I would not buy into the theory that the EL-84 is lighter, airier, and more delicate in sound than those other tubes you mentioned. I have owned both a Music Reference RM-9 and RM-10 and while the RM-10 has about a third of the power of it's EL-84 big brother, it has balls. Then again where most designers are hard pressed to squeeze 15 watts out of an EL-84 design, Roger Modjeski gets 35 watts. The extra power gives this little amp a bid sound versus some of the lower powered EL-84's I have heard. There is a 6moons review of this amp worth checking out.
Character of EL-84 amps
I did a lot of auditioning of ProAc speakers at Arizona Hifi...super excellent guys. I listened for the first two visits to a Leben EL-84 integrated, with around 20 wpc. It sounded lovely. Maybe the nicest amp I have ever heard. On the third visit I switched mid visit to the big Leben and pre, with 6550s. A much different sound. But, I keep thinking back, and think that I really liked the EL-84 sound. It seemed lighter, airier, less thick and heavy. More pleasant and easier to listen to. At the time I thought it possibly a bit thin. Now I think maybe I want that sound.
I have not heard other EL-84 amps. There is the RM-10. Manley makes one with 4 EL-84s per side. I have a Scott integrated I never liked, but maybe I can mod it.
Is it generally true of EL-84 amps that they are lighter and airier, more delicate, in sound than EL-34/6550/6L6 etc amps? Or should I not assume what is true with Leben is true with all EL-84 amps?
Thanks,
Jim
I have not heard other EL-84 amps. There is the RM-10. Manley makes one with 4 EL-84s per side. I have a Scott integrated I never liked, but maybe I can mod it.
Is it generally true of EL-84 amps that they are lighter and airier, more delicate, in sound than EL-34/6550/6L6 etc amps? Or should I not assume what is true with Leben is true with all EL-84 amps?
Thanks,
Jim