What's the best EL84 amp?

Music Reference RM-10 Mk 1 acquired!

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. I'll circle back after trying out the RM10 for awhile. It'll be interesting to hear it vs my 9W 300B SET.

One day when we have some good A/C!

I have been trying to find a RM-10 for a year. They don't seem to pop up anymore.

Ok! I'm on the lookout! I also have a wanted ad on USAudiomart in case that's an easy way to communicate.

Is the RM-10 MK2 definitely better than the MK1? I've only heard the MK1.

Thanks for the info! This is incredibly helpful.

I actually had both version of the RM-9 (and got a chance to spend a day with Roger while he fixed one of them) and I think it's really about what you are pairing it with and what your ears like. Pretty sure with my current vintage bass reflex studio monitors, the Mk 1 would be better because these speakers are almost too clean sounding at time.

Still remember very well how hot those RM9s got. Toasty! But wonderful.

I had UA-1s with my ESL57s. They were awesome but not as good as the Rogue Atlas they made special for Quads. 

Interesting! I had a SIT-3 with my current setup and it just didn’t surpass the Sun Audio 300B and its 9 WPC. I really wanted it to work. Maybe I gave up too soon?

I miss Brooks more than anyone I’ve ever know in audio. What a gentle-man. I’ll never forget the day he gave me the key to the museum to have a look around.

I bet those Joules sound incredible. I also imagine you have very good air conditioning :)

We live in a small loft and I had the Stargates which were just wonderful and I really wanted to upgrade but the summers were tough!

pdreher, you may want to try a SET amp with those Altecs. You'd be surprised at how much you can get from 9W with very good iron. So far, my new RM-10 is actually a bit bass shy compared to the 300B SET amp I have. I've ordered other EL84 tubes to see if that's why but it's noticeable vs the SET and an old Scott EL84 amp I have. Both are tube rectified with huge transformers. I wonder if that's the difference?

All true so far. My guess is it's going to be a great amp to have, sitting next to my SET when I am on a non-bass kick. I sounds awesome and is a work of art.

I was hoping to replace the SET but maybe I just need to keep two amps to use depending on the mood...

It has lovely balls. It's winning me over.

Thank you. Very useful info!

I’m thinking now of keeping the RM10 and assembling a ESL57 system with an LP12 and a Marantz 7 Pre. An all mid century looking system!

I heard those ESLs around that time. We probably passed each other on the 405. I went to see him a couple times to work on my RM-9. He discussed wanting to buy. ARC, which was rumored to be up for sale at that point, because he knew everything that was wrong with their circuits. I called a VC friend but it never got any further than a theoretical conversation.

His ESL sounded incredible by the way!

@bdp24 Beat me to it :)

So the best that I've heard so far is the Scott 222C. Wow. Sounds like my SET but with more power. It's an integrated with Amperex EL84s, a Mullard 5AR4 and Tele 12AX7s, but it sounds great even bypassing my Lamm preamp. A tiny bit rough around the edges so I'll send it out to be restored but super fun amp.

Others listened to: Manley Mahi, Music Reference RM-10 Mk1, Heathkit UA2, an Eico, a Leben (EL34), Scott 208 (5791s).

I should try one. Those are two tubes I have not listened to, not counting a Quad amp I borrowed for a day.

Just to update in case anyone is interested. I got and had rebuilt a Fisher SA-100 which is the best sounding EL-84 I've heard out of all of the ones I've had. Simply, it has everything all the best ones have, near SET delicacy, but also BASS! I tried a Luxman vintage OTL and that sounds awesome but a little thin.... needs a preamp with tone controls.

Looks like it's been 3 years since one of those popped up for sale.

I wish I had efficient enough speakers for that amp. I've heard really good things about it. In the end, I was disappointed in the RM-10 I and II compared to vintage EL84s that I have tried. Same with the Manley Mahis. Just no enough back to front imaging. Everything is so midrange-y forward.