Valve Art EL34's

[Darg1911]

Anyone try/use the Valve Art EL34B? I believe that they are the same tube as the Ruby (and TAD) STR's. I picked up a pair as inexpensive spares and ended up having to use them when a JJ started going south in my Marshall build. Nothing "wow" about them really. They are well balanced with nice harmonics. Maybe a little more headroom than the JJ EL34's that I had in there. I like them. I think they were 26 bucks for the matched pair. Just wish I could find them burned in ... I think they'd still be less money than the Ruby's (which I'm not sure are burned in either). Anyway, the pair I have were Apex matched and dead on between the two when first biased up. They have drifted a little apart (only a couple mv's). I'm keeping an eye on them because the bias points do seem to drift a bit more during burn in than some others I have had. Some minor crackles when first fired up for the first 3 or 4 times but nothing since. Quiet tubes other than that.

Anyway, just looking to see if anyone has used or uses these and how they have held up for you and what you think of them. I need some new spares now, and will probably buy the Valve Arts again if there aren't many negative experiences.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

I don't have a high opinion of their el84s. They fried and gave quite a show in my Tubemeister and blew a fuse not long after I got it. I didnt.think they had much going on tonally either, compared to other new production el84s.

I'd probably just go with a reputable dealer and get matching burnt in sino/shugang el34bs. I thought the TAD EL34b str were nice sounding tubes. But they arent much cheaper than the better russian/slovak new production tubes. The mullard RI I replaced the TAD with are a bit more complex and tamer/smoother....which may or may not be a good thing depending on taste.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

The Valve Art is a Shuguang EL34B. The TAD STR may be the same construction with better internals and diff plate coating, or it may not be. TAD claims the STR's are pentodes while the "standard" Shuguang EL34B (and Valve Art and anyone else who relabels the "standard" Shuguang EL34B tube) may be a beam tetrode (according to the manufacturer and/or per some sources ... so, who knows). Maybe I'll just pick up a pair of TAD's to see for myself. They have a 6 month warranty I believe. That alone may be worth the money.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

Yup. Thus why I said I would just buy some matched shugang from anyone vs..seeking out valve art in particular. I'd trust a tubestore.com or tube depot or what have you ton do a better job filtering through the crap, than valve art.

I would buy the TAD's again, they ARE good, but at what they charge for them I'd also start looking at other things, is the point I was getting at.

I guess I was not very clear in my OP. Fridays...

 

[jeremy]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

el34's should be pentodes, if its a beam tetrode its not right. i havent used any valve art tubes but ive had good luck with tad power tubes

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

Yup. Thus why I said I would just buy some matched shugang from anyone vs..seeking out valve art in particular. I'd trust a tubestore.com or tube depot or what have you ton do a better job filtering through the crap, than valve art.

I would buy the TAD's again, they ARE good, but at what they charge for them I'd also start looking at other things, is the point I was getting at.

I guess I was not very clear in my OP. Fridays...

No, you were clear enough. I think I started the mess. The thing is that if I just said Shuguang instead of Valve Art in my opening thread, I was afraid it would get more confusing since Shuguang tubes get relabeled by lots of different companies. They sell the Shuguang EL34B at tube store but I don't think they are burned in. In which case, I may as well just buy the matched Valve Arts from AES. I'll search harder for someone who does burn in. Or, just grab the TADS ... I think they are 10 bucks more for a pair at AES, which should get me that warranty.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

Tubedepot.com has 24 hour burn in service. They are my go-to. Good prices. Fast ship. They carry many tubes already burned in ready to.ship.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

el34's should be pentodes, if its a beam tetrode its not right. i havent used any valve art tubes but ive had good luck with tad power tubes

Yes, a "true" EL34 would be a Pentode. Apparently, the Chinese B's aren't ... or at least the "standard" Shuguang B's are not.

http://www.analogmetric.com/goods.php?id=24

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Valve Art EL34's

Tubedepot.com has 24 hour burn in service. They are my go-to.

Didn't help with those JJ's. Or, maybe I didn't have them burned in. Cant remember.

I'll check to see what they have.

Edit ... don't know how I missed it but they do have the Sino. I didn't see it before. If I don't grab the TAD, I'll go that route. Thanks.