• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Single ended EL84 opinions

Smelly Caps

Smelly Caps

Behind a soldering iron!
I wanted to build a proper SET but tube and transformer costs are huge so I thought I'd start with a single ended EL84 amp for learning experience.

I know that some of these set-ups came standard in Magnivox console-pulls. If you have any listening experience with a single ended EL84 amp can you please share your insights and thoughts on it? Any insight is appreciated!
 
Register to hide this ad
If 1-2W of output power is enough, you may try it. But speakers with required efficiency (usually large horns) are very expensive, so you won't likely save anything. Try to find one of Chinese SETs on used market. You should be able to get amp with 300B tubes at around $500 and with 845 tubes well under $1000. With 8-12W which you can get from them your choice of speakers will be much wider.
 
Single Ended EL84 sounds great. (I listen daily to one.) Search the threads, there are several good builds using Maggie chassis as a start. Look at the 'RH84' circuit as well. Replacing the small Maggie OPTs with better iron is very worthwhile.
 
Last edited:
I had an Almarro A205A MK II that was fabulous - it made me a convert to the single ended sound. Another AKer has it now. They are technically not SET amps since the EL84 is a Pentode - so, they are SEP amps, but they are very nice. I have seen some pretty tricked out re-makes of those Maggie console pulls too, but I have not heard one.
 
I refurbed two magnavox SE 6BQ5/EL84 amps(196 and 8601) and altho they did sound nice they had no
character, presesnce, power, depth, spaciousness of say the PP 6BQ5 amp and the 6V6 PP amp I also have.
They are ok for a small room small bookshelf speaker system but not much more.
IMO only of course. Your experience may differ.
 
I have an Almarro A205A as well and it sounds great, even with acoustic suspension speakers it has enough power for a decent volume level. With more efficient speakers a pretty amazing sound. :yes:
 
My favorite amps are SETs of the 300b/2a3/45 nature but I also use a SEP amp on occasion that uses the el84 and it's a joy go listen to. I really like the el84 tube, so much so that I took a chance with the purchase of a vintage Scott 399 receiver that uses two el84/7189's per side in a pp circuit and that brings a big smile when listening (and looking :D).

I'd say go for it. Make sure you have appropriate speakers. I don't know how much better it would sound if "wired" in triode, I like it just the way it is.
 
6F6 reminds A lot of EL84 great mids/top end the lows a bit lacking etc, but still some 6v6 flavor maybe? Just not as dull sounding.
 
Last edited:
Redboy built a pair of el84 monos that sound stunning. Do a search, he did a build thread I believe.
 
A good design should squeeze 5 watts out of a 6BQ5, easily enough to power mid 90's efficient speakers. Do a google search for "fire-bottle EL-84" for one example....
 
The Magnavox 196BA is a good little SE amp if you want to simply dip a toe in the waters as it can be found pretty cheaply. You need to make sure that whatever SE amp you choose has a good match (impedance and sensitivity-wise) in your speakers.

-D
 
I have a Maggie SEP amp and it is really sweet sounding. It just doesn't have enough juice for getting crazy loud on classic rock. Every once in a while I like it crazy loud.
 
Last edited:
I am tri amping using mono SEP amps pulled from an Akai reel to reel driving large format Altec Mantaray horns with a Maggie console pull SEP stereo to drive EV high frequency horns...These are highly efficient horns that can easily play to live cocktail lounge db levels and I can push them to get that live rock and roll club sound. Aside from playing loud with efficient speakers, these little amps have a beautiful tonal quality. I've had them drive less efficient speakers with nice sound but they left me wanting more db..I have never owned a SET amp but would love to hear what all the fuss is about.
 
ldatlof said:
I have a Maggie SEP amp and it is really sweet sounding. It just doesn't have enough juice for getting crazy loud on classic rock. Every once in a while I like it crazy loud.
Click to expand...

That's why you need a small stable of various power / topology tube amps. :thmbsp:

-D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom