El84 wow!

organ

Oh man I've been listening to an EL84 int. 4-5w/ch single ended. This is my first time listening to the EL84 and it sounds awesome. MHardy was right, the EL84 is a kick **** tube.

I was expecting a presentation similar to the EL34 but more gentle and delicate. Instead, I got the complete opposite. Very fast, dynamic and open sounding. It makes all the other EL34 based amps I've heard sound slow and sluggish. No disrespect to the EL34. I have an EL34 int. and love it just as much. I like switching between the two units. One is lush, warm and romantic, while the other is the complete opposite.

I'm running a complete EH set. 6CA4 as rectifier, EF86 as drivers and EL84 outputs. The tubes have 60+ hours so far and the sound is really starting to improve. I'm gonna order Gold Lion, Mullard, Russian EL84M, and TAD to roll.

So who else are running EL84 here?

sda2mike

i have a jolida fx10..integrated...it's got 4 el84's and 2 12ax7's...it's pretty sweet..

organ

Sean,
Interesting. Maybe I should roll my EL34's again. I'm using SED right now which is slightly slower sounding than the EH, JJ, etc.

You're right. It may actually be the design. My EL34 unit is triode strapped while the EL84 is running in pentode. I'm going to bring it in to my dealer and have them install a triode/pentode switch. Pentode always have more "snap" and good prat to my ears but I love the triode sound.

Sda2Mike,
Cool. The great thing about these EL84's are the prices. We can roll them all (current production) without leaving a hole in our pockets. Have you tried any other tube types?


Forgot to post a pic yesterday on the original post...

madmax

Many call the EL84 "punchy" with efficient speakers.