Favorite EL-84 amplifier?

[flatwound]

Late ‘90s Cary SLI-30: stereo integrated, 2x 12ax7, 8x el84 (or 7189) In UL, SS power supply, 3x Vol controls, selector sw, headphone selector.
with 7025 inputs and russian 6p14 outputs it has plenty of sound power to drive my monitor audio bookshelf speakers. Would like to incorporate DCG efb some day-

 

[ceylon]

Here's a question: Whats speakers and sensitivity are you using with your EL84 amps?

For me, I have to say I absolutely love the EL84 sound but the near field speakers I use are not the most sensitive (90db) and found more preference/pleasure using my Scott amps using 7189's (EL84's w/higher voltage/wattage) over regular EL84 amps; giving fuller sound with more body. I think that slight bump in the 7189 spec's helped me prefer the sound of the Scott's, as my Pilot (EL84) and stock Heathkit AA-30 (EL84) amps keep getting swapped out for the Scott.
When the Scott's are working well and to spec, they sound wonderful and very hard to beat for the price.

with my pp amp using 90dB near field bookshelves with a ss sub.

with my SE el84 using je labs open baffle EV 12TRXB and a dayton audio sub.

fantastic sound from both.

 

[daveshel]

Here's a question: Whats speakers and sensitivity are you using with your EL84 amps?

For me, I have to say I absolutely love the EL84 sound but the near field speakers I use are not the most sensitive (90db) and found more preference/pleasure using my Scott amps using 7189's (EL84's w/higher voltage/wattage) over regular EL84 amps; giving fuller sound with more body. I think that slight bump in the 7189 spec's helped me prefer the sound of the Scott's, as my Pilot (EL84) and stock Heathkit AA-30 (EL84) amps keep getting swapped out for the Scott.
When the Scott's are working well and to spec, they sound wonderful and very hard to beat for the price.

Dynaco A-25s. Not a particularly sensitive speaker unless compared with an AR or an Advent.

 

[Dr. Beaker]

Altec 890C Boleros connected to my Diytube modified ST-35. Plays great in my basement shop/ junk room.

 

[mr_macgee]

Interesting list of speakers being used.

Recently been told to check out the KingKo KA-101 for an inexpensive but good sounding E84 amp.

Also the Grundig NF2 amp console pull, after giving it a proper service and update.

 

[nerdorama]

As much as I enjoyed my Luxman SQ-N150 integrated amp, the Manley Mahi monoblock amps were my favorite. If I go back to tubes I'll likely find another pair of Mahi amps.

A friend has a pair. He never cared for the sound. Even with the highest feedback setting , 10dB if I recall, they were hard and wiry sounding. I reworked the lowest feedback setting to have about 15dB feedback and tuned it for a cleaner 10kHz square wave response and a better frequency response curve. It may seem presumptuous to think a Manley can be improved but they didn’t do a very good job of this one in my opinion and in the opinion of the owner.