firstly, just thought i'd say a big hello to you all :-)

my system is as follows:-
icon audio stereo mc34a valve integrated
linn lp12/ittok/denon dl160
meridian 200T/203 dac
trichord dino phono amp
audio physic tempo jubilee
dnm speaker cable/chord i/c's.

i'm using electro harmonics el34 at the moment, but want to play about with tube rolling. i've tried the sovtek, but to me, they lose a bit on the mid, i want something with a sweet, detailed mid, but with a nice controlled bottom end. what do you guys suggest? i've heard svet wing c have a nice detailed sound. have any of you here used/are using the svets?
ta for the replies,
grafter.

Reading your system, I´d say you are in Britain.

Jorge

Jorge, you are dead right!

That´s great. We really can do with a few more europeans on this forum.

As for the EL 34´s question, sorry I can´t help you. My hands-on experience in tubes ( valves for you and me ) has been rather limited to KT-88´s and 6550´s.

I recently listened to a Prima-Luna Prologue 1 feeding some Sonus Faber speakers, and I was overwhelmed by what I heard. There was a Sonus Faber sub-woofer too, so I can´t comment on EL-34´s bass, but the rest was just glorious.

You might wanna find out what make of EL-34´s Prima Luna is using, though I figure they might be chinese. Don´t let that fool you, though, chinese tubes have improved a lot in the last few years.

Jorge

Great system.
My answer for you question is JJ Tesla. Awesome tubes at good price.
My other two sugestions are El34 from Siemens or Telefunken.
Of course if you find some NOS Mullard...

hiya grafter!!

Sounds like a sweet setup. Any specs?

what specs are you after hakka?

WPC. Phono stage—seems like the sensitivity in a phono stage is a tell. The drop in volume when switching to a phono section has always bothered me. How well does your amp push your speakers?

the icon is 40wpc, drives my 6ohm audio physics like a demon. very detailed and a superb mid, especially on acoustic guitar, piano, and vocal, very airy and spacious. bass is nice and taught, although not very deep is tuneful and solid.

the phono amp has dip switches which has adjustable loading for every cart you can think of, from very low mc to high mm. there is no noticeable drop on volume when i switch from cd to t/t.

Yeah, what he ^ said. Sounds like a nice amp at 40wpc.

The Icon 40i has been a hit ever since it was introduced some years ago, and rightly so.

Switchable Triode / Pentode modes, well built, gorgeous looking, the works.

Check the attached pic. Not a downright bargain of the century at £900, but very good value for money.

Jorge

Indeed a very good looking valve amp made in China, almost like Quad and Prima Luna.

i'll get some pics up shortly, prob tomorrow sometime.
the icon is a stonking bargain , it hasnt got the bass welly of more powerful solid state amps, but makes up for it on the mid/top. i tried the stereo 40i classic with my old martin logan aerius i's i had and it drove them superbly. to me, it embarasses many a more costly amp. it certainly outclassed my linn pre/ 2xpowers/power supply and that would cost in todays money 4 times the price.