Classic el34 tube amps versus current models


does anyone have direct listening experience on how the classic el34 tube amps of my youth (marantz 8b, dynaco stereo 70', conrad johnson mv45) compare sonically to the current el34 amps? i have seen some of theses older units for sale and have considered buyin one. i am in the market for a 2k -3k amp and saw an old marantz 8b in that price range.

i am a sucker for midrange and soundstage and listen to alot of female vocals. my speakers are original rogers ls3/5a and proac tablettes, both of which love the el34s.  i am inbetween amps right now, buthave recovered from a financial setback so i am back in the market
meiatflask

Showing 2 responses by bdp24

Mani-2, Roger Modjeski himself agrees with you about SET amps! He makes a number of different models of them, for use with high-sensitivity loudspeakers. But for use with low-sensitivity designs, including the OP’s LS3/5a and Tablettes, SET’s are often not the best choice.

Modjeski designs his amps for specific tubes. The RM-9 was for EL34’s, the RM-200 for KT88’s. The RM-9 creates 100w/ch from a quad of EL34’s per (the Mk.2 version 125w/ch), the RM-200 100w/ch from only a pair of KT88’s per! And that power is achieved not by running the tubes hard (which is common amongst other designers and companies, and which decreases tube life), but rather by creative engineering. And unlike every other tube amp ever made, the RM-200’s power output increases as the loudspeaker impedance drops! The exact opposite is the case in all other tube amps, including the RM-9.

For an EL34 amp, a Music Reference RM9 Mk.2 was listed on Audiogon just yesterday with an asking price of $2250 I believe. It is a far better amp than the Marantz 8b and Dynaco ST70. Dick Olsher did a great review of it in Stereophile when it was new, which can be found via a Google search. 125w/channel from 4 EL34’s per, and the tubes last a long time in the amp, a high priority of designer Roger Modjeski.