yngzaklynch
New member
Called Bogner today. Appearently they stopped using SEDs a long time ago and now use JJs. Also started using Ruby EL34BRTs. So which is the preferred tube for the XTC? JJE34L vs Ruby EL34BRT?
J
jamme61
Member
RUBY EL34BSTR 
Setneck
Member
Since I had the amp I have used =C='s, then NOS Tesla's for a short time. Both tubes sounded quite similar, very bold and round, punchy. Tesla's had a bit more saturation.
Some time ago, when I started to mod my amp, I switched to RFT/Siemens tubes, which are more crunchy and brighter. The amp is more cutting-thru.
I have tried BSTR's and the sound was ok, but nothing special. But my amp is modded qiute extensively, being voiced more toward classic Marshall crunch, so BSTR's sound too thin. They can sound good in stock 101B though.
During "stock" days I tried also EHX's but the sound was muffled.
You got to try for Yourself but You won't go wrong with =C='s in XTC.
Regards. Andy
Some time ago, when I started to mod my amp, I switched to RFT/Siemens tubes, which are more crunchy and brighter. The amp is more cutting-thru.
I have tried BSTR's and the sound was ok, but nothing special. But my amp is modded qiute extensively, being voiced more toward classic Marshall crunch, so BSTR's sound too thin. They can sound good in stock 101B though.
During "stock" days I tried also EHX's but the sound was muffled.
You got to try for Yourself but You won't go wrong with =C='s in XTC.
Regards. Andy
J
jamme61
Member
setneck is right, you have to try for yourself. IMHO - I think the the preamp tubes are more important-- I hate to see you have to spend a lot of money on NOS stuff. I just wanted a strong EL34 that can take the high plate volts of the XTC - the Ruby's work well for me.
I like Ruby AC5 HG+ and HG's 12ax7's
Try not to get sucked into the tube money pit -- I did that already
I like Ruby AC5 HG+ and HG's 12ax7's
Try not to get sucked into the tube money pit -- I did that already
Setneck
Member
Surely preamp tubes are more important for shaping the sound. But one of the biggest surprises for me was how much powertubes affect XTC's tone. It wasn't so important in my previous Marshalls. In XTC every powertube I tried sounded noticeably different, with =C='s and NOS Tesla's being the most close in tone though. Those tubes were souding huge, punchy with big bottom, but a bit too "loose". From the other hand RFT/Siemens' sound very tight and crunchy, the amp is so dynamic and cutting. I could roll off Treble and Presence, and also I can hardly put Volume beyond 9 o'clock, as in some situations I am even too hearable .
Of course my attitude to the particular tube - and the perception of my current sound as a whole - is related heavily to the fact, that my amp is quite extensively modded.
Basically in retrospect I think that C40 mod and changing dirty Treble pot to linear is enough to "adjust" the amp if one doesn't want to dig deeper in it, wanting to decrease "blanket effect". When I buy another XTC I will do those mods only, leaving the rest stock.
Regards, Andy
. Of course my attitude to the particular tube - and the perception of my current sound as a whole - is related heavily to the fact, that my amp is quite extensively modded.
Basically in retrospect I think that C40 mod and changing dirty Treble pot to linear is enough to "adjust" the amp if one doesn't want to dig deeper in it, wanting to decrease "blanket effect". When I buy another XTC I will do those mods only, leaving the rest stock
.Regards, Andy
yngzaklynch
New member
Anyone try the JJ EL 34s?
flash6969
Banned
New member
I have the JJ EL34 in my Friedman. It's a different beast but it's the preferred tube of Dave Friedman.
They sound great
They sound great
J
jamme61
Member
my bogner 101b came stk with JJ el34's sounded fine to me. The JJ's never failed in my amp, sounded fine but, I moved on to the Ruby's - which to me, sound a little bit brighter. I really think any of the tubes mentioned will be fine. I just go to a good known tube dealer and stay within my budget. I use Dougs tubes - closest to me but, I have used KCA and even eurotubes all good IMHO
IMHO Ruby's
IMHO Ruby's
zewango
Well-known member
Thinking of trying the JJ E34L for a little more bottom end that they are supposed to have. Stock mine came with JJ EL 34
yngzaklynch
New member
When I asked Bogner about the JJ E34L tube this is the response I got...zewango":3blanz0t said:
We use and recommend the JJ EL34, but this should work as well.
Thanks,
Setneck
Member
Well, as for the JJ's the fact is that many companies use them as they can get it fairly cheap in a big amounts. The quality of JJ tubes are controversial. Obviously tubes aren't under warranty so if it fails You got to replace it indyvidually. Manufacturer is happy 'cause You have bought his expensive amp which is filled with quality components, good transformers and tubes... which are available cheap .
It should be also obvious that most of us play with the tubes to shape our own sound and rather rarely stay with stock ones. So it isn't actually essential what tubes we get with our new amp.
Bogner since the beginning was using good quality tubes, when it was available in fair price. First 100B's came out with RFT/Siemens' powertubes. I even have two quads of them labelled Bogner. When the supply dried out they switched to =C='s, which in some time became dramatically pricey. So the choice was in general between JJ's, Shugs and Sovteks. JJ's were chosen for some reason and that's the whole story IMO. They "advantage" is that they simply have ability to SOUND whatsover, so they are good.
From my experience, both preamp and power JJ tubes are muddying XTC insanely. They could sound better in Marshall circuit as it is brighter in nature than the XTC. Despite using exactly the same tooling as for producing old Tesla's JJ's are nothing like them. I have a bunch Tesla's EL34's, ECC83's and ECC803S' and it isn't even generally comparable.
Believe me, I am not NOS lover-at-all-costs. Have simply a bunch of old production tubes, used to use them in my XTC with great tonal results (especially Tesla's in poweramp, Telefunken's in V1 and PI and Philips' or Tungsrams in gain stages) but switched to CP because of the price. XTC is eating tubes quite fast, I mean, the sound indicates rather fast, that the tube isn't fresh. XTC is one of the most sensitive amp when it comes to tubes freshness IMO. But it is worth filling it with fresh sets more often that other amps.
But You can get all JJ's cheap, very cheap... and very likely that is why some of us could advocate them and guard against those who doesn't like them as much.
Cutting long story short - You can always buy JJ's in the end, but before that You might try some other tubes, especially in poweramp. Most likely You won't go back, even if it's a few $$$ more to spend.
Regards, Andy
. It should be also obvious that most of us play with the tubes to shape our own sound and rather rarely stay with stock ones. So it isn't actually essential what tubes we get with our new amp.
Bogner since the beginning was using good quality tubes, when it was available in fair price. First 100B's came out with RFT/Siemens' powertubes. I even have two quads of them labelled Bogner. When the supply dried out they switched to =C='s, which in some time became dramatically pricey. So the choice was in general between JJ's, Shugs and Sovteks. JJ's were chosen for some reason and that's the whole story IMO. They "advantage" is that they simply have ability to SOUND whatsover, so they are good
.From my experience, both preamp and power JJ tubes are muddying XTC insanely. They could sound better in Marshall circuit as it is brighter in nature than the XTC. Despite using exactly the same tooling as for producing old Tesla's JJ's are nothing like them. I have a bunch Tesla's EL34's, ECC83's and ECC803S' and it isn't even generally comparable.
Believe me, I am not NOS lover-at-all-costs. Have simply a bunch of old production tubes, used to use them in my XTC with great tonal results (especially Tesla's in poweramp, Telefunken's in V1 and PI and Philips' or Tungsrams in gain stages) but switched to CP because of the price. XTC is eating tubes quite fast, I mean, the sound indicates rather fast, that the tube isn't fresh. XTC is one of the most sensitive amp when it comes to tubes freshness IMO. But it is worth filling it with fresh sets more often that other amps.
But You can get all JJ's cheap, very cheap... and very likely that is why some of us could advocate them and guard against those who doesn't like them as much
.Cutting long story short - You can always buy JJ's in the end, but before that You might try some other tubes, especially in poweramp. Most likely You won't go back, even if it's a few $$$ more to spend
.Regards, Andy
R
RG955TT
New member
I like Ruby EL34BHT from Doug's Tubes better than anything else I've tried. IMO.....
RedRemedyXTC101b
New member
Hey guys, I have to agree with Setneck.
I always use =C='s in my '96 101b. Time to stock up on them though, as they're out of production now apparently!
Last time I changed them over and had my amp serviced with an old quad I had as spares, my stock 120w 101b came back putting out over 150watts... The sound was intense. Honestly like another tube was added. Bigger, bolder and punchier than ever... Every setting was sounding way better than stock... For some unknown reason, that quad was pure lightning in a bottle. But unfortunately they did wear out quicker than normal.
I've heard JJ's sound good in other amps, but not an Ecstasy. Of the '90s era anyway. I guess like everyone, they're going with bulk availability now.
I'm about to head down NOS road to see where that leads for something different. I can see it's going to be an expensive journey! A really interesting one though
I always use =C='s in my '96 101b. Time to stock up on them though, as they're out of production now apparently!
Last time I changed them over and had my amp serviced with an old quad I had as spares, my stock 120w 101b came back putting out over 150watts... The sound was intense. Honestly like another tube was added. Bigger, bolder and punchier than ever... Every setting was sounding way better than stock... For some unknown reason, that quad was pure lightning in a bottle. But unfortunately they did wear out quicker than normal.
I've heard JJ's sound good in other amps, but not an Ecstasy. Of the '90s era anyway. I guess like everyone, they're going with bulk availability now.
I'm about to head down NOS road to see where that leads for something different. I can see it's going to be an expensive journey! A really interesting one though