EL34 vs 6CA7 vs KT77

The Siemens you can get from RAM Labs are the best I have heard on my Music Reference RM9SE, but purely on hearsay, it does seem there is a lot of good feedback on the Genalex KT-77 reissues. Oh, you are right, it is not only subjective but perhaps only valid within the context of a particular amp driving a particular speaker, you really do have to try them to really know. I would call Jim McShane who listens to alot of these variants - he really does like the Genalex though....

Mtb - you're right, the choice of tubes is both subjective and system dependent.

I'm not sure if my description would be helpful to anyone else but I found the Genalex KT-77's to have the same kind of musicality as the "C" El34's but they seemed more articulate, if that makes any sense. That applies both to the PRAT and to the soundstage. They just sounded right, more transparent without losing any of the sweetness. I'm afraid that's the best I can do and even that probably isn't all that illuminating.

I was using the tubes in an AES AE-25 Superamp in triode, driving a pair of Devore 8's.

I did take acetone and a paper towel and remove all the swirly red and gold script on the glass of the KT-77's, after which they looked like proper tubes rather than something you'd find in a New Age candle shop.

Thanks Sfar, that help greatly. Have you (or anyone else) had experience with the JJ KT-77? I heard the reliability of these tubes has bettered since their initial release. Would love to get the Genalex KT-77, but the price point may become an issue.

Jim McShane sells them both, and has many buyers of both - his advice is worth seeking, as well as the fact that he matches tubes very well and sell at very competitive prices. He is especially useful on issue related to reliability since he sells so many sets - he's been known to stop selling tubes that have "problems" in the field.