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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
desktopguy
373 posts
 
I love EL34s. Many years ago I had 2 100WPC EL34 tube amps, model RM-9, made by Roger Mojeski. I had each modified so all the (if memory serves) 8 tube sockets was switchable to triode operation, thus reducing the amps output to 50WPC. My intention was to bridge each amp for mono and use them in triode mode (each amp @100W/mono) w/my Vandersteen 4's mid- and upper-range inputs.

The bridging plan never happened, but I did use one of the amps in stereo mode extensively, comparing triode to standard sound. Let me tell you, those EL34's, run in triode mode, were a revelation. I've never heard anything so "real," tangible and tactile as that.

I also tried KT88's (I think that's the model #) tubes in this amp, and that was interesting: they sounded a little stronger & more impactful, but a touch less "real," than EL34's in standard operation; and they sounded weak and strangled in triode operation (that experiment didn't last long).

I still have the amps and all the tubes in storage.
psickerson
97 posts
 
Suggest you give primaluna HP a listen eith 8 EL34's.  Next up for me will be the KT150 tube which has received rave reviews. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,816 posts
 

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.

moofoo
291 posts
 
I am on my third Primaluna amp and have used EL34, KT88, KT77, KT120, 6550s and KT150s. Favorites are the 150s in triode mode, great mids, and EL34s. These two are keepers. Eyed many a 300b amp. Thanks gentlemen for this post. Learning so much on Agon from real world experience, Sincerely appreciate your time!

mani-2
42 posts
 
Thank you bdp24. Some very interesting details.
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