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Recommend new EL84 tubes

Hi all, I have been contacted by a good friend asking me to source 8 X EL84 for his Manley Stingray which is a parallel P-P integrated amp.

He has had the original valves for about 10 years, which I think are rebranded Sovteks or Electro Harmonix 6Pi14Pi-EB.  

2 sets of matched quads will do. He is looking to improve on the originals. The amp has individual bias pots for each valve so perfect matching is not paramount.

He also needs a pair of 12AT7's. Best quality needed for this position.

lemonhaze
pehare's avatar
pehare
835 posts
 

I recommend Anthony at http://www.tubeaudiostore.com/

He's taken over the helm at Music Reference and has select EI and Sovtek EL84M.  I've used them exclusively in my RM10 for over 11 years and Never had one short or wear out.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

7189 tubz will give u few more watz

lemonhaze OP
417 posts
 

Firstly, thanks to all who have responded.

The originals were certainly reliable and have lasted well and the sensible thing would be to use them again but my mate is asking for something that sounds better. My last experience in a DIY amp of mine was with JJ EL84 which I thought were just OK but not great. Difficult making decisions for a friend especially in a different country where he will be ripped off.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,559 posts
 

Brent Jesse let me return tubes I did not like the sound of, after he told me to play them for 60 hours to see if their sound changed to my liking.

I chose less costly alternates, he gave me a refund for the difference in cost, happy I am.

https://www.audiotubes.com/

It's not just the power tubes that effect the sound.

lemonhaze OP
417 posts
 

It's not just the power tubes that effect the sound.

Sure, that's why I posted : "He also needs a pair of 12AT7's. Best quality needed for this position"

Your link to audiotubes is great.  I have just been reading the ECC81/12AT7 page. I did not realise there were that many alternatives.

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