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300b vs. NOS mullard el34- both amps in push pull

I have Quicksilver mid monos that are el-34 based. I am wondering if I should buy some expensive NOS Mullard EL34's(unarguably the best midrange for a el34) to get the so called midrange magic or just go to a 300b push pull design.

I want to stick with push pull for the dynamics and power and realize by not going SET that much of the midrange magic is lost on the 300b (a third option might be one of the hot-roded 300b set designs like the Wytech or Border Patrol but many have written that these two do lack somewhat in the midrange that a typical 300b SET provides or maybe parallel 300b's which also supposedly lose the magic).
frankk

Showing 2 responses by frankk

frankk OP
50 posts
 
100db efficiency in a large room that is usually playing very loud complex music. I will eventually also try out a lower powered amp but for now 20 - 50 watt amps is what I'm going with.

I'm just wondering if the Mullard (xf2 not xf1 due to cost) has the beautiful midrange of a 300b in push pull if hypothetically both amps were the same. If not maybe I'll start considering buying a 300b p/p rather than buying those expensive Mullards for my el34 amp (I have come to the realization that I love a great midrange and will sacrifice other areas if I have to).
frankk OP
50 posts
 
Right now I am using NOS Tesla black base (supposedly not as good as earlier brown base) and like the sound much better than the EH KT88 I can run in them. It does not have that upper midrange hardness, has enough air, treble and soundstage for me.

Maybe I like the El34 is because the speakers I currently use are a crossoverless design which makes even the EL34 sound airy enough. Almost every other speaker I have heard sound more closed in and non-lifelike in comparison. However it does seem to be extremely revealing to amps which have any upper midrange hardness. That includes a couple of 845 amps I have had also in the past.

I also have a quad of Svetlana el34 which have the upper midrange hardness as well.

I have tried the almarro a205a (single ended el84) and another vintage el84 amp and they was pretty good except the top end was missing somewhat and not enough power for me. I have read from others the el84 is a little weak.

I have never tried a 6L6 but correct me if I am wrong that it is closer to the KT88 than the El34.

So in my continued search for the best midrange I'm thinking move up to the universally praised midrange of the NOS Mullard or start looking for a 300b amp.
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