User Reviews/Feedback for Sophia Electric EL34 tubes
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Sophia Electric EL34-ST: The Anti-Nos Tube. It’s been over a month since I installed the Sophia Electric EL34-ST tubes in my Primaluna Evo 200. After more than 60 hours of use, I can confidently say that these tubes are spectacular. At first, I hesitated about spending this amount on newly produced tubes, especially when the price was comparable to an excellent NOS tube like a vintage Mullard or Philips. Sue from customer service kindly advised me to wait until I had at least 100 hours on the tubes for a fair evaluation. She warned me that the initial sound might be off and encouraged me not to worry, but rather to allow the tubes to fully break in. Trusting her advice was the right decision. Initially the tubes sounded cold and empty in the low range, but after about 60 hours, the tubes had transformed; they now produce a realistic tone with remarkable detail and air around the instruments, and a huge soundstage. The Primaluna Evo 200 has reached an extraordinary level of performance, even with the standard preamp tubes. When I added some NOS RFT tubes, the improvement was astonishing. Given the amplifier’s cost plus the tubes, we’re just over $3,000, with performance that feels at least three times higher. I purchased the Grade A version of this tube to ensure the highest manufacturing quality. Jeff Day’s positive feedback advice was spot on. This has been one of the most significant improvements I’ve ever experienced in my setup. In terms of both performance and value, it’s absolutely worth investing in Sophia Electric’s new production. Unlike NOS tubes, these come with a 365-day warranty, and the performance they offer is difficult to surpass. Thank you so much! Best Regards,Giuseppe Veneruso from Italy www.audiophily.com |
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I ordered a Quad of the EL-34st tubes this week. I'm not sure if there is an easy answer to this question, but why do these tubes sound so superior to regular EL-34's? During a listening session yesterday, I swapped out the standard Mullard EL-34 tubes for the Sophia EL-34ST's. With the Sophia tubes playing, the soundstage expanded to fill the entire room in front of us. When we switched back to the Mullard tubes, the soundstage shrank to fit in between the speakers. It sounded very flat and constricted after listening to the Sophia's. Once you hear the Sophia EL-34's, there is no going back. Just curious what you do different that makes the music sound so expansive. Neil |
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Sophia Electric EL34 tubes in Leben CS-600x amplifier Tubes have just arrived. I am currently letting them burn-in. However, I am already blown away by the performance - the clarity and crispness of midranges are stunning. Whatever vocabulary I try to use, I'll probably end up with an understatement. Everything falls into place and instruments' separation is simply amazing. I hear the hoarse of Tom Waits 'diesel voice like never before. If he were singing today, I would probably be able to tell what year was the whiskey he drank the day he had recorded the Closing Time! Witek from Ireland |
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I have been listening to music and vacuum tubes for 50 years, and in all this time have NEVER heard music sound as good as using your EL34ST tubes in my amplifier. It was my birthday, and I decided to bite the Bullett, and buy myself a set of your tubes. I am happy I did. Thank you so very much, Thomas Aronsohn |
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I guess the first thing I should do is to describe my system: Yaqin MC-10T integrated amp with Mazda NOS E82CC, Tonex NOS E83CC, Bluesound Node 2, Schiit Bifrost 2 multibit DAC, Seas Loki II Speakers, and Blue Jeans speaker cable & interconnects I played a little tube rolling and settled upon the above preamp tubes. I went from the stock Shuguang EL34s to the Psvane T series III 6CA7. They were in for about 3 weeks and 1 tube exploded without any damage to the amp. I then decided on the Sophia's EL34 tubes and I will never look back. The sound of Sophia Electric EL34 tubes is amazing, very musical but completely 3D. I am hearing things in the music that I never heard before, and they keep getting better and better. I can't leave the chair. Right now I am listening to Dianna Krall and I am in musical bliss. I am rediscovering my whole collection. Thanks for a great product. Bill, Florida |
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From audiogon forum user cavy I have the Prima Luna Premium Dialogue HP Amp. I was using the KT120 tubes for the last 2 years and although these are very nice tubes with airy highs and tight bass with plenty of slam, I found the midrange muddy and fatiguing. I switched back to the original EL 34 and found the magic again. I recently decided to try the Sophia Electric EL 34's based on all the good things I heard about them. They have about 15 hours on them (100 hours is the break in time) and they sound fantastic. Wider and deeper sound stage, more transparency, voices come alive in front of you and plenty of bass and slam. Extremely happy with them. |
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Bought a pair of Sophia Electric blue glass el34 tubes and straight out of the box you know there is magic. All the detail of newer tube design with lush old style sound. They let the music come through as intended. Glorious highs with proper amount of bass to support a very life like presentation. Earl |
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Hello Sophia Electric, I wanted you to know your EL34 tubes ARE the best sounding in my Aric Audio Transcend push-pull stereo amplifier. I have used GL KT77 and 88, NOS Amperex and Mullards. These sound very good but your EL34's just turn it up a notch. Everything from top to bottom is wonderful. I have gone months going back and forth with all my EL34's and Sophia Electric is without a doubt music to my ears. They are not coming out again. Keep up the great work. Thanks, Marc |
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Hi Richard, Thank you for getting me the tubes so quickly...So many areas of Audio are subjective and or controversial, especially Tubes and Cables.... and we can end up with buyers remorse or just look at a purchase and if we have to really give thought if it was worth it, than it probably wasn’t .... I was not expecting a dramatic difference.... but that’s exactly what I got. I am stunned at the massive jump in Quality of the Sonics and this was right out of box... and I’ve only put the EL34 tubes in the amp so far ... not the 6SL7....the Purchase of the Sophia Electric Tubes is a difference maker.... The only way I’ll consider another brand of tube going forward is if Sophia Electric does not make the model I’m looking for:) .. Cheers, Brett Klein. Hbg, Pa |
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Hi Richard , it's John from WA state just received the el34 ST quad yesterday and have about 10 hrs on them. Just like you said Night and Day difference. Compared to the stock Chinese el34. Huge soundstage with extended airy highs. Sounstage depth and height but not foward in your face. All instruments are detailed with a smooth airy presentation. Female vocals are eerily alive in the room with you just jawdropping! I have never heard an EL 34 of any sound like these ST bottles. Thank you for your creativity in designing such a wonderful tube. Sincerely John. |
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The Sophia Electric blue glass EL-34-ST tubes are a revelation in my Unison S6 integrated amp – better (60-70%) sounding in all parameters than the Tung Sol EL-34B’s that came with the amp. |
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Good Day All, |
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This is a brief review of the Sophia EL34 tube. First I would like to thank Richard and Sue for being kind, helpful and professional. I have Cary Audio Six pack mono tube amps. The amps originally came with Ruby EL34 tubes. Over many years I have used Electro Harmonix, Svetlana, Mullard reissues and Tung-sol reissues. My system is very revealing. I have spent many years tweaking and dialing it in. The system has very good power, a dedicated power line, power conditioner, grounding cables, power cables, interconnects, speaker cables and audio grade fuses. The system also has an excellent rack, isolation platforms and isolation devices. There is also extensive room treatments. Many of the previously mentioned tubes have a tipped up tone which can be apparent on some recordings. The Sophia tubes have the most natural and seductive tone of any tubes I have tried. The bass mid range and treble are all excellent. There is a wide and very deep holographic sound stage with impressive weight. The Sophia EL34 tubes are truly above and beyond any tube I have ever used. This review was after 120 hours of break in. My highest recommendation. J.A.H. Maryland |
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I just wanted to follow up on the Sophia Electric EL34 tubes I got for the Sophia Electric 126S amp. I am not quite at 100 hours – maybe 70 or so- but I have to say they are unlike any other EL34 tubes I have used. The bottom line is the music is just there. There is a naturalness and musicality that I would normally attribute to a change in amplifiers or speakers but not tubes. I feel like I am just hearing the music as it was recorded without any additional artifacts or colorations. Your el34 tubes in your 126-03 amp are deeply satisfying. I have been chasing after the “absolute sound” for over 30 years. Your amp and tubes have stopped me in my tracks. I am a very happy music lover. Thanks you so much for these wonderfully musical products. Thanks, Jim, DC |
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I ordered a couple of the new EL34s a couple of weeks ago and put them in my Cary 211 mono blocs. They are much better than the stock Russian (no surprise there) and even better than the NOS tubes I have experimented with over the years. It's very much an upgrade. The sound now is less dark and has more air. Regards, Stephen Greer |
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I recently purchased your el34 tubes. I have found them to be more open transparent and better detail and bass than my winged S.E.Ds or my Mullards and Psvane tubes. Sophia el34 tubes are not even broke in yet. Thanks and keep up the good work. Ron, Kansas |
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Dear Sophia Electric, I bought one quad of your new EL34 tubes expressed to my door. Here is my first listening impression: Sophia Electric new EL34 tubes are much better than my vintage Telefunken EL34 which sounds too dull, weak. I also have the new Russian made “Mullard” that is too bright/aggressive. Pvsane EL34 tubes are bright, direct, lack of musicality. Sophia’s sound just right. John, Indiana |