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EL84 suggestions

75.164.70.87
Posted on November 2, 2009 at 04:46:01
becketma@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 958
Location: Sunny Tucson AZ
Joined: May 21, 2007
 Looking for suggestion for El84 in PP.

Sp far on my modified Heathkit AA-151 and slightly modified Scot 222B, Russian RIO ,22 600V output caps, Valvo E80CF, and Sylvania bp 5751 for the tine stack, I really like the Tungsram EL84, Ei El84 gold pins and Mullard El84. Not impressed by Ge 6BQ5m and Russian El84M.

I have a quad of Siemens El84M enroute (for a Scott 299B I'm rebuilding, a pair of Phillips EL84, and a quad of Valuvo El84s enroute.

I;ve been trying to find another pair of the Ei El84 gold pins, but no luck,

Any suggest for EL84s I might like or where to find a matching pair of EI EK85 gold pins? Other tubes EL84 tubes to try?

Thanks
Bob
"He (R.M. Nixon) was a foul caricature of himself, a man with no soul, no inner convictions, with the integrity of a hyena, and the style of a poison toad." H. S. Thompson
If Ei EL84 floats your boat, posted on November 2, 2009 at 16:16:24
Jon L
Audiophile

Posts: 4834
Joined: April 6, 2000
 I'm afraid you are just going to have to find some. The last time, I scored some from an international seller on eBay.

I also have a ton of EL84's including Mullards, Tele, Siemens, Sylvania, RCA, Tesla, Amperex, JJ, etc, etc, and the Ei and Mullards are what I regularly use. Ei and Mullard sound drastically different, but I like a combo of a NOS Mullard driver (like 12AX7 or 7025) driving Ei, or Ei driver (12AX7) driving Mullard EL84..

RE: EL84 suggestions, posted on November 2, 2009 at 12:21:49
Fairbanks
Audiophile

Posts: 215
Joined: July 27, 2006
 I found this guy from Kentucky to have the best of the EL84's.However,his prices have gone up since the last time I bought some.

RE: EL84 suggestions, posted on November 2, 2009 at 12:12:33
geraldm121
Audiophile

Posts: 159
Location: connecticut
Joined: January 9, 2007
 I'll 2nd the recommendation that you give the 6P14P-EV/Sovetek another listen after a long break-in period (mine took about 2 weeks at 4>6 hours of use every evening)and I bias them slightly higher (25ma vs the recomended20ma)in my Jolida 102B. They really are excellent and I have come to prefer them slightly to my previous favorites the EI's. Even Leben uses them as their OEM tube on their std edition CS300. I currently use the JJ EL84s in my Cayin MT12A and they sound quite good also with a slightly brighter (but not objectionable) sound and the quality has been good on this tube so far. Actually it is hard to find a really bad EL84 so far only the "Beijing"/Shuguang manufactured version have disappointed me with confused/muddy sound.

Regards, Jerry

RE: EL84 suggestions, posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:29:29
diamondsouled
Audiophile

Posts: 608
Location: The Great White North
Joined: May 2, 2007
 I second the Sylvania black plate EL84/7189s.

You can sometimes pick up nice lots of used Baldwin or Hammond labeled ones on that auction site. They often have the painted tip that shows they are selected tubes. Most of the ones I've bought test close to new.

Cheers

Lar

RE: EL84 suggestions, posted on November 2, 2009 at 05:46:24
FenderLover
Audiophile

Posts: 3308
Joined: July 31, 2007
Contributor
  Since: May 17, 2009
 Sounds like you like vintage Mullard EL84 tone. Amperex Bugle Boys fits well. Provided you can latch onto some good, quiet REAL NOS Dutch made BB's. Japanese made EL84 may fit your taste. Be sure to have them selected for low-noise. I've had pretty good luck with Sylvania black plate EL84 and 7189. I like the Tungsrams a lot, too. Surprised you don't like the 6P14P-EV (EL84M), these sound good, but require a long break-in (much longer than standard EL84).

Most EL84 sound pretty good. I haven't used many new issues (newer than 1995). The one company that has been dissapointing is TFK. I've tried them several times throughout the years and find them consistently sterile sounding (at least in guitar amps).

BP RCA and GE are good, too. I use Reflector 6P14P-EV most. Then the Tungsram EL84. Then US made EL84 or 7189. Then Mullard or Amperex EL84 (1950-60's vintage)---these are just too $$$ now-a-days. Also tried India made BEL EL84 with good success. They have clean highs, not the aggressive bass of the Russian EL84M or Tungsram, though.

Never tried Australian Philips brand (for one of Philips offshoot companies) EL84. But, I've heard a lot of good things about them.

6P14P-EV, posted on November 2, 2009 at 11:02:31
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 8435
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 I have heard them in an AN OTO and AN P-1 SE and they sounded fantastic. As you stated, I was told that they needed a lot of break in time. This seems to be the case with all the -EV tubes. I had such an experience.
"What did the Romans ever do for us?"
RE: 6P14P-EV, posted on November 2, 2009 at 14:53:38
becketma@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 958
Location: Sunny Tucson AZ
Joined: May 21, 2007
 Thanks for the replies.

So far the Russian El8M ones don't light my fire. Its too bad cause I like their price.

So far, the Tungsrams give me the WOW! effect. The pair of Mullards sound great, have that nice Mullard coloration.

I'll ask that place in KTY about prices. The few guitar sites I find on the net seem to have stratospheric (or is that Stratocaster?) prices.

Best
Bob
"He (R.M. Nixon) was a foul caricature of himself, a man with no soul, no inner convictions, with the integrity of a hyena, and the style of a poison toad." H. S. Thompson

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