Electro-Harmonix EL34 No Cryo Reviews

4.7 Rating 15 Reviews

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909.931.9686

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joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

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“I outfitted my newly completed VTA/Dynaco ST-70 upgrade with a matched set of the Electroharmonix EL-34EHs, and so far have been notably impressed. They were a little opaque and shrill sounding at first, but after a proper burn-in, they sound nice and open with excellent midrange and treble clarity. Bass is reasonably punchy, but not stellar... that could easily be attributed to the Dyna amplifier, as its not known the be a bass master. Out of curiosity, I swapped out the EH tubes and installed my well burned in set of much more expensive Siemens EL34s made in Germany...both sets have remarkably similar designs visually. I can't honestly tell you that the EH tubes are as good or as clear, but for a fraction of the cost, they're close, and are very, very respectable. In fairness, I haven't tried the Gold Lion, Shuguang, Svetlanas, and new issue Mullards, so I don't know where they stand compared to several others, but have tried the Sovteks, and like the EH and the Siemens much better. Just a super value for a tube clarity junkie!”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

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Posted 5 years ago

“I have to agree with the previous reviews. This is a FANTASTIC sounding current production tube for the money. I have purchased All Of the current production EL-34 tubes over the past 7 years (Decware TORII MK. III Amp) and I can tell you from experience, there is no better value for the money. And Uncle Kevin is right, it does give you that "pop on the top", that extra sparkle (not an overexageration mind you), but a believable energy and liveliness that comes thru in the music/soundstadge; after all, that is why we are audiophiles. There is one current production tube I like more than this one and that is the Gold Lion KT77 ( it is also $30 more than the Electoharmonix). Thanks for reading and I hope helps somebody.”

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Posted 6 years ago

“I have the Cayin A-50T that's generally run in triode mode. I first replaced the driver tubes with NOS RCA's, which made a significant improvement over the stock small tubes (which I think were EH). Next, I tried JJ EL 34's. These were very smooth but lifeless in the presence region. The EH EL 34's cryoed by Upscale, combined with the NOS driver tubes, are simply magnificent - well balanced with the spark of life”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Very nice tubes, transparent and delicate highs A little less bottom end punch than the KT88 tubes I swapped, but great tubes for a more delicate refined sound.”

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Posted 10 years ago

“I called cary audio to confirm that EL34 tubes were compatible with my cary 120s amp-even though the owners manual says they are.I spoke to a tech at Cary and they said sure-it will work perfectly-just drop them in. Guess what--not the case--the bias resist has to be modified to allow proper biasing to approx 140---without this mod won't get past 70ma----im confused as to why the amp manufacturer gave me incorrect info--but Kevin at upscale explained why they need adj and as usual he was correct. i wish i spoke to kevin before ordering---he was kind enough to allow me to exchange the tubes for kt88----kevin knows more than all the folks combined at Cary----he's the very best--- I will always consult with kevin first-over anyone!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

Robert H. Levi

Unverified Reviewer

“THE best value in a superb sounding EL34. Buy them matched for best performance even if its not required in your amp! In a top circuit, they sound powerful, linear, very detailed, and rightly real and alive. Fulsome low end of all EL34s require fast sounding small signal tubes to maximize. Have not heard better new production, only more expensive. Get 'em.”

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Posted 13 years ago