Anyone replaced EL34'S with 6CA7?

Mikelamury

Mikelamury

New member
I'm thinking about replacing the EL34'S in my DSL40CR with 6CA7's, from what I gather so far they have a more 6L6 type sound and that might help me to play the DSL40CR more as I don't like the sound of the current stock EL34'S. If anyone has any information on what these tubes sound like it would be much appreciated. Thanks everyone.
 
6CA7 is the USA designation for EL-34 which is European.
If you're refereeing to the current Russian made EH 6CA7 is basically not much different than any other Russian New Sensor but i hear they sound okay.
 
The originals were an American EL-34, but they were "harder" meaning they held together better when pushed, so that would be the 6L6 comparison. I did it back in the 80s/90s and liked it, I think some guy named Ed used to do it some. Be sure to rebias for them, I think it is a little different.

If you are running the DSL40 at low volumes, not sure how much you will notice it, power tubes usually show their colors more when they are working.

What do you dislike about the DSL, i.e. what are you trying to change?
 
devastone said:
The originals were an American EL-34, but they were "harder" meaning they held together better when pushed, so that would be the 6L6 comparison. I did it back in the 80s/90s and liked it, I think some guy named Ed used to do it some. Be sure to rebias for them, I think it is a little different.

If you are running the DSL40 at low volumes, not sure how much you will notice it, power tubes usually show their colors more when they are working.

What do you dislike about the DSL, i.e. what are you trying to change?
Click to expand...

I'm not liking the specific mid frequency that the EL34's are pushing. I like heavy mids just not that specific mid frequency that the EL34's are enhancing. I'm wanting a more kind open mids and slightly more bass
 
Amps I have with 6CA7s are brighter, clearer, break up maybe a little bit later, but not like 6L6GCs. The 6CA7s just sound like a brighter flavor of EL34 to me.

FWIW most of the mids I hear in my Marshalls is more the speaker/cab design and the circuit itself. I believe that because the same EL34s in other amps doesn't have that same heavy mid punch Marshalls do, IME.
 
Mikelamury said:
I'm not liking the specific mid frequency that the EL34's are pushing. I like heavy mids just not that specific mid frequency that the EL34's are enhancing. I'm wanting a more kind open mids and slightly more bass
Click to expand...

What speaker do you have in the DSL, or if you are using external cabs, what speakers are in those? Not saying you won't like the 6CA7s, but sounds like it "might' be the speakers.

And, are we talking bedroom levels or "band" levels?
 
devastone said:
What speaker do you have in the DSL, or if you are using external cabs, what speakers are in those? Not saying you won't like the 6CA7s, but sounds like it "might' be the speakers.

And, are we talking bedroom levels or "band" levels?
Click to expand...

I use it mostly with the V type that came with the DSL40CR but I've plugged it into my 2x12 with v30's and not much different result. I'm totally using house levels of volume.
 
Mikelamury said:
I use it mostly with the V type that came with the DSL40CR but I've plugged it into my 2x12 with v30's and not much different result. I'm totally using house levels of volume.
Click to expand...

I remember the threads about the HB cabinet and seems like the DSL isn't that old, right? The speakers might not be broken in yet. FWIW, V30s (the "v-type" is a budget V30) do have a lot of midrange 'honk", so it very well could be the speakers. I haven't used V30s in a long time just for that reason, although been thinking about trying them again because my tastes have changed some.

And house levels really don't open the output tubes up, you're probably only running at 3 - 5 watts.

6CA7s were great tubes, not really familiar with current runs and NOS ones like in JMP/HBE's pic will probably cost 1/2 as much as you paid for the amp. Like anything, get some current ones, it's always worth a shot, and if you don't notice much difference, you have a backup set of tubes. Don't rule out different speakers too, maybe find a decently used speaker to try.
 
devastone said:
I remember the threads about the HB cabinet and seems like the DSL isn't that old, right? The speakers might not be broken in yet. FWIW, V30s (the "v-type" is a budget V30) do have a lot of midrange 'honk", so it very well could be the speakers. I haven't used V30s in a long time just for that reason, although been thinking about trying them again because my tastes have changed some.

And house levels really don't open the output tubes up, you're probably only running at 3 - 5 watts.

6CA7s were great tubes, not really familiar with current runs and NOS ones like in JMP/HBE's pic will probably cost 1/2 as much as you paid for the amp. Like anything, get some current ones, it's always worth a shot, and if you don't notice much difference, you have a backup set of tubes. Don't rule out different speakers too, maybe find a decently used speaker to try.
Click to expand...

A matched quad of NOS Blackburn Amperex EL-34's will set you back $1200 to $1800 if you can even find them.
 
He only needs a duet, so I stand corrected, a matched pair will set you back "as much as" the amp cost (swagging at both of course).
 
It depends on your speakers, with V30s or greebacks or similar -the differences will likely be rolled off mostly -but with something like a G70 the chimey brights will be noticeable IME
 
Last edited:
devastone said:
I remember the threads about the HB cabinet and seems like the DSL isn't that old, right? The speakers might not be broken in yet. FWIW, V30s (the "v-type" is a budget V30) do have a lot of midrange 'honk", so it very well could be the speakers. I haven't used V30s in a long time just for that reason, although been thinking about trying them again because my tastes have changed some.

And house levels really don't open the output tubes up, you're probably only running at 3 - 5 watts.

6CA7s were great tubes, not really familiar with current runs and NOS ones like in JMP/HBE's pic will probably cost 1/2 as much as you paid for the amp. Like anything, get some current ones, it's always worth a shot, and if you don't notice much difference, you have a backup set of tubes. Don't rule out different speakers too, maybe find a decently used speaker to try.
Click to expand...

Yes if I put them in I'm definitely going to buy current ones that aren't too expensive. I have a A type speaker I'm going be putting in my 1x12 when I get around to it. Maybe that will make a difference. Will let everyone know when I get it done.(I've been extra busy lately but have some time around the holidays off coming up)
 
Mikelamury said:
Yes if I put them in I'm definitely going to buy current ones that aren't too expensive. I have a A type speaker I'm going be putting in my 1x12 when I get around to it. Maybe that will make a difference. Will let everyone know when I get it done.(I've been extra busy lately but have some time around the holidays off coming up)
Click to expand...

I'd recommend separating these changes by at least a week so your ear knows which amp change is causing which sound change.
 
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