Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

[UberMetalDood]

This is about as close to a real XTC 20th 6L6 vs. XTC 20th EL34 comparison as you're going to get. The first 1/2 is my XTC 20th preamp only through my Goldfinger 90 EL34 power section. The 2nd 1/2 of the audio is straight through XTC 20th. All settings stayed exactly the same since all I had to do was unplug one cable from the back. What I noticed were very subtle differences. EL34's are slightly spongier and tighter and 6L6's have a bit more girth and articulation. From what I've heard, this is very consistent with what people who have used both versions say.

Neither is better. Surprisingly, I thought I would prefer EL34's but I actually like it with 6L6's. Nothing is missing at all. No mids are missing or anything. It's quite unique. The more I play it, the more I admire it.

I used my Goldfinger 90 not because it was my only option, but because the Goldfinger 90 has the same transformers and tubes as a stock XTC 101B. It's about as close as you can get in my opinion. I used the blue channel with boost and the only difference between rhythm and lead was a slight increase in record input level so the lead sound would stand out more. They sound virtually the same but you can hear the subtle differences I spoke of if you listen closely. Here it is for what it's worth. If anything, it's just a personal validation that I wouldn't be any happier with the EL34 version.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12061108

 

[DankStar]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

I don't hear much difference. If push came to shove, I'd say number 2 is slightly clearer, but really they sound the same.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

Yeah listening to those clips through PC speakers is almost useless. Cool playing though!

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

I really want to try one of these heads just to see if I would really love it because it seems versatile enough to do what I would need it for. Only problem is none of the stores around here carry one and I cant afford one new not yet at least. Do you know how much It cost your friend for the head and cab together? Im tryna find one maybe used and see if I could maybe afford a used one but I doubt it. Oh and Is the Ecstasy A great amp like on a scale of 1-10 how well did you like it?

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

I preferred the 6L6's which doesn't really surprise me as my Cornford is set up with them. Cool demo too.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

Yep. I'm honestly surprised that I like the 6L6's better on this amp since I EL34's are always my favorite overall. If I go with the 101B, it's not going to be because of the EL34's. It will be because I actually like that it's a bit more compressed and forgiving than the 20th Anniversary. Plus the headshell is smaller. It brings to mind another amp I quite enjoy which is the Electra Dyne. I have used 6L6 and EL34 tubes in it and don't have a preference for either. Both sound as good with very subtle differences. That is also a great amp, but not nearly as versatile as the XTC.

 

[glassman]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

I hate to be the guy who pees in someone else's little red wagon but unless both examples used the same amp's power supply, it's not really a valid representation. EL34s pull a lot more power at full signal than 6L6s which in turn pulls the rest of the amps voltages down more. The effect produces a dynamic feel as the voltages dive and recover. Using a separate amp for the power section nulls this; the amp's power rails don't move without an active power section to pull them down; this creates a compression effect which wouldn't be there otherwise.

My guess is that if you had put the EL34s in the amp, it would have had loads of punch over that of the 6L6 setup. If the filtering was just right, it would have more bloom as well.

You can take two identical amplifiers, using the preamp from one amp and the power amp from the other, connect through the send-return in the loops, and it will sound and feel different than either of the amps individually. Some amps are more dramatic than others.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

Hell I don't know. Perhaps you're far more knowledgeable than I am; however, you have to plug into my setup and hear it for yourself. It's consistent with what anyone who has played both versions says. I didn't crank it up, but the volume was like a very loud TV set. Switching power sections didn't result in any drop in volume or loss of any kind of quality as far as I can tell. Perhaps there is something unique about how Bogners are built that makes it work best. I'm not going to argue with you because, like I said, you probably know a lot more than I do. All I can say is that it seems to have worked quite well.

I used the FX send to the FX return on my Goldfinger. That sends out preamp only. I heard about someone who did this test before used the line out and that apparently includes the power amp so other than modifying my XTC, this is about as close as I'm going to get to a comparison.

 

[glassman]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

At your settings, the power supply wouldn't really come into play so it would be a fairly accurate representation of tonal differences between the two. It would be really interesting to hear it at a louder performance level; though to get the tubes really working on that amp would be well beyond typical performance levels. The character in different output tube types really doesn't start to show until they start to get pushed.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

whats wrong with your site glassman??

 

[glassman]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

whats wrong with your site glassman??

I "parked" it since I moved out of the commercial building I was in. For a part time gig (now), I already get enough word of mouth business to keep me really busy. I'll bring it back up at some point with more up to date info.

 

[Stratman]

Re: Bogner XTC 20th Anniversary 6L6 vs EL34 Audio Comparison

Interesting post.

Mine is a 100B and still uses EL34. I have not thought about trying 6L6’s in it until now… Maybe, just maybe? What about GEC KT66’s would current draw be a problem and has anyone tried KT66 tubes yet?

- - - Updated - - -

Interesting post.

Mine is a 100B and still uses EL34. I have not thought about trying 6L6’s in it until now… Maybe, just maybe? What about GEC KT66’s would current draw be a problem and has anyone tried KT66 tubes yet?