The Psvane Horizon EL34 vacuum tubes were kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. A Psvane Horizon EL34 pair costs $95.99 and you can buy it from Amazon.
Psvane
Psvane is a renowned vacuum tube manufacturing company that makes high-end vacuum tubes for audio applications (such as amplifiers). The brand’s product lineup includes many standard tube models like the 845, 300B, KT88, EL34, 6L6, as well as a lot of mini-tubes. Most of them are produced in various versions regarding their prices and sonic performance. The hierarchy is the following:
Basic – “Hi-Fi” and “UK” series
Selected – “Horizon” and “Art” series
Premium – “Western Electric” and “Acme” series
Psvane Horizon vacuum tubes
Psvane’s latest series of vacuum tubes is the Horizon, designed to deliver a more balanced sound signature compared to the Art Series. The Horizon series incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as the HPC-T and HPC-X anode coating techniques and utilizes advanced high-density ceramic materials for the tube bases.
The internal structure of the mini-tube models have also been reinforced to improve durability. Every Horizon tube undergoes rigorous quality control and burn-in testing to ensure exceptional stability and long-term reliability.
The HPC-T anode coating technology was developed to address issues related to heat dissipation and thermal stress in anodes. By reducing signal distortion and ensuring consistent performance, it contributes to greater sound clarity.
Complementing this, the HPC-X anode coating technology increases both anode efficiency and output power, while also absorbing residual gases, extending the tube’s operational lifespan.
The tube bases are made from high-density ceramic materials, which reduce conductivity and mechanical resonance, further enhancing overall stability.
You can read an extended review of the Psvane Horizon 12AU7, EL84 and KT88 models here.
Psvane Horizon EL34 vacuum tube
The EL34 vacuum tube is one of the most renowned tubes for audio applications. It has a legendary status among tube enthusiasts and it is valued for its exceptional musicality that is combined with powerful low-end and good technical performance.
This power pentode tube was introduced in 1955 by Mullard, which was owned by Philips. The EL34 has an octal base and is found mainly in the final output stages of audio amplification circuits.
The Psvane Horizon EL34 vacuum tubes are produced with the brand’s exclusive coating techniques and improved materials while they undergo thorough quality control and at least 24 hours of burn-in test before they leave the factory.
The test set-up
The tubes arrived as a matched quad to be used at the output stage of the Lab 12 intengee4 Mk2 (Toroid Version) integrated amplifier. This amplifier is renowned for its expressive and musical character that is combined with solid state-like technical performance and transparency. The amplifier has an easy bias system and is compatible with the EL34, 6550, KT88, KT120, KT150 and KT170 vacuum tube models.
The reference audio system consists also of the Audio Physic Spark three-way stand mount speakers, the Lab 12 dac1 reference, the Volumio Rivo Plus streamer and the Lab 12 gordian power conditioner. The system is positioned in an acoustically treated listening room.
The Psvane Horizon EL34 vacuum tubes replaced the Horizon KT88 tubes that I have been using for the past few months. The Audio Physic Spark speakers are not that difficult to drive but they do need vacuum tube amplifiers with beefy output transformers and prefer the more powerful output tubes like the KT88, KT150 and KT170 models.
Let’s talk power
The EL34 tubes are borderline enough to drive the Spark speakers with satisfying headroom, dynamic range and driver control without making the amplifier clip or reach its limits. They can’t touch the driving performance of the KT170, which are the most powerful tubes in production, but I can always sacrifice some power in favor of the deliciously harmonic timbre of the EL34. This is why the Psvane EL34-PH, a higher-end variant of the Horizon EL34 and a replica of the legendary Philips EL34, is one of my favorite tube sets that I frequently use for music listening.
The Horizon EL34 tubes are not that different in driving performance than the pricier EL34-PH. They do a very decent job in powering the Audio Physic Spark speakers without too many takeaways in comparison with the more powerful tube variants. The EL34 offers good driver grip and produces deep and impactful bass without much lack of control.
These tubes can’t quite reach the driving performance of the KT88 or the KT170 but with acoustic music or small ensembles you are not going to find them as lacking. With more demanding material you might have wished for a little more headroom and power reserves but still the performance is very satisfying.
Please note that the above comments apply to the Audio Physic Spark speakers that are a marginally suitable load for the EL34 tubes and they still perform very well. If you happen to have more efficient speakers, then the EL34 tubes will have absolutely no problem to drive them into their full potential with strong and powerful bass. It is very well known that the right speaker matching is absolutely essential when it comes to music listening with tubes.
Powerful low-end
Assuming that you have speakers efficient enough for the EL34 tubes, then you are going to enjoy high grade bass with strong technicalities and fine texture qualities that only a few selected solid state amplifiers can produce. The EL34 offers deep low-end that is exceptionally visceral and elastic, weighty, lush and layered. The mid-bass has a touch of a tasty emphasis, or a mild coloration if you prefer, that makes it more pleasing to the ear without compromising its tonal accuracy.
The tubes affect the harmonic frequencies rather than altering the actual frequency response. They also tend to add some kind of a natural reverb that applies extra realism to the low-end without inducing artificial echo. In comparison to the Psvane Horizon KT88 tubes, the EL34 are slightly lacking in overall technical performance and dynamic punch but they produce less dry, more visceral and euphonic bass.
The magical mid-range
Its melodic mid-range is what made the EL34 tube become a legend and the Psvane Horizon EL34 continues in the exact same vein. The sound produced is unbelievably organic and expressive with plenty of colorful harmonic saturation but still flat enough without audible frequency response deviations. The timbre is especially natural and musical, you will have to search a lot in order to find similar performance from a solid state amplifier. The EL34 tubes are very skillful in communicating the real essence of the music and make it resonate within the listener’s senses. Listening to your favorite tunes with the Horizon EL34 tubes can become a very addictive habit and make you forget about anything else.
These tubes have the unique ability to make the performers gain flesh and rise alive at the front of the listener’s seat. You can almost touch the musicians and hug the singers, so the music becomes live as never before. The sense of realism is impressive, instruments and voices sound eerily lifelike with full bodied and weighty textures. The EL34 tubes are especially euphonic but they don’t lack in accuracy and transparency. They effectively blend excellent technical performance with the famous natural timbre and the deep musicality of the EL34 tubes.
Rising higher
The same principles apply to the higher frequencies that are presented with politeness but still not lacking in extension and energy. Surely, the KT170 tubes have a more bright and energetic character, they offer better top end extension and more sparkle but they don’t sound as natural as the EL34. It is not that the timbre of KT170 is artificial, we are talking about tubes after all, but the EL34 has the unique means to make the sound extremely realistic and euphonic.
Thus said, people who prefer faster and more resolving treble with extra detail retrieval and definition should opt for the KT88 or even better the KT170 tubes. But it is unlikely that they are going to get the same kind of refinement as with the EL34 which is miraculous in reproducing the most authentic sound with unmatched texture quality. With the EL34 tubes, the treble will never sound brittle, metallic, thin or dry, thus guaranteeing a fatigue free and natural listening experience.
A few words about the soundstage
Tubes are renowned for their holographic and grand sized soundstage, and the Psvane Horizon EL34 tubes are the perfect example of that. They can make the speakers disappear from the listener’s sight and produce a soundstage that extends outside the conventional boundaries both in width and depth. The room fills with music, you just close your eyes and forget that you are listening to your speakers.
The depth layering is impressive and so are the height and the holographic relief of the soundstage. The EL34 can’t match the imaging and the surgical positioning accuracy of the KT170 tubes or of high-end solid state amplifiers, but it still performs exceptionally well without having much problem positioning the performers at their right place within the soundstage. I never found them to sound congested or lose composure no matter how busy the music track.
Vs the Psvane EL34-PH
The Psvane EL34-PH will set you back $314 for a matched quad, that is $122 more than the Horizon EL34. This extra amount of cash buys you a higher quality tube that has a little more of everything and outperforms the Horizon variant but not in a night and day fashion.
The EL34-PH is a tube that sounds more musical and expressive with even more natural and realistic timbre than the Horizon EL34. The soundstage is more holographic and immersive with improved imaging accuracy. The textures are fuller and weightier while the images appear larger.
This tube is distinguished by its more dynamic and punchy low-end while it is more resolving and refined. However, the Psvane Horizon EL34 performs admirably well and it definitely offers more value for money than its more expensive sibling.
In the end
The Psvane Horizon EL34, just like all the other tubes from this series that I have previously tested, is a remarkable tube that combines exceptional musicality and natural timbre with solid-state technicalities and transparency.
The Horizon EL34 is very reasonably priced and represents an excellent value for anyone in search to get a good taste of the legendary EL34 mid-range magic but in a modern sonic approach. Just remember to use speakers with the appropriate sensitivity and get ready for hours of pure musical bliss.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Musicality meets precision
+ Very good technical performance and transparency
+ Extremely natural and organic timbre
+ Exceptional tonal balance
+ Weighty and visceral bass
+ Euphonic and expressive mid-range
+ Smooth yet extended and airy treble
+ Holographic and immersive soundstage
+ Plenty of power to drive sensitive speakers
+ No background or microphonic noise
+ High quality materials and craftsmanship
+ Readily available and excellent value for money
- Not as punchy and dynamic as the KT88 or KT170 tubes
- Not as energetic and fast as the KT88 and KT170 tubes
- Not as euphonic and musical as the Psvane EL34-PH
- Best used with sensitive speakers
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