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Tubes Asylum: RE: el84 by bigklaw@gmail.com Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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In Reply to: el84 posted by duffman on August 14, 2008 at 06:15:19:
Duffman,
I have owned a Leben cs-300x for about three years and have tried many different combinations of both EL-84s and the 5751 input tubes. Tube rolling in the preamp section has wrought the most important improvments and if you are still using the GE JAN 5751s I would heartily recommend their replacement. They are very good for their price but there exists a potential for improvement with RCA "Command" 5751 (1950s/60s) and Phillips "SQ" 5751 (made by Siemens 1960's). I have tried a great many GE 5-star JAN triple black plates of all vintages and have not really warmed to their sound (too exciting with huge if not overblown bass frequencies in the Leben) and RCA, Telefunken and later vintage RCA's don't work for me at all. The RCA and Phillps "SQ" tubes turn the Leben into a true music machine, and even though your post is looking for el84 suggestions I didn't want you to overlook the preamp tubes prime importance in finding your sound.
Now--Back on topic-- EL84s! This has been a frustrating journey for me as I have tried a ton of El-84s with success in only four brands.
The first brand is the quartet of Mullard el-84s my amp was delivered with. I found that they were articulate, organized and musical, but lacked those same qualities at the extreme ends of extension. They are still wonderful, but I have moved on from the Mullards (as your post mentions them being out of your price range, let me tell you that there are better and cheaper tubes for the Leben)
The second brand are JJ el84s. They sound great and at their price they are a great value. Great midrange and good extension and articulation from top to bottom.
The third brand are the New Mullard reissue el-84s from New Sensor. They are NOT Mullard substitutes, but a great tube that seems a great improvement over stock Sovteks. Great midrange and balance. These tubes have still remained in my tube box.
My favorite el-84 are 1960's D-getter Amperex Bugleboys. They are expensive. BUT--They last forever. If you can sit and wait and save for them, I would recommend them without reservation. A true 3-D lovely midrange, great organization and articulation all through the range and balanced. Paired with the RCA "Command" 5751, this combination is truly reference. Balanced as all get out.
EL84's that didn't float my boat with the Leben?
1) 1970s RCA 6bq5
2) Mazda (EI) el84s
3) Sovtek el84s
4) EH el84's
5) GE el-84s
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask me any further questions--I'm always ready to help a fellow Leben owner.
D
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Topic - el84 - duffman 06:15:19 08/14/08 ( 25)
- RE: el84 - freaker 10:13:15 12/28/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - bigklaw@gmail.com 08/18/08 09:14:33 08/18/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - eds 21:27:26 08/14/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - Scottrt 17:05:07 08/14/08 ( 0)
Anyone tried Siemens EL84? - adinoto 16:17:59 08/14/08 ( 3)
- Siemens are very nice - Jon L 16:16:40 08/15/08 ( 0)
RE: Anyone tried Siemens EL84? - FrankC 08:57:00 08/15/08 ( 0)
RE: Anyone tried Siemens EL84? - duffman 00:22:17 08/15/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - Neff 16:11:56 08/14/08 ( 0)
- RE: el84 - Neff 13:01:40 12/28/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - geraldm121 12:59:34 08/14/08 ( 2)
- It's a shame about Ei tubes - Jon L 16:23:03 08/15/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - Vic Trola 18:48:10 08/14/08 ( 0)
Wait....... - Barney's Beanery 12:43:20 08/14/08 ( 3)
- RE: Wait....... - duffman 00:18:35 08/15/08 ( 0)
ps......... - Barney's Beanery 13:23:27 08/14/08 ( 1)
- RE: ps......... - Fairbanks 13:48:02 08/14/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - diamondsouled 10:14:35 08/14/08 ( 0)
King EL84 is......... - afilado 09:16:04 08/14/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - raykay 09:14:03 08/14/08 ( 2)
- RE: el84 - duffman 00:48:28 08/15/08 ( 0)
Nice job..................nt - afilado 09:18:39 08/14/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - FrankC 08:29:58 08/14/08 ( 1)
- RE: el84 - JNS 09:49:06 08/14/08 ( 0)
RE: el84 - JNS 06:49:11 08/14/08 ( 2)
- RE: el84 - duffman 00:29:55 08/15/08 ( 1)
- Let us know of the results.........nt - Neff 17:16:07 08/15/08 ( 0)