kt77 the best in new production lines of new tubes. Smooth and clean with good details. It just lacks little punch in lower region, so voice is not as rich as NOS  tubes. 
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