EL84/6BQ5 Tubes in Amps

[xenithon]

Hi all. Just wanted to find out from anyone running amps with EL84/6BQ5 tubes, which ones you have tried and which you think are the best. I have an ASL HB-1 which used a pair of them.

I read some good things about the EI and the JJ Tesla. Any other suggestions? Also, is it possible to get a bit more output with tube rolling? Currently using the stock Sovtek EL84.

Cheers,
X

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon Hi all. Just wanted to find out from anyone running amps with EL84/6BQ5 tubes, which ones you have tried and which you think are the best. I have an ASL HB-1 which used a pair of them. I read some good things about the EI and the JJ Tesla. Any other suggestions? Also, is it possible to get a bit more output with tube rolling? Currently using the stock Sovtek EL84. Cheers, X

I use Almarro A205a Mk II, which uses EL84's. I will say the Sovteks are NOT BAD at all! It's pretty neutral without obvious humps and bumps with excellent detail retrieval. In fact, some expensive NOS tubes (such as Mullard) sound overly soft and warm, but then again, some folks LOVE that sound.

I would say Amperex Holland EL84's sound better, but they go for $$$ from usual tube stores, and Ebay ones can be a bit trickly.

Ei Gold elites are reportedly to be the "best" current-production tubes, but the word is Ei has gone out of business, so the supplies are limited at most places, and they are raising the prices.

 

[Blackmore]

My amp uses 3 tubes, which 2 of them are EL84 SOVTEKs and 1 ECC82 Mullard or JJ/Tesla 12AU7. I am very pleased with this combo and want to try some different but not sure if this will be much better.
I mean what can other tube give you more? Warmth, detail, clearness or all 3 of them... Or maybe you have to make some combo's that you can use with ROCK and others with JAZZ music.

I am total lost in this journey and can use some good advice as well.

 

[jamato8]

I have some Amperex NOS from 1954 that are pretty good. They are the earliest I have found in nos. The Sovteks aren't a bad tube. They are not quite as smooth as the old Amperex but for the price difference I think I would go with the Sovteks except on special occasions since power tubes don't last forever though the old Amperex do pretty good. The old Sylvania are nice as are some of the older early 60's RCA's. They really had some pride in making some of the older tubes with the best days, in my opinion, the 50's and very early 60's though one of my favorites is the 1929 balloon meshplate 27's that I use in my preamp. Nothing better and nothing made like these today. I have 4 NOS in beautiful green boxes with trees on them. They new how to sublime art back then. Sorry for the rambling but some tubes are just plain fun.

 

[xenithon]

Thanks guys. What I found with the Sovteks are that they are a little low in the control department of bass; and a little rolled off. This could be stemming from the HB1 amp itself, which is also only rated at 15mW!

Essentially I want a smooth sounding tube (dare I say "silky") as I listen to a lot of vocals, especially with the HB1/W5000 combo. The combo is fantastic, so the tube rolling is purely for fun/tweaking (not to try change the character altogether). I don't want to spend excessive amounts - perhaps $20-$30 for a matched pair. I don't think I will be buying a $150 pair of Mullards, thanks

Have you had any experience with the JJ Tesla or EI (or EI Gold)? I read in some older threads about those which got some good feedback. Also, would any tubes help with giving a little more power (i.e. output volume)?

Cheers,
X

PS. any suggestions on a good place to get tubes which ships internationally and safely?

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon Thanks guys. What I found with the Sovteks are that they are a little low in the control department of bass; and a little rolled off. This could be stemming from the HB1 amp itself, which is also only rated at 15mW! Essentially I want a smooth sounding tube (dare I say "silky") as I listen to a lot of vocals, especially with the HB1/W5000 combo. The combo is fantastic, so the tube rolling is purely for fun/tweaking (not to try change the character altogether). I don't want to spend excessive amounts - perhaps $20-$30 for a matched pair. I don't think I will be buying a $150 pair of Mullards, thanks Have you had any experience with the JJ Tesla or EI (or EI Gold)? I read in some older threads about those which got some good feedback. Also, would any tubes help with giving a little more power (i.e. output volume)? Cheers, X PS. any suggestions on a good place to get tubes which ships internationally and safely?

Frankly since the tube is the heart and soul of a tube amp, if everything else is done correctly, spending the money on tubes is not an area you want to skimp on. Yes good NOS tubes are expensive but the right ones are worth it and if you want that smooth quality sound that is just the way it goes. Now you can spend less on some older Sylvanias and RCA's and they are very good.

 

[xenithon]

Right, I think I will be giving the Ei a go. Just to check - I have read that it is best to go for the regular Ei EL84 (not the Elite or Elite Gold, as those have had the pins treated and often a less-than-satisfactory job was done etc.)

Now, anyone know where the best place would be to purchase a pair which ships internationally safely??

X

 

[Duc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon Essentially I want a smooth sounding tube (dare I say "silky") as I listen to a lot of vocals, especially with the HB1/W5000 combo. The combo is PS. any suggestions on a good place to get tubes which ships internationally and safely?

A little limited in your price range, but you are guaranted a good product.

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/view_category.asp?cat=89

 

[xenithon]

Hey guys. I have two more questions.

The first one: is the 7189 a straight replacement for the EL84, and if so would it be better? I've read it operates at a higher voltage (400V vs. the EL84's 300V), correct?

Secondly, are these good choices / worth looking at. I came across ?
- GE EL84
- RCA EL84
- Sylvania EL84
- Amperex EL84

Cheers,
X

 

[Duc]

I don't think it actually operates at 400v. It looks like it is an industrial version that is rated to 400v. 7189A has different pin layout.

E84L/7320 is a high end version of the EL84

 

[xenithon]

Hi there and thanks. I read a few posts at AA saying that the 7189 is a drop-in (and a good one at that) for the EL84, but not the other way round...in other words there may be issues if you stick an EL84 in a 7189 circuit etc. Read a little about things like the E84L and EL84M etc. but I am a little worried about compatibility

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc I don't think it actually operates at 400v. It looks like it is an industrial version that is rated to 400v. 7189A has different pin layout. E84L/7320 is a high end version of the EL84

 

[xenithon]

Just read the October 2005 report on tubes at Watford Valves. Seems that both Ei and JJ Tesla have reliability issues...but the Ei a little more so. However they found the JJ to be less authoritive, and with less gain - not ideal.

 

[jp11801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon Hey guys. I have two more questions. The first one: is the 7189 a straight replacement for the EL84, and if so would it be better? I've read it operates at a higher voltage (400V vs. the EL84's 300V), correct? Secondly, are these good choices / worth looking at. I came across ? - GE EL84 - RCA EL84 - Sylvania EL84 - Amperex EL84 Cheers, X

I've tried the sylvanias and mullards ans while completely diffferent they both are very good. The syls are brighter and more upfront with the mullards being more laid back but great weight to the music. In my scott 222 I liked the slys and in my fisher kx100 I really liked the mullards. It a bit of taking the voicig of the amp and complimenting with the tubes. If you have a bright fast amp and throw in the slyvanias it's not the best combo

 

[xenithon]

Thanks for that info. Do you think those eBay auctions are good? Howcome when I came across tubes such as Sylvania, RCA etc. on other sites they are really expensive, like $100-150, and so much lower on that eBay online store?

Cheers,
X

 

[jp11801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenithon Thanks for that info. Do you think those eBay auctions are good? Howcome when I came across tubes such as Sylvania, RCA etc. on other sites they are really expensive, like $100-150, and so much lower on that eBay online store? Cheers, X

I do not have any experience with ebay for el84 sellers
I have worked with this seller before and had great results

http://www.vacuumtubes.com/6bq5.html
sometimes he can be hard to get a hold of as he goes on road trips to scrounge for tubes