6CA7 vs EL34 vs KT66?

[SteadyEddie]

Any more opinions on the JJ 6CA7's?
About to pull the trigger, and regarding the fact that they're not pricey, I still don't want to waste any money.
'68 era 50 watt with good pre's. Currently have =c='s in there and they sound decent, but would like to try something else.
The Sino EL34's I've used to me sound rather sterile, while robust. Maybe I didn't bias them hot enough. (70%) Others like John from the UK love them.
Just looking for more feedback/opinions.
Thanks for any info.

Do let us know what you think, if you buy them.
I'm looking for something different also.
I am currently using the JJEL34Ls, they are OK.
My concern with the 6CA7s, is if they are any darker sounding.
the EL34Ls could be IMO a bit brighter.
It is probably how I have my Tone stack, and Amp setup.
Good Luck,
Terry

I don't know if I consider the 6CA7s to be any darker, but the high end is definitely smoother. Not as gritty on the high-highs as an EL34. The mids are clearer and more open. The mids, to me, is where this tube shines.

[OnTheFritz]

Ordered a pair from Tube Depot Sat night, will report my impressions when I get them in a couple days.

[SteadyEddie]

Ordered a pair from Tube Depot Sat night, will report my impressions when I get them in a couple days.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine. I don't have any urge to try other tubes, this is seriously the sound I'd been looking for.

[OnTheFritz]

Ordered a pair from Tube Depot Sat night, will report my impressions when I get them in a couple days.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine. I don't have any urge to try other tubes, this is seriously the sound I'd been looking for.

Looking forward to hearing these. I love the mids, so hopefully for a new production tube these will deliver. Can't beat the price.

[jape88]

Has anybody compared these new JJ 6ca7's to the EH 6ca7's? I'm interested in taking the plunge from my el34L's.
I'm no expert but the JJ's state pentode and the EH tetrode?

http://thetubestore.com/jj6ca7.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://thetubestore.com/ehx6ca7.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.woodytone.com/2011/01/13/fin ... ored-6ca7/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[robert]

Hi Eddie,

try KT88, you won't regret it!

Regards

Robert

[Tone Slinger]

Hey jape, The EH6ca7's would be more of a departure from an El-34 than would be the JJ6ca7. You are right, its tetrode (EH6ca7) vs. pentode (JJ6ca7), which is also what El-34's are (pentode). The EH 6ca7's are gonna have more high end clarity than the JJ 6ca7 as well as a bigger bottom . The mids of the JJ6ca7 are gonna be a tad more prevalent than the Eh 6ca7's though.

A more realistic way to look at it is to look at the EH 6ca7 as a 6l6 and the JJ 6ca7 as more of an El-34 with a touch of what a 6l6 imparts (a touch more high end and bigger tighter Bottom end).

[jape88]

Thanks, I think the Sylvania's are tetrode so that would make the EH's more akin to being similar.

[Tone Slinger]

Yep, the Eh 6ca7's were designed based on the '70's era fat bottle phillips/Sylvania. They (EH) are as close as you will get to the real deal, tonewise.

[OnTheFritz]

Can't say as that I'm very impressed with the JJ's. They sound ok, but seem to lack character or something. I liked the =C='s I had in there much better.

[SteadyEddie]

Can't say as that I'm very impressed with the JJ's. They sound ok, but seem to lack character or something. I liked the =C='s I had in there much better.

You tried JJ 6CA7s? Their E34L is meh, but the 6CA7 is special, IMO.

[54strat]

@onthefritz...everyone's different I ran the JJ 6CA7's for a while then put some Winged =C= EL34's back in to see if I was missing anything...couldn't get the JJ's back in fast enough.

[SteadyEddie]

@onthefritz...everyone's different I ran the JJ 6CA7's for a while then put some Winged =C= EL34's back in to see if I was missing anything...couldn't get the JJ's back in fast enough.

The JJ 6CA7s seem to get the frequencies "right," for some reason. It is the sound of the idealized Marshall tone that's been in my head.

[OnTheFritz]

@onthefritz...everyone's different I ran the JJ 6CA7's for a while then put some Winged =C= EL34's back in to see if I was missing anything...couldn't get the JJ's back in fast enough.

I'll have to give them another go. Just getting over a nasty upper resp bug, and my sinuses and ears were massively blocked up.
Very well could've just been my compromised perception. Put in a pair of Tesla's (From TT) I had lying around Saturday night, and they sound great.

[OnTheFritz]

JJ's warming up. Biasing as 25 watt tubes @ 70%.