Tube amps and speaker ohms

Great vintage monoblocks if you can find them. The put out 100 w/ch and weigh about 45 lbs each. The irons are monstrous, but they sound increadible with low efficiency/low impediance speakers.

I think the point Newbee made about the EL34 versus KT88/6550/KT90 is something that REALLY needs to be lauded. EXCELLENT POINT!!!

The EL34 is a tube that is going to be in many of these amplifiers. And, while it is my favorite of the traditional push-pull amplifier tubes, it does has its shortcomings. As Newbee pointed out, you are going to give up those low frequencies (and overall power) in exchange for those wonderful mids. Please be aware of this.

Another tube to consider is the KT77 made by JJ. VERY powerful bass, and good power overall. You still don't match those EL34 mids. Consider it a great tube slotting between the EL34 and the KT88. In more than a few amps, we actually heard MORE emphatic bass with the KT77 than the bigger tubes, combined with some seriously better midrange.

My new Leben CS-600 can use 6L6GC, EL34, KT66, KT77, and KT88 among others. I find I enjoy the 6L6GC (RCA Black plates) more than SED Winged "C" EL34 because the 6L6 produce a larger and more open sound, IMO.

I was curious to try KT88, but Trelja's comment about the KT77 caught my attention. What's a good modern production KT77...JJ?

Tvad - FWIW, dealing with like kinds, ie SED's, I found the 6l6GC slightly mellow thru the upper mids/highs compared to the EL34 in both of my Primaluna amps which were primarily designed around the EL34 or the KT88 and to my ears both sound best with that the tube around which it was designed. I've been sort of interested in hearing an amp designed around 6L6's but I haven't found one yet. I tried them in my Baron but they were to hot - I'd have to get it modded (it takes 5881's).

JJ is the only maker of KT77's right now that I'm aware of. On AA several posters have been high on the sound they make, but there is some strong comments on quality control and pin size. FWIW - you probably already knew that.

05-28-07: Newbee
Tvad - FWIW, dealing with like kinds, ie SED's, I found the 6l6GC slightly mellow thru the upper mids/highs compared to the EL34 in both of my Primaluna amps...

I noticed just the opposite in the Leben. Interesting. It might have to do with the brand of tube being compared.

Thanks for the info on the JJ tubes. Quality control is extremely important. It makes the Osram KT77 tubes at $200 ea start to look like a good value if you tend to burn through bad JJ tube after bad JJ tube.