EL84 troubles

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Colin_D
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EL84 troubles

Post by Colin_D »

Is anyone noticing problems with JJ EL84's lately? I bought about 25 matched pairs over the last 3 months and I swear about 2 out of every 5 sets is just crap. I just put in a matched pair tonight and my amp sounded awful. I had 345 volts on one plate and 365 on the other. If not horribly mismatched they'll crack if you look at them the wrong way it seems. They've been my favorite brand in the past but I'm losing faith. What else would you guys recommend wiothout breaking the bank?
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tubeswell
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Post by tubeswell »

sovtek
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zaphod_phil
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Post by zaphod_phil »

Why do you want matched tubes? Bit of a waste of money IMO. But I agree with you, if they sound c**p.
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Nature abhors a clean tube amp

Colin_D
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Post by Colin_D »

I agree with you on the matched tubes ZP, but it costs me $3 per 18 watt amp to be able to say it has matched tubes, which people like. A lot of people panic when they find out you didn't put factory matched tubes in their amp :)
Maybe I'll just buy singles and call them "premium hand selected black magic voodoo tubes".
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dotfret
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Post by dotfret »

i WOULD SAY WITHOUT RESERVATION THAT TERRY KILGORE AKA SGT OVERDRIVE USUALLY HAS SOMETHING TO FIT THE BILL, EVEN IF IT IS OLD STOCK RUSSKI 6P14P THEY ARE WORTH HAVING AND THE PRICES ARE GENERALLY AFFORDABLE.

I just wish he would drop round occasionally - I need a laugh.
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