What's the best EL84 amp?

Shindo Montille is a great one

I’ve had experience with two EL84 amps, both of which I’ve kept in the mix over the years. Vintage: Eico HF-81. Great midrange, hard to fault, except for low damping factor. My more powerful Anthem Integrated 1, with a quad of el84’s, has proved a sleeper. It’s paired well with Quad 57’s (the Eico not so much). Because it’s really good with every speaker I’ve tried, I won’t get rid of it. Even when it caught fire due to a short on a JJ output tube (more tubes, more can go south). Should be fused, but no. Still worth the replaced resistors- back in service and sounding great with old Monitor Audio MA3’s . . .

Sorry- these are both integrateds! My only experience with EL84 monoblocks is with Heathkit UA-1’s. They get lots of good press, especially with ESL57’s. My experience was they need very efficient speakers to be OK. Despite Sheldon Stokes’ claims, they crapped out in an appropriately treated listening room.

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

Sorry- these are both integrateds! My only experience with EL84 monoblocks is with Heathkit UA-1’s. They get lots of good press, especially with ESL57’s. My experience was they need very efficient speakers to be OK. Despite Sheldon Stokes’ claims, they crapped out in an appropriately treated listening room.