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Recommendations for 6BQ5/EL84 tubes (in Canuckistan)

doctor fuse

doctor fuse

Super Member
I'm looking for recommendations both for good 6BQ5/EL84 tubes (good sound tempered with not insane prices) and also for where to purchase in Canada (especially the Left Coast of Canuckistan).

Thanks in advance.
 
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Do you have control over the operating point and support components?

If so, you might want to consider the fabulous little JAN6197 (6CL6) as used in our wonderful LEBEN CS-300F.

Extremely linear run in triode and way cheaper than EL84 - for similar power - and virtually indestructible!
(We have never lost a tube in more than 7-years...)

Just a thought.
 
I have used el84 Sovtek tubes in my amps for years.
Available on ebay in matched pairs from a USA seller.
No affiliation.

Edit:
I missed the part about wanting a Canadian seller.
Sorry about the tariffs, our Canadian friend.
 
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doctor fuse said:
I'm looking for recommendations both for good 6BQ5/EL84 tubes (good sound tempered with not insane prices) and also for where to purchase in Canada (especially the Left Coast of Canuckistan).

Thanks in advance.
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I do not know about the orange ape's tariffs regarding tubes. If reasonable eurotubes.com resells all JJ tubes with good matching and warranty.
If tariffs are unacceptable, maybe som canadian coud taek contact with JJ and import ?
 
doctor fuse said:
Are 6P14P tubes decent sounding?
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I've heard a PP amp running them and thought they were pretty decent. They are still available NOS all over the internet and online tube stores. Just buy a matched pair. They certainly won't be expensive, and will last a long time with typical EL84/6BQ5 voltages and dissipation.

jeff
 
doctor fuse said:
I'm looking for recommendations both for good 6BQ5/EL84 tubes (good sound tempered with not insane prices) and also for where to purchase in Canada (especially the Left Coast of Canuckistan).
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Did you contact the enterprise that was suggested to you in post #7 and that you "liked" when you asked a similar question a a couple of weeks ago?

doctor fuse

Post in thread 'Best place in Canada to buy a 6F3P tube?'

The Soviet 6F3P tube is the equivalent of the 6BM8 and ECL82 tubes. Usually much cheaper
 
doctor fuse said:
I'm looking for recommendations both for good 6BQ5/EL84 tubes (good sound tempered with not insane prices)
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doctor fuse said:
Are 6P14P tubes decent sounding? Are the pins the same size?
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Hello to our friends in the north. I can whole hearty recommend 6P14P tubes. There's two version 6P14P-K and 6P14P-EV (-EB) that I like and can recommend both. Both are literally a direct replacement to 6BQ5/EL84 (same pins and fit), in fact both tubes I mentioned above can handle higher voltages, and more rugged than regular EL84 and still sound really nice. I listen to these tubes almost everyday in my Scott amps that's designed for 7189 tubes, which is the same tube as an EL84 but with higher voltage spec's, and I like the sound of them.

I have used 6P14P-EV, (-EB) tubes for a long time, but purchased a while back three quads of 6P14P-K's and been really happy with their sound and durability, I have lots of NOS (USA & German) and new EL84's (JJ) and still choose to listen to 6P14P-K's. I love this tube in my Scott 222C for its sound quality. I prefer 6P14P-K sound over new JJ EL84's.

Not sure about Canada duties and access to 6P14P-K and 6P14P-EV purchased overseas, but in the US its been very easy, quick and economical to purchase on the big auction site, I get mine from Ukraine, and have had many happy purchases.The prices are great.

PS>
6P14P-K: Specifically optimized and tested for vibration and mechanical stability
6P14P-EV: Built for extended service life under higher stress and plate voltages, I'm pretty sure these are being sold as new in line audio tube stores as Sovtek Electro Harmonix "EL84M" and are the same exact tube as a 6P14P-EV.

6P14P-K's are cheaper, I buy octet's and then test them on my tester to make tightly matched quad sets. They've measured well, but have received a couple of weak ones.
 
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Pacific TV has NOS 6GK6 at $11 each, they're equivalent to 6BQ5/EL84 except for base wiring. Can find them cheaper but US postage ain't cheap.
 
The 6P14P-EV are very rugged and long lasting. They perform like a heavy duty 7189. They do need some usage hours to "settle in." They were actually rated/semi-guaranteed for "5000 hours" of continuous use, at time of manufacture.

When we look at the genuine tube or tube box markings, they look like a 6n14n-EB, due to translation.
The Sovtek EL84M are their equivalent, as well. They are certainly cheaper than vintage EL84s and 7189s.

I have no experience using 6GK6 or 6CL6 tubes as output tubes, but that could be an alternative, if you stay within their voltage and current ratings.

Lastly, the epay Ukranian tube vendors have been very reliable, judging from their feedback. Years ago, I bought a pair from Ukraine, to match date codes from a pair of EL84Ms I had. The 6n14n-eb matched well and sounded identical to the EL84M tubes, as they should.
 
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I also agree that the 6P14P-K's, EV's, and EB's are excellent tubes. I'm using them in three different amps at the moment. A single ended pentode amp, a push pull pentode amp, and a push pull UL amp. The 6P14P's sojnd great in all three. The Sovtek EL84M's arw just 6P14P-EV's and will cost you more just for the brand name.
 
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