EL-84, Push-Pull Amp, King of Audio Tubes?

[Formerly YB-2]

Nice work.

[Formerly YB-2]

......... after listening to the stock tubes for ~48hr of run-time, have rolled in a pair of matched triode NOS Tungsram ECC82s and a new reissue gold-pin Tung-Sol ECC83 and an immediate widening & deepening of the sound-stage with pin-point location of the players. Should be even better after another 48hr, or so, of tube run-in. I was starting to worry about all of this with the stock tubes. With such a nice improvement in sonics with these tubes, am really looking forward to the arrival of the new output tubes.

[bILLwOJO]

My very first time of listening to a tube amp since my teens was at a friends house. He had a Magnavox EL84PP amp that he pulled from a console. He hooked it up to an old set of Pioneer speakers from the early 1960's and used a CD player as a source. Played "Riders on the Storm" by the Doors. When the organ player tumbles down the keyboard it was magical, the notes had a sparkle to them. He saw me grinning and knew I was hooked. Yea, EL84's have a special sound to them.

BillWojo

[Formerly YB-2]

So, Bill......... what EL84 tube amp do you have or are you considering?

[bILLwOJO]

The only EL84 amp that I have is that same maggie amp that captivated me. It's sitting on my shelf waiting for me to rebuild it.
In the mean time I have my Mac MC40 mono blocks, a Dennis Had Inspire KT66 SE amp and a few others. I just recently picked up the Inspire amp and I'm having fun trying out different tubes. Yea, the tube bug got me.

BillWojo

[Formerly YB-2]

Totally understand.

[Bombadil]

The EL84 does produce a very smooth, warm sound. Not as defined or extended on lows, not as detailed on highs. Midrange is excellent, I like it better than the EL34 in this regard. A classic tubey sound.

I presently own two EL84 amps, and had several in the past. I still remember how nice an Eico HF81 sounded.

All in all, it's my favorite tube. Although I do love my 6CA7 running in triode mode.

[Steady339]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

The EL84 does produce a very smooth, warm sound. Not as defined or extended on lows, not as detailed on highs. Midrange is excellent, I like it better than the EL34 in this regard. A classic tubey sound. I presently own two EL84 amps, and had several in the past. I still remember how nice an Eico HF81 sounded. All in all, it's my favorite tube. Although I do love my 6CA7 running in triode mode.

Bombadil, In my experience the EL84 on the Manley 35 Watt mono blocks with Mercury Magnetics transformers has quick, detailed highs, clear, uncolored midrange, and excellent PRAT in the bass. Probably a function of the circuit the EL84 is in for treble and bass reproduction. Not that everything is perfect on these Manley monos though. They run very hot--like a couple of space heaters--and I wish they were quieter at idle than they are.

[nelson1952]

I have a Heathkit 151 restored by Sams Audio and with the right speakers it's truly a magical experience.

[Vinyl Valet]

My favorite push-pull output tube as well assuming the speaker match is correct.

I use EL84s in my Manley Mahis and Kingko KA-101 Pro.