One thought on “Matsushita EL34/6CA7 Japan”

1. This one is a bit of a secret, but I will let it out.

   The Matsushita EL34 is not a well-known tube even 50 years after it was produced. Very few people know about it, but they should. Matsushita used Mullard equipment to produce its glass, and the result is the exact same sound as the Mullard Xf2 EL34—one of the most desirable EL34 variants in existence.

   These were produced throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s and were rebranded by everyone from the usual suspects to high-end names like Amperex and RCA, which speaks volumes about the tube’s quality.

   The Sound Test:

   It was hard for me to believe these rumors, so I plugged a quad into my amp. Lo and behold, the sound was pure XF2 Mullard. For those who don’t know, “XF2” is the type number (found right above the date code). While Mullard produced XF1, XF2, and XF3, the XF2 is the gold standard for many.

   The sound was rich and full, with impeccable balance across the entire frequency range. Truly wonderful!

   How to Identify Them:

   Identifying these can be tricky due to rebranding and the lack of date codes. Look for these specific physical traits:

   • A clear “Japan” stamp on the glass.
   • Two ridges located between the two holes on the plate.
   • A single halo getter.
   • A distinct seam on the very top of the tube.

   Why is it a secret? Because with Matsushita, you get that legendary, creamy Mullard sound for a fraction of the price.

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