EL84 Recommendations

[Ninanina]

Looking to maybe upgrade the tubes in my Audio Note Oto SE

It takes 4 x ECC83 and 4 x EL84 as output valves

I'm not entirely sure whats in there at the mo but I'd guess the original Audio Note stamped tubes

I fancy a bit of tube rolling so can anyone recommend any tubes that are easily found to upgrade ?

Thanks all ;)

[Dingdong]

I'm repairing an Otto SE at the moment. It has Sovteks in. They sound pretty decent as EL84's go.
I fitted Golden Lions to a pair of Leak monos last week. Very nice I thought. Not cheap at around £85 for the quad, but worth it imho.

[Ali Tait]

These are very good IMHO-

http://www.hotroxuk.com/genalex-gold-lion-el84-n709.html

As are these, and a bit cheaper-

http://www.hotroxuk.com/sovtek-el84m-6bq5-military-spec.html

These are also good, and cheap as chips-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6P14P-EV-6BQ5-EL84-GOLD-PLATINUM-GRID-NOS-4-pcs-/261141017793?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3ccd37b4c1

[goraman]

You should have at least one set of TAD EL84STR to roll.
They are a little different sounding than all of the usual EL84/6BQ5/7189/N709/6P14P family
The usual sound leans to the bright side with a very shimmering top end and upper mids are pronounced.

The TADS sound more like a very high grade 6V6 giving more focus in the lower midrange and bass.

This dosen't mean they don't have anything going on in the top end,they do but it is not so bright.
If you like Blues,Jazz or want to make the most out of those big AN transformers the TADS are the Bees Knees.

They are a well made copies of the late 50's through the 60's RCA black plates, gold grid wire and very thick glass, I have had mine for years and run them at a high bias .25+ and they have never wandered from there setting like some others I have tried,there plates are huge and they have wider glass than any other, much wider and a little shorter than a regular EL84.



http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_TAD_Premium_Tubes_TAD_Power_Tubes_SELECTED/EL84_STR_TAD_PREMIUM_Matched_2821?selected_slave_i d=823

If you want a brighter top end/and less lower end the Genulex Gold Lion N709 would be my choice hands down,Both tubes sound great, the Russian 6p14PEV can sound grainy I have a full octet of them and they are strident as Hell.

I would first upgrade the little signal tubes as 95% of the voicing comes from them and 5% from the power tubes in most cases.
In my case with 8 power tubes maybe 10% or better but still upgrade the signal tubes first.

Can I suggest the Gold Lion Genulex ECC83 I use them in my DAC ,they are a fantastic tube for the money,even if they are not cheap.

I have rolled a lot of EL84's and a lot of ECC83's and ECC81's both old and new and this is my heart felt recommendation to you.

[Ali Tait]

Not my experience, the Russian valves sounded great in my amp.

[Ninanina]

Well I've certainly NEVER heard the Oto sounding "bright with a very shimmering top end"

The Oto is just as smooth as silk but I'm sure it could benefit from some tube rolling

:)

[goraman]

Well I've certainly NEVER heard the Oto sounding "bright with a very shimmering top end"

The Oto is just as smooth as silk but I'm sure it could benefit from some tube rolling

:)

Thats due to those big transformers,Peter voices his amps right down the middle.

[goraman]

Not my experience, the Russian valves sounded great in my amp.

A lot depends on the year they where made, the plant they where made in and how much Vodka went into quality controle.:eek:
The ones that came in my Manley amp I belive where late 80's reflector but I am not 100% sure.
I'm told the 1970's tubes where far better quality.

[Ninanina]

I take it goraman that big transformers are good then??

Maybe that's why the amp is sooooooo heavy.... I've got a bad back through lifting this thing, it's a nightmare :stalks:

[Ali Tait]

Not always an indicator of good quality, but can be. Of more importance is what materials went into making them. The ones in your amp will be good, but not top drawer, after all the amp was built to a price.

[goraman]

Not always an indicator of good quality, but can be. Of more importance is what materials went into making them. The ones in your amp will be good, but not top drawer, after all the amp was built to a price.

I'm sure they are not Peters uber priced silver wire jobbies but they would be strong enough for even the TADS as they produce a little more gain than your standard EL84. Peter as well as Evana Manley both use over sized transformers.

[Ali Tait]

Yes, they will be good quality given the cost of the amp.

[Ninanina]

I guess so Ali

I'm certainly enjoying the Oto though

I should have plugged it in before now, I've had it about 8 years !! :doh:

[goraman]

This is the same amp as mine, it's a hand full to lift.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130879095151?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[Ninanina]

goraman that looks lovely

I've always admired Manley amps

[goraman]

Bev, what are you useing for speakers and what music do you listen to?

[Ninanina]

goraman I'm currently running the Oto through Klipsch KG3's but considering a move to Hereseys (had a pair in the past!)

Music choice is Mozart to Marillion really, not a great lover of some jazz that's about it

;)

[goraman]

If you like Klipsch you should look at the RB81II.
A lot more refined and uses some of the technology from there Paladin line costing a small fortune.
If you like french horns and chellos and want to feel them as though they are real the TADS
will do nicley, I think they will pair well with your choice of speakers as I know the Klipsch stuff pretty well and have heard your Otto as well.

[goraman]

A link for Bev.
http://www.klipsch.com/rb-81-ii-bookshelf-speaker

A great pair and under $800.00 USD
Far better balanced than the old Klipsch stuff and smoother sounding horns not honky with some tracks.
At 97DB. 1 watt the Otto will drive them effortlessly.
I really liked them but went with huge floor standers.

[Ninanina]

In which country produces the TAD EL84's ??

[Haselsh1]

The finest EL84's I have ever heard were Genalex Gold Lions from here:

http://www.hotroxuk.com/genalex-gold-lion-el84-n709.html

[goraman]

In which country produces the TAD EL84's ??

The TADS come from a German company called Tube Amp Doctor
They had older popular tubes dissected and reverse engineered them then sent a team to a tube production plant in China where they are produced to very stricked standards.

[goraman]

The finest EL84's I have ever heard were Genalex Gold Lions from here:

http://www.hotroxuk.com/genalex-gold-lion-el84-n709.html

They are a good choice but seemed to favor the upper mids and had lots of top end sparkle too.
But I did not hear them in my own amp or in my system but in an Audion.

[Ninanina]

I love the smiley BUM :lol: