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EL84 amp Vs. EL34 amp

I currently own a very nice sounding 12 wpc Audio Space Mini Galaxy EL84 int amp. Its a 2 chassis piece with separate power supply and adj. negative feedback switch. I've been thinking of getting an EL34 int amp in the $4-500 range just because its more powerful and I would have more speaker choices.

I've read comparisons of EL34 and KT88 tubes, but sonically, how would you compare EL84 amps and EL34 amps? Is the EL34 just a more powerful version of the EL84?

I look forward to your responses.
lou_setriodes

Showing 4 responses by lou_setriodes

lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes OP
692 posts
 
No sense in me getting another EL84 amp since I already have one. Part of the fun of the hobby is to try different things. I've already owned 6bq5's in SE and PP designs, so another 6bq5 int wouldn't be much different from what I have now.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes OP
692 posts
 
Thank you all for your posts. Please keep them coming :)

Its been about 15 years since I owned any EL34 amps (a cj MV50, Music Reference RM9 & AMC CVT3030 int) and probably about 3-4 years since I actually heard an EL34 amp.

Unfortunately, the EL34 amps that I owned at that time were kept for only a few months as I was going thru a transitionary stage and evaluating a lot of different gear at the time.

Ever since I got rid of my Omega Grande 8's about 2 years ago and with this economy, I've been on a hunt for the best sounding speakers I can find for under $200 and have gone thru about a dozen pairs of speakers since then. The idea of getting an EL34 amp and more power is to widen the field of possible speaker choices. From the responses so far, perhaps the EL84 (6bq5) may better suit my tastes, although it limits speaker choices somewhat.

lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes OP
692 posts
 
Thanks again all for writing in, but I think several of you are adding a zero to my budget. My amp budget is in the $4-500 range, not $4-5K range. Sorry, just can't afford the expensive gear these days, and in the process have found some really great low cost sleepers.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes OP
692 posts
 
I'd definitely prefer something pt to pt wired. Tube rectification is of lesser importance to me. The Cayin's are probably too expensive. The Antique Sound Lab integrateds look nice and I wouldn't rule out a custom amp either. I heard this Cheer EL34 amp (Bewitch integrated) a few years ago and that sounded very nice too.

Currently, I also have this moded Conn 6bg6 amp that needs a repair. It was a beautiful sounding 8 wpc in triode. It was also very powerful sounding too. Dynamically it smoked the 18 wpc 6L6 Dared monoblocks. (The Dareds had more immediacy, but the 6bg6 sounded sweeter). Wonder how this amp would stack up to an EL34 once I get it fixed?
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