EL34
Encyclopedia : E : EL : EL3 : EL34
The EL34, is a vacuum tube of the pentode type. It has an octal base and is found mainly in the final output stages of amplification circuits. The American RETMA tube designation number for this tube is 6CA7
Some firms make a related tube called an E34L which may be interchangeable in some equipment.
In common with all 'E' prefix tubes, using the Mullard-Philips tube designation, it has a filament voltage of 6.3V. It is capable, when used at its plate rating of 800 volts maximum, of producing 90 watts output in Class AB1 in push-pull configuration.
Commonly used in high end guitar amplifiers, it is characterized by a greater amount of distortion at lower power than other octal tubes such as a 6L6, KT88 or 6550. The EL34 is found in many British guitar amps and thus is associated with the "British Tone," as compared to the 6L6 which is generally associated with the "American Tone." Marshall and Fender amps are best known for these styles of tones, respectively.
Unlike the 6L6, (EIA base 7AC) it has its grid 3 connection brought out to a separate Pin (Pin 1) (EIA base 8ET) and its heater draws 1.5 Amps compaired to the 0.9 Amp heater in the 6L6. The EL34 was generally built as a true pentode, while the 6L6 was built as a Beam tetrode which RCA often referred to a Beam Power Tube.
the EL34 is still in production by JJ Electronic [link], Sovtek, amongst others, as a popular tube
Technical specifications can be found at [link].
References
- Valvo GMBH, Valvo Taschenbuch 1958
- RCA, RCA Receiving Tube Manual RC26, 1968
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