Seeking best sounding El-34 tubes for my power amplifier


I have a 150 watt monoblocks  amplifiers made by Thor Audio. Thor Audio is out of business for quite a few years. Each 150 watt monoblock is round and has 8 El-34 output tubes on each monoblock for a total of 16 tubes.  I currently have Sovtek tubes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. 

kjl1065

Kjl1065, I really don’t see a need to purchase EL34 power tubes from Brent. I’ve gotten tubes from him in the past and everything worked out well but you’re gonna pay very high prices for the tubes. I have several tubes testers in my home so I’ve been able to buy tubes off many site at reasonable prices and test and match them. When it comes to 8 power tubes, it makes sense to buy them new on the many website available including eBay. I’ve purchased many new tubes off eBay with fine results. You opened this topic mentioning you presently have Sovtek EL34’s in your amp. If it was me, I would leave the Sovtek’s in. This is coming from someone that owns a ton of tubes. I personally don’t like Sovtek. In comparison to other tubes, I’ve found them lacking a little in openness and fleshing out the music in an immediate way. But recently I setup a headphone system in my house and didn’t quite like the balance of tone I was getting from the system so I began rolling some tubes and I started with one of the small input tubes on the headphone tube amp. Well I had some really great tubes in my collection, Telefunken, Amperex, RCA black plate, GE, Tungsol, Raytheon etc. The tube I settle on that gave me the sound I preferred the best hands down was a Sovtek and I don’t like Sovteks but for the synergy, it was the one I liked the best. Many of the more popular tubes I tried did sound clearer, and more detailed with greater resolution than the Sovtek but the Sovtek gave me the perfect balance of what my headphone system needed. So even though I’m not a fan of Sovtek tubes, I would keep yours in your amp and tweak around them. If you really feel like you want something different, there are a lot of really good new EL34 tubes available. I wouldn’t bother with anything vintage since you need 8. Sometimes people buy the best (clearest) sounding item and it’s not a good match for their system. So I wouldn’t bother be careful trying to buy the best EL34 tube.  

The man didn't ask about cheap ok tubes, I assume he wants the best sound out of his amps, and this highly unlikely can be achieved with modern tubes.

Teles are made by JJ... hard pass for me and yeah, didn't realize you needed (16) my bad. I'd call Kevin Deal at Upscale - get his take. He might have something interesting in numbers stashed away. I do stand behind Siemans being the best. No real sonic signature but have a weight and body that others didn't. 

You know, if someone cannot afford, say, $100 per month on average to spend on tubes, maybe he should not have high end tube equipment. I didn't have my VAC integrated until I was certain that I could spend $50 per month on tubes. Yeah, I had to spend over $3k upfront but it will be about $50 per month. I got all vintage and recommended by either the amp's designer or other very knowledgeable people, including here. Two sets, one in the amp and one spare.