What's your favorite EL84 for an AC15C1?

I don't have an AC15 but the Tung-Sol reissues were the best I found for my Bugera. JJs also seem to do well in Vox amps I just didn't care for them in my "Bug".


Review:

Tungsol EL84 / 6BQ5 - Combine the rugged build quality you find in Sovtek and the sweet tone you get from JJ and you’ll get a good idea what these tubes are all about. Structurally, they have the same bottles used in Sovtek, EH, and Mullard EL84 tubes. Thick glass, a bit on the tubby side, with nicely finished pins and rugged spacers. The getter design is different from all the other New Sensor tubes. Instead of a small cup these tubes have a single halo type getter up top. The plate coating is also different, having a dark burnished charcoal look. The screening is clearly applied. Overall they look very nice. If your amp will use any of the New Sensor EL84’s the Tungsol EL84 tube will fit just fine. Sonically, I compared the Tung-Sol EL84 power tubes with current offerings from New Sensor and the Tube Store Preferred series 7189. They sound very punchy and have lots of gain. The sound was more articulate than anything from Sovtek, EH or Mullard and was very similar to the Preferred Series 7189. I haven’t tried them in hi-fi equipment but I’m very confident they will be a hit in the audio community based on my guitar amp testing. Very low noise floor and no mechanical noise. Great crunch is easily achieved with a humbucker equipped guitar, while the sparkle shines through with single coils. When pushed into clipping these tubes just give off amazing harmonics and allow you to access some great, controlled feedback. I’m sold! The manufacturer claims the Tung Sol tubes are the best thing for VOX AC30 amps and I have to agree. Testing in my own cathode biased amp confirmed their statements. My amp eats lesser tubes from Russia and many NOS offerings, but the Tungsol EL84 tubes hung in. Not a hint of hot spots or red plating and no trace of mechanical noise or microphonics.

 

I'm using the Genalex Gold Lion EL84s in mine. They give me a beautiful warm shimmering chime, beautiful harmonics and great note blossom. Works perfectly with the AlNiCo Blue Dog speaker. The JJs were better than the stock Chinese EL84s, but they were too stark, bright and gritty sounding. I like warm smooth and glassy tones I'm getting with the GLs.

 

I use JJ's and used TAD's...both are great!

 

Says they won't take the current, I'm sure they'll fit just fine, they obviously just burn out like bic lighters. YMMV

 

I've a Valvetech Hayseed 30 and my favorites so far have been thetubestore.com's Preferred Series EL84. They are Russian and not too expensive, robust and sound great.

 

i like the sovtech EL 84M in my Winfield 18/30 head. raises the crunch threshold considerably, some feel they are to "hi-fi".

disagree.

the bugler, mullards and telefunkies are all highly sought after by the hi-fi kids also.

will better stand the abuse of the AC15 voltage and heat.

https://tubedepot.com/products/sovtek-el84m-power-vacuum-tube

also reported these don't fit ac-15 reissue - get a tape measure...

mitchfit

 

I gig a Matchless Lightning, which is basically a military spec AC15. It came fitted with JJs and I have always used them.

 

I'm jumping in here to respond to the genalex post, are there any other el84 tube replacements that are similar To the genalex's? That share the warmth, But ones that are sure to fit an ac15? (I'm new to the gear world so I'm soaking it all in haha)

 

I have no issues with the Gold Lions in my AC15C1. That's what's in it right now.

 

Awesome! I'll be looking into them then!

 

I like the Tung Sol's in mine. The JJ EL844 sounds good too. I have not tried the Mullard's.
The size caveats should not apply to these amps. I believe the C1 model production started around 2009/2010 and there is plenty of space around each tube.

 

6P14P

Look em up.

No better tube, IMNSHO, for an AC15

 

I put in the Mullards. They sound great!

 

TAD.

 

Shhhhh...don’t let everyone in on the secret!