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EL-84 Recommendations

Gigantic

Gigantic

A big, big love
I've had a Glow Audio Amp 2 for the past 6 months and immediately rolled the tubes to JJ Gold Pin EC-83S and EL-84s. I like them, but I'm starting to get curious about other power tube options, what other non-Russian tubes are recommended by the AK brain trust? I'm open to both NOS and current production, but I'd like to keep them under $50 each. I've used both the stock Shugang tubes and EHX and didn't particularly like either, finding them dull and boxy sounding.

TIA,

Lance
 
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opnly bafld said:
6P14P-EV made before the collapse.
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I've been trying the Reflektor 6P14P-P's in a push pull amp and a single ended amp.
I bought the cheaper "P" versions just to see how these tubes sounded.
So far I like them a lot. I plan on ordering a quad of the 6P14P-EV's for my Dynaco ST-35 clone. Right now I'm using a quad of Sovtek EL-84M's in my ST-35 and like them also. I've bought various Reflector octal driver and power tubes and liked them all as well.
 
Gigantic said:
I've had a Glow Audio Amp 2 for the past 6 months and immediately rolled the tubes to JJ Gold Pin EC-83S and EL-84s. I like them, but I'm starting to get curious about other power tube options, what other non-Russian tubes are recommended by the AK brain trust? I'm open to both NOS and current production, but I'd like to keep them under $50 each. I've used both the stock Shugang tubes and EHX and didn't particularly like either, finding them dull and boxy sounding.

TIA,

Lance
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You want ideas for non-Russian made EL84 tubes, right?

For modern, have you tried the JJ EL84?

There are a lot of good NOS EL84 tubes.

I like black plate Sylvania 6BQ5 (especially the red lettered ones). GE and RCA made very good 6BQ5.

Philips Miniwatt and Mullard EL84, for good examples of European-made tubes. Telefunken EL84.
 
Lavane said:
I've been trying the Reflektor 6P14P-P's in a push pull amp and a single ended amp.
I bought the cheaper "P" versions just to see how these tubes sounded.
So far I like them a lot. I plan on ordering a quad of the 6P14P-EV's for my Dynaco ST-35 clone. Right now I'm using a quad of Sovtek EL-84M's in my ST-35 and like them also.
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Do you mean -K version? That’s what I remember from you earlier posts.
 
spantou01 said:
Do you mean -K version? That’s what I remember from you earlier posts.
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There are various versions. The 6P14P, rated for 3000 hours. The 6P14P-P, a ruggedized version rated for 3000 hours. The 6P14P-EV's, a ruggedized version rated for 5000 or more hours. I've seen the K and EB and ER versions mentioned, but don't know the particulars of them. They're basically all the Russian versions of the 7189.
 
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I tried only the basic 6P14P and the EB (EV) versions, and while I hear what the EB does, I prefer the basic one, which I use most as I have a few sets bought years ago, to save hours from my NOS EL84's.
Favorite EL84's , Mullard (CV2975),Brimar,Siemens (E84L/7320). Surely many more . RFT can still be found at reasonable prices.
 
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60's Telefunken 7189's are the best I've heard so far from the el84 family, but also usually very expensive. I lucked into a quad in almost perfect shape when purchasing an old HH Scott for restoration. I really liked the Reflektor 6P14P-EV before hearing the Telefunkens, but now I'm ruined.
 
LP-THORN said:
I tried only the basic 6P14P and the EB (EV) versions, and while I hear what the EB does, I prefer the basic one, which I use most as I have a few sets bought years ago, to save hours from my NOS EL84's.
Favorite EL84's , Mullard (CV2975),Brimar,Siemens (E84L/7320). Surely many more . RFT can still be found at reasonable prices.
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I've read posts in other forums claiming the basic 6P14P and the 6P14P-P to be the better sounding of the various 6P14P's. I bought a couple tested quads of used 6P14P-P's just to see how they sounded in a couple amps I built. They do sound good. I'll have to look further, all I remember seeing really were lots of used P versions. The Russians must have used them somewhere that had them replacing them pretty regularly while still good.
 
Mr Boochie said:
View attachment 2942648
These are very good, too!
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I have an amplifier that sounds excellent with its original quad of Pilot labeled Tungsram EL84's. 60 year old amp design so might not be a valid comparison. I have one newish production tube amplifier that takes EL84's. My preference is for a pair of 6P14P-K's for their anti-vibration characteristics. I have enjoyed the 6P14P-EV's in my Fisher 7189 powered integrated.
 
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I like the Tungsram's treble response versus the 6P14P-EV. Reflectors are darker sounding, to me. Both are great tubes.

GE 7189A are also nice, powerful tubes.

I use those Russian mil specs in my Matchless amp. They sound so wonderful, Class "A," push-pull.

matchless_335A.jpg

matchless-hurricane-4.jpg
 
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Bought these NOS 7189s last summer for my Scott 222c (the 7868 are for my Fisher 400). Haven’t tried them out as the 6P14P-EB in there now are doing fine.IMG_1740.jpeg
 
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