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Groove Tubes EL34LS vs SED

i have a amp air tight ATM-3 to be precise that currently uses Siemens EL34. I want a bit more dynamics especially at the bass. Has anyone tried these? The Siemens seem at the end of their life, although they test fine in a tube tester, the bias cant be adjusted sufficiently high. Since I got this amp recently (used) I dont know if the lack of bottom end is due to old tubes, or just the amp itself.Advice appreciated THX
whodiini

Showing 3 responses by gmuffley

gmuffley
132 posts
 
I use the Tesla El-34LS in my Quicksilver M-135 monoblocks. They give the greatest "slam" in the low and mid-bass of any of the tubes I have tried (but I have never tried the Siemens).
gmuffley
132 posts
 
to Gmuffley - are the groove tubes el-34ls teslas? how is the high end? The Siemens high end is fine, but not the "slam".Have u compared with the SED? I'm about to buy new sets and its between the groove tubes and sed. Based on this feedback, i may go for the groove tubes. BTW, i am running Brimar 13D5 and Sovtek 12AX7LPS NOS circa 2003. cables are the new Oval 9s. THX everyone!
Whodiini

It is my understanding that the JJ/Tesla El-34LS and Groove Tubes are the same. The ones that I have were made in the Czech Republic and were purchased from Penta Labs. The high end response is excellent, but perhaps not as good as the very best El-34 tubes. The SED tubes are very nice, but don't have the slam of the El-34LS.
gmuffley
132 posts
 

07-08-09: Jaybo
el34's are supposed to be light in the bass...alays have been and ill be....their magic is the midrange.
Jaybo (Threads | Answers)

I would agree with you if El-34 tubes are used in ultralinear or triode mode, which is the case with the vast majority of amps. The same is not true when run in pentode mode with a regulated screen grid supply, as is the case with the Quicksilver M-135 monoblocks and the original Quicksilver MS-190 stereo amp.
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