@ ghasley &
jjss49
+1
@ OP
Have accumulated > 80 NOS EL34s over time, ever since my first tube amps ( back in the day, Marantz 2s), Mullards, Philips & Telefunkens. For beauty of tone I go with the Mullards especially the earlier 6 much more expensive Xf1 series. The winged Telefunkens being more neutral and extended with tighter bass are great also but missing those meaty mids. Philips appeares to me somewhere in between.
If $ 800 seems too steep look into NOS Ultron brand EL34s, made in East Germany in the late 70´s/early 80´s and considerably cheaper.
+1
@ OP
Have accumulated > 80 NOS EL34s over time, ever since my first tube amps ( back in the day, Marantz 2s), Mullards, Philips & Telefunkens. For beauty of tone I go with the Mullards especially the earlier 6 much more expensive Xf1 series. The winged Telefunkens being more neutral and extended with tighter bass are great also but missing those meaty mids. Philips appeares to me somewhere in between.
If $ 800 seems too steep look into NOS Ultron brand EL34s, made in East Germany in the late 70´s/early 80´s and considerably cheaper.