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Oldchen (Laochen) EL34-B

Oldchen

Oldchen (Laochen) EL34-B

~$170

Estimated price · may vary by retailer

The quintessential entry-level single-ended Class A tube amp. It uses a simple circuit that has been cloned and modified for years. It offers the holographic midrange of SET topology at a rock-bottom price.

Specifications

ClassA
TopologySingle Ended Triode (SET)
TubesEL34 x2, 6N9P x2, 5U4G x1
Power10W x 2
WiringPoint-to-Point (Hardwired)

Things to Know

  • ⚠The '5U4G' rectifier is often wired in hybrid mode with silicon diodes, which purists dislike.
  • ⚠Transformers run very hot, suggesting they are pushed near their saturation limits.
  • ⚠Stock Chinese EL34 tubes can sound harsh compared to budget re-issues like Mullard or JJ.

Reviews

“This tube does it all–huge reserves of power and headroom, a massive airy soundstage but in this case airiness is not a sign of thinness or an unsaturated midrange... My vote for the King of the EL34-family.”

— The Tube Store Blog (Reviewing the Stock Shuguang EL34s)

“Essentially, a perfect tube. Quiet and unfussy... The sound quality is right up there with the Shuguang black bottles but this comes at half the price.”

— Wall of Sound (Contextual review of Shuguang EL34-B)
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