New EL84 power amps...are there any? (Besides eBay randoms.)

c_corie

Anything currently produced in a nice EL84 20-30 watt amp? I wish Primaluna made something but they don't it seems. I'm fine with my Marantz PM6004 for now...but I know one day I will want something tube. I'm running B&W CM8 and feel like they don't need as much power as everyone says, especially since I know from playing guitar tube stuff really puts out. Hell even a single EL84/channel amp would be awesome for my apt where I can't turn anything up.

george daniel

Any consideration towards the Carver Black Magic tuber?

c_corie

george daniel wrote: »

Any consideration towards the Carver Black Magic tuber?

Looks awesome but I guess I should have clarified that if I were to spend $2500-ish I'd prob go the Primaluna route and get something KT66 based. I'm looking (praying lol) for some sort of $1500 product.

george daniel

http://bobcarver.com/


1690.00

kcoc321

GF has the Shuguang Classic S845MK Tube Power Amplifier (pair)

http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Shuguang-Classic-S845MK-Tube-Power-Amplifier-pair.html


$1600 for the pair of monoblocks
Very sexxy

kcoc321

DSkip wrote: »

Good point! I wonder how they sound?

You can tel US... :-)
I see them hiding in your sig line..haha

c_corie

george daniel wrote: »

http://bobcarver.com/


1690.00

Where are they this much?

polkfarmboy

Take a look on the right side of the page, pure direct black magic pricing $1690.

george daniel

http://bobcarver.com/

look at the lower right side--I just checked it myself--

zingo

Decware Zen Triode if I was buying EL84

http://www.decware.com/newsite/SE84ZS.html

mhardy6647

zingo wrote: »

Decware Zen Triode if I was buying EL84

http://www.decware.com/newsite/SE84ZS.html

Decent sounding but seriously fleapowered. EL84 in triode mode a la Decware is 2 watts or less per channel. This limits realistic speaker choices. I have one of their early SE EL84 amps (SE-84B version, not as pretty as the one above but very similar otherwise). It sounds good but ran out of steam with Klipsch Cornwalls (sensitivity of ca. 100 dB @1 watt @ 1 meter) pretty quickly even with "little girl with guitar" music in a medium-sized room.

JoLida still has a PP EL84 amplifier, I believe. Manley has PPP EL84 amps (the Stingray and, IIRC, also a monoblock version) that should be pretty decent, too. I think Luxman still has a PP EL84 amp, too.

I - and others - have often opined: "I have yet to hear a bad-sounding amplifier using EL84 output tubes". That's a good enough reason for me to consider one seriously as long as one has/wants sufficiently sensitive loudspeakers.

EDIT - I guess that most if not all of the PP EL84 amps I am thinking of are "integrated" amplifiers in the sense that they offer source selection and attenuators on-board; I am not sure if any of them actually have active preamp sections, though...!?

There are some nice vintage EL84 power amplifiers: EICO HF-86 and HF-14 (Stereo/mono, respectively) leap to mind :-) Ditto the Fisher SA-100 and SA-30A, respectively.

zingo

There is also the Glow Audio Amp One and the Miniwatt/APPJ N3 for SE EL84; both are "integrated" and include volume control.

CoolJazz

Nobody has mentioned the Music Reference RM-10 yet. It's not on the low end price wise of EL-84 amps, but it is a bit more power than most others. Actually, double most! Sounds pretty good too!

Once in a while one will turn up used that can save a bit on the price.


http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/rm10mk2.html


CJ

mhardy6647

DSkip wrote: »

Mr. H, any experience with a Pioneer SX-34? I've got one stashed in the closet awaiting a revitalization.

The Pioneer SX-34 is the same as the Allied/Knight 333; see pp 104-105 at http://www.alliedcatalogs.com/catalogs/1967-260b/
It is a nice looking and decently-performing although decidedly 'bare bones'/entry level receiver from the mid 1960s. It is also low powered (ca. 8 wpc) and uses push-pull 6BM8 tubes (not EL84s). The 6BM8 is a combined triode and power tube in one envelope. The SX-34/333 is tightly packed under the deck; be sure to get coupling caps that will physically fit!

doctorcilantro

Or another beam-pentode with Decware amp Mini-Torii using 6V6.

zingo wrote: »

Decware Zen Triode if I was buying EL84

http://www.decware.com/newsite/SE84ZS.html

Jim Shearer

How about a kit? I built an ST-35:
http://www.dynakitparts.com/store/product.aspx?id=1

Didn't like their industrial style metal cover (which is also a clone of the original 1963 design), so I made my own.

Cheers, Jim

c_corie

I may have to start saving for that Carver amp...that music direct? site shows it as being like $2400?

Sprags

Tubes4HiFi.com offers kits and complete amps that are based on the styling and basic design of Dynaco amps...though they use updated circuit designs and more robust components than the original Dynaco components. The design are based on the original to the point where new components can be used in the old amps.

They offer an amp based on the Dynaco ST-70 that uses EL84 tubes that's rated at 35 wpc. I have the amp that's one step up from the ST-70 that uses KT88's that put out 60 wpc. There kits start at somewhere around $600 using top of the line components including a new polish stainless steel chassis in place of the original galvanized steel chassis. Fully built I think you can get kits assembled for about $350 more. The assembly is first rate.

I've had my amp since the beginning of April driving LSiM 703's and I swear its sounding better and better every day due to the speakers, amp and tubes breaking in.

Perhaps the design or appearance isn't exotic in appearance but the sound is incredible. USA built for close to what you'd pay for Chinese stuff. I suggest checking them out.

Jim Shearer

The ST-70 uses EL-34 tubes, see:
http://www.dynakitparts.com/store/specifications/ST70/?id=2

The ST-35 uses EL84 (6BQ5):
http://www.dynakitparts.com/store/specifications/ST35/?id=1

If you really want 35 wpc using EL84, then you will need more than a quad of them.

Cheers, Jim