EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

[benjaturner]

Would be interested to hear any opinions as the time has come for a replacement. These are the two more expensive valves available from the site I've always gotten valves from. The Mullads are much cheaper, does this mean they're not as good? Although I've been informed in this forum that the Groove Tubes are over-priced.

Thanks,
Benja

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

The LS series tubes have a proprietary design that allows them to run hotter, thereby giving you a better tone, theoretically.

I would recommend using a 6CA7 tube instead of the EL34 if they can fit in the the amp. The 6CA7 is the American "big bottle" version of the EL34, and is hot swappable.

 

[benjaturner]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

Thanks Twilight,
Will the 6CA7 fit in my amp though? I mean, if the whole amp is setup to feed EL34's won't I need to make some changes somewhere?

-Benja

 

[benjaturner]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

Sorry Twilight,
Have just read up on the 6CA7. Looks cool! Costs a lot more though. Is it really that much better?

 

[Quencho092]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

Would a EL34's>6CA7 be like 6L6's>KT66?? KT66's are the british take on 6L6's, and 6CA7 is the american version of the EL34?

Pretty sweet! Could you put those in a 6L6 amp?

 

[aleclee]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

Will the 6CA7 fit in my amp though? I mean, if the whole amp is setup to feed EL34's won't I need to make some changes somewhere?

I believe TO meant that there was room for the 6CA7 bottles, which tend to be bigger than EL34s.

6CA7s are electrically compatible with EL34s so nothing more needs to be done than you'd do putting in a different EL34. It shouldn't be anything more than a rebias and you're done.

 

[aleclee]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

Sorry Twilight,
Have just read up on the 6CA7. Looks cool! Costs a lot more though. Is it really that much better?

Personally, I like the EH 6CA7 as much as the GT and they're 1/3 the price.

 

[benjaturner]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

Just looked up the price here in the U.K. A matched pair of Groove Tubes 6CA7's is £90 while the E-H equivilent in under £20! That's £20 for the matched pair! Is there much of a difference in terms of quality? I'm not really bothered about value for mony, I just want whatever will give me the best sound I can afford. If the Groove Tubes are better then I don't think £90 is unreasonable.

Thanks,
Benja

 

[aleclee]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

I'm not afraid to spend money on tone but my next set of 6CA7s will be EH, not GT. They're definitely not the same but, like I said earlier, I like the EH model every bit as much as the GT.

 

[benjaturner]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

I'm not afraid to spend money on tone but my next set of 6CA7s will be EH, not GT.

Thanks for the advice Aleclee, I'm going to order a pair on Monday. EH of course!

Is it more likely to be power-amp valves going down than pre-amp valves then?

 

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

I bought them both GT & EH 6CA7 tubes. I prefer the EH but I like the GT highs better and it is more balanced but the EH has better lows and gain and is more airy and less compressed than the #4 GT6ca7 quad I bought.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: EL34 Mullad re-issue Vs. Groove Tubes EL34-LS

From my experience, you're more likely to verifiably change your tone changing preamp valves than with poweramp valves.

And for the record it's Mullard, with an "r."