What's the best EL84 amp?

1+ Manley Mahi Mahi.  Terrifically musical, easy to bias and run great current.  Took them to a shop once to demo their Martin Logans ESLs and they ran the crap out of them.  Salesman was shocked.  They are fun.

@dhcod It’s the amp. I tried to solve the lean base issue with tubes as well. It didn’t work. A subwoofer will though! 

Bent

The RM-10 is magical in the mids, silky in the highs, but bass shy.  I have run mine regularly with a subwoofer.  

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...

Hi dhcod, thanks for the EL84 question.  

As a young man, I first came across the Music Reference electronics in a large, comprehensive publication from "The Tweak Shop" in the mid 1980's, a California retailer for Music Reference.  Having experienced early McIntosh tube gear, I craved ownership of RM but had neither the budget nor confidence in the stability and longevity of tube amplification from that era.  Through a compounded series of good fortune through good friends, I was able to purchase a RM-10 MKII a few years ago.  It replaced my groundbreaking, purchased used NAD M2 Direct Digital Amplifier, a $6K all-in-one approach.

My niche in our hobby is finding the best I can possibly afford, THEN going to work to improve the design.  For example, the NAD M2's cheap case rings horribly, inexcusable for the price and a much-needed fix.  (I'm pleased to note, NAD's new designs have addressed this.)  After doing due diligence around the RM-10, I was NOT about to mess with Roger Modjeski's design.  Interestingly, in switching amps, the humble 35W per side vs the 250W per NAD, the dynamics were greatly improved!!  The perpetual mystery of audio.  

I first experimented with tube sets, which can be had for under $150.  Next, I applied a full complement of Marigo Audio Lab VTS tuning dots, drawing out its deeper truth.  A large "head's-up" to RM owners...do pay attention in cleaning the connector contacts found INSIDE the amplifier as well.  There are O-Ring connectors on the inner wires.  My two previous owner friends were unaware of this requirement and there is goodness to be had!  I experimented with power cords to the amp, finding a sweet spot.  Then!...despite my work under the hood, under both the amp and my Focusrite Clarett Pro DAC, I further isolate with one of these:

IsoAcoustics zaZen Series Isolation Platform 17" W x 15" D: zaZen II (40 lbs Max) (amazon.com)

Now, I don't know exactly where the improvement is being made, but the  improvement is similar to a tangible cartridge upgrade.  IsoAcoustics also makes a larger platform for heavier applications.  

So there you have it.  In my experience, excellent affordable gear CAN be improved upon in cost effective and tangible ways.  Do the homework and enquire from knowledgeable, reasonable people.  Uber power, room speaker integration and carefully integrated affordable gear, can get very close to the crazy stuff, and be absolutely gratifying.  The Music Reference RM-10 MKII found a permanent place in my approaching dotage system.  Ever onwards!

(bold print for old eyes)            More Peace & even order harmonics!  Pin