A type of el34 that sounds more like a 6l6gc/kt66

[Whatwhatringrang]

I have some ideas on this but curious of what other have found . I would like to find a quad of of a el34s or similar tube that sound more like a kt66/6l6gc for an early 67 45/100 with el34s from factory. Just wanted to see what is closer than a straight traditional el34. Or if there something that would be closer in sound to kt66/6l6gc to try out. Also that can handle plate voltage at idle from 490- 500v . Thanks

 

[fitz]

Or if there something that would be closer in sound to kt66/6l6gc to try out.

Have you tried 6CA7's?
Here's a screen clip from JJ's website.

 

[Whatwhatringrang]

Hi Fitz,

I have thought about the 6CA7s but not quite looked into it that much yet. That was kinda what I was thinking . Thanks for the info on that and I will look in to them .

 

[playloud]

Have you tried 6CA7's?

I came here to say the same. Not sure about the various modern versions, but the original American-made 6CA7s have a noted resemblance to 6L6GCs.

You might also try KT77s (although originals are rarer/more expensive than just about anything in this format!), which are supposed to be similar to KT66s.

Honestly, when it comes to tonal properties of used/NOS tubes, it's hard to get an adequate sample size to form solid impressions. I've got a few sets of RFTs here, and none have really impressed me yet - but I'm open to the possibility of these ones just being duds, and everyone else being right

 

[Dblgun]

6CA7 and EL34 are often the same tube similar to 6BQ5 and EL84. I'm assuming you are looking for a suggestion of a specific version of the 6CA7 that have characters of a 6L6GC/KT66.

Not to sound foolish but have you considered a 6L6GC or KT66?

 

[Pete Farrington]

Just to note that the main design difference between beam pentodes and suppressor grid pentodes is the former have beam forming plates, the latter have a suppressor grid.
Performance wise, normally beam pentodes have a much lower screen grid current draw than suppressor grid pentodes of a similar beefiness, by 4 to 5 times.
However, my (well used) pair of GE 6CA7 have a closely similar screen grid current draw to EL34, somewhere around 4 to 5 times higher than that of 6L6GC in the same conditions.