Best new production EL84?

[angelcoon]

I've got a VRY sweet AC15 Handwired. I've had GT EL84S tubes in most recently, and they're getting a bit worn out. I believe the stockers were EH.

Any recommendations for new production 84s?

Thanks,
'coon

[Tele-Dave]

I'v herd the EI Elites were supposed to be pretty good, followed by EH--Electro Harmonix. Supposed to give the warmest tones with minimal top end breakup

[Tele-Dave]

BTW Electro Harmonix (a U.S. company) took over the Sovtek line and are supposed to be big improvment to them. some people swore by sovtek line

[jrfrond]

Originally Posted by Tele-Dave

BTW Electro Harmonix (a U.S. company) took over the Sovtek line and are supposed to be big improvment to them. some people swore by sovtek line

Uh.....E-H IS Sovtek. In fact, Electro-Harmonix was Mike Matthews' FIRST company back in the 70's. Mike Matthews' company now OWNS the Reflector tube factory in Russia, rather than just using the factory as a tube vendor, and I think this is what you are actually referring to.

[navybonehead]

im loving my jj teslas. a much smoother break up than sovteks at higher volumes.

[Cassady]

I like the Ei tubes quite a bit, but I'm not sure if they're still in production or not. I've gotten a couple of pairs from http://www.dougstubes.com/el84.html and this is the only site that I see still selling them.

Other than the Eis, I generally will just use JJs--they're good tubes at a good price.

Cassady

[6942]

I like the TAD EL84 tubes.....better than JJ or Sovtek.
Still not up to NOS standards though.

Steve

[Billm]

I tried a couple of pairs of the Ei Elites. They started rattling almost immediately. I had a similar problem with the EH EL84s, even though they're made in the same factory as the Sovteks. I actually think the Sovteks are OK--reasonably rugged, decent sounding. When I retube, however, I use JJs.

One thing about NOS EL84s: Don't put them in an amp that doesn't have adjustable bias. Some of them (Westinghouse, for example) will redplate at bias voltages that would keep current-production tubes happy.

[Doug Ferguson]

I'm very picky about preamp tubes, given their sensitivity, but I've developed some power tube preferences as well. The JJ and EVH EL84's work well for me in my Blues Jr., BH5H, BH1H, and prior to those, my Peavey Classic 30. Balanced tone and durable.

[angelcoon]

Thanks all, for the useful responses.

I ordered some Ei EL84s from dougstubes.com this morning. A friend also recommended the Ei brand, and this is the only place I was able to find them, as they are usually out of stock elsewhere. Thought I'd try 'em. I used JJ tubes before, but liked the GT EL84S better (look like the same tube).

In the future, I'd be interested to know about the new Genalex EL84 and the Mullard reissue.

'coon

[xStonr]

I like the Mullard re-issues better than Sovtek and JJ's. I had both in my Classic 30. I have read nothing but good things on TAD which I'll try when the Mullard re's give out.

[Tele-Dave]

Originally Posted by angelcoon

Thanks all, for the useful responses.

I used JJ tubes before, but liked the GT EL84S better (look like the same tube).



'coon

GT just rebrands their tubes. If u look closely. u might see original markings behind GT label. Should be able to determine whose original tube it was.

[Tim Swartz]

I think the "S" designation in the GT line indicates "Slovokian" which would be a JJ. FWIW, I like JJs and also the Rusky military version which I believe Sovtec sells as an EL84M which has specs similar to a 7189 (400V EL84).

[Bloozcat]

I've heard that the TAD EL84-STR's were a very good new production tube, but I've also heard that they're not recommended for AC 15's/AC 30's. It's only hearsay so you might want to check it out further before you buy.

The Reflektor Russian Mil 7189's would certainly hold up in an AC. They can take plate voltage that would melt other EL84's. They're a good tube, but they have a definite break-in period. They start out a little harsh and strident, but mellow a bit as they break in. Even after they've broken in they won't be a warm tube. More of a harder edged tube. I still like them though.

I thought about picking up a matched pair of TAD EL84-STR's, but I've still got a couple of quads of Polam/Telam NOS EL84's, 2-Quads of the Reflector 7189's, an a matched pair of the Tesla (not JJ) NOS EL84's. When those tubes first became available, I jumped on them. I learned my leasson from past experiences when I sat and watched as all the other old standby NOS tubes went by.