The EL34 Gallery
6CA7 E34L
CV1741 KT77 |
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The story of the developement of the EL34 tube is not short. Coming from
the first Tetrodes Valvo got the patents for the pentode in 1927. The first
working popular pentodes were the AL5 and EL5 in 1937.
Then they introduced the
- 4688 and 4689 in 1940 the
- EL60 and EL61 (having the same characteristics as EL34s but with
different socket) and finally the
- EL34 in 1954.
Do not regard the labels or logos. The Philips EL34 is the best
example for the fact, that they stamped on the tubes whatever they wanted
or concerning where they want to sell them.
All shown tubes have the following common charecteristics (except
where otherwise noted):
- welded plates
- center hole in guiding pin
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Tubes from dutch production |
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Tubes from British
production by Mullard |
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Eindhoven, NL |
1954 |
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Blackburn UK |
1958-1961 |
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Code:
5X KEX
Identified by:
- flat ring getter
- extended
metal base
Comment:
Extremely
rare. This is an EL60 with an octal socket adapter! |
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Code:
xf1 BXX
Identified by:
- double ring
getter
- base larger
than glass
Comment:
Rare. There
are 7 different large bases. Some without hole in guiding pin! |
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Eindhoven, NL |
1954 |
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Blackburn UK |
1962-1968 |
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Code:
5X SYA
Identified by:
- flat ring + disc getter
- black metal base
Comment:
Ultra rare.
Samples found with 5O, 5W and 5X code. |
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Code:
xf2 BXXX
Identified by:
- double ring
getter
- dark brown
base
Comment:
Quite common
type. Good sound from these! |
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Eindhoven, NL |
Dec. 1954 -
1956 (1957?) |
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Blackburn UK |
1969-1970 |
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Code:
5XX SY0 or 5X SYN
Identified by:
- one piece disc getter
- black metal
base
Comment:
Very rare. SY0
Samples found from 54K until 56F, but also one from 57A (Jan. 1957) and
SYNs: 5D and 5F |
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Code:
xf2 B9XX or B0XX
Identified by:
- single ring
getter
- dark brown
base
Comment:
Common type.
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Eindhoven, NL |
1956 |
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Blackburn UK |
1971-1973 |
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Code:
56K SY1
Identified by:
- two piece disc getter
- lighter brown metal
base
Comment:
Ultra rare. 2
samples found:
both with SY1
56K code |
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Code:
xf2 B1XX B2XX B3XX
Identified by:
- single ring
getter
- black base
Comment:
Common type.
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Eindhoven, NL |
1956 - 1957 |
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Blackburn UK |
1973-1975 |
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Code:
56X/57X SY0/1
Identified by:
- one piece disc getter
- darker brown metal
base
Comment:
Very rare.
Also found with
56K SY1 code !!! |
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Code:
xf3 BXXX
Identified by:
- 10 dents on
top spacer
- folded
plates (stapled)
Comment:
Late tubes -
quite rare !!! |
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Sittard, NL |
1957-1962
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Blackburn UK |
1976-1980 |
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Code:
xf3 L7X - LXX
Identified by:
- DD getter
- brown
bakkelite base
Comment:
Quite rare -
great sound. Maybe my favourite one!! |
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Code:
xf4 BXXX
Identified by:
- 4 dents on
top spacer
- folded
plates (stapled)
Comment:
Last EL34 made
by the Philips company. |
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Sittard, NL |
1957-1962
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Code:
xf4/5 L7X - LXX
Identified by:
- DD getter
- brown
bakkelite base
Comment:
Quite rare -
great sound. Maybe my favourite one!! |
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Tubes from German production |
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Hamburg |
1954 - 1956 |
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Code:
SYA DX
Identified by:
- flat ring
getter !!!
- black metal
base
Comment:
Ultra rare! I
found DB, DK, DM, D5, D6 coded samples. |
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!!! FAKES !!! |
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!!! FAKES !!! |
!!! FAKES !!! |
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You don't
believe that there are fakes circulating? So look at these pictures! The
xf code looks self made, no D-Getter and the hole in the guiding pin was
made with a drilling machine!!! |
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