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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
danager's avatar
danager
959 posts
 

Another option is el83 with an el83 to el84 adapter.  They are very similar tubes with a different pin configuration

 

lemonhaze OP
417 posts
 

OK, interesting you mentioned the EL83. Is there a strong reason for considering these especially when there is the extra expense of adapters and doubling up of pin connections. It's certainly doable if the sound quality is worth it. I just have never heard them.

Regarding the sound, what's your opinion on them vs EL84? 

danager's avatar
danager
959 posts
 

Long story short(ish)

I own the Decware SE84UFO amp that uses 6P15P-EV, SV83 or EL84 tubes.  Ebay sells the Tesla EL83 tube as a SV83 (which it isn't).  Without the adapter the EL83 doesn't work (different pin configuration) but with an inexpensive adapter they work great.  Each flavor of tube has a uniquely different sound.  The good part is that all of these are inexpensive so you can try them all and  tailor the sound to your environment.  

The bad part is man I got a lot of tubes.

 

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