Finding replacement amp tubes is hard. How do you know which ones will serve you best? The type that is reliable is EL84. If you need tubes that enhance the sound delivery of amps, read this article. You may find the ones you know are perfect for your amp’s performance.
Sovtek EL84 Matched Power Tubes Medium Duet
These power tubes give you smooth, warm and pleasant distortion. The improved sound quality is unmatched by other tubes and they’re perfect for Vintage VOX AC-30’s amps.
The Sovtek EL84 is used by some of the best amps manufacturers’ ranges such as Fender, Crate and Peavey.
The platinum set has a matching process that must be followed when it’s installed in the amp. The process consists of:
- A 24 hour burn in period
- A bias current measurement in milliamps
There are three breakup modes:
- Soft rated tubes break up easier and earlier which yield a heavier and harder distortion
- Hard rated tubes yield a cleaner sound
- Medium rated tubes fall in between soft and hard
Pros
- Sounds are enhanced instantly
- Easy to install
- You can get a sound you prefer with one of the three break up modes
Cons
- The tubes tend to overheat quickly
- Both tubes need to work to improve sounds
- It doesn’t fit most amps or preamps
JJ Electronics T-EL84-JJ-MP Vacuum Tube EL84/6BQ5 Power Matched Pair
The JJ EL84 is an ideal replacement for guitar amps or Hi-Fis. This tube is available in singles, matched pairs or matched quads.
You get a combination of great tone and reliability with this amp. The JJ EL84 has a quality construction and is designed to have a low failure rate. These characteristics guarantee the tube has a long lifespan.
This tube fits into those amps that supports the EL84 format. When the tube fits the amp the sound performance is enhanced in the following way:
- Music is smooth
- There is no unwanted distortion or static
- The lows, mids and highs are delivered as they should
The tube has a practical sound variety. Whether your music genre ranges from blues to metal the tube elevates the sound performance.
Pros
- Matched sets produce clear, smooth sounds with a perfect amount of gain
- The burn in period is short
- Music is smooth even at high volumes
Cons
- Unmatched tubes create a distortion noise
- The tube is fragile
- The tube can burn out within a day
Groove Tubes GT-EL84-S Medium Duet Amplifier Tube
These groove tubes have similar characteristics to the EL84. The major difference between these tubes and any other EL84 is they have a power output of roughly 5 to 8 watts.
These GT-EL84 amps are commonly used with modern A class amps for a creamy and smooth music delivery.
These tubes are a perfect fit for smaller size amps. The size won’t affect the performance even if the power wattage is low.
The tubes are perfect for recording or rehearsals because they deliver a soft harmonic touch. If the tubes are pushed into overdrive mode the music will be harder and edgy. These tubes deliver improved sound performances fit for any genre.
The tubes are made of hardened construction materials to make them long lasting.
Pros
- The overdrive heard is powerful
- The liveliness and sensitivity of your amp is improved
- Sounds are amplified and clear
Cons
- The tubes don’t have long lifespans
- The tubes can be fragile
- The tubes can cause a rattling noise on your amp or preamp
Tube Amp Doctor EL84 STR Premium Selected Vacuum Tube, Matched Quad
These German engineered tubes go through a premium selection process in which:
- All risks of common failures are eliminated
- The best materials and circuiting prevent any noise commonly found in tubes
All tubes are sorted and selected to ensure only the best are distributed to the public. This ensures satisfaction & reliability.
The Amp Doctor has a combination of the best tube types:
- EL84-Cz
- EL84M
This combination improves the tonal quality of your music drastically.
The tube was built to have the strongest construction:
- It has the thickest glass possible for a tube
- There is a golden grid which increases the reliability of the tube
This product is referred to as a premium selected power tube because it passed the following tests:
- Plate current (PC) and amplification (TC)
- Low noise test
- Microphonic test
- Sonic tests
- Shock tests
- Listening tests
- Shorts and leakage tests
The tube is guaranteed to last at least six months.
Pros
- It’s perfect to use for the metal or rock genre
- Consistent sounds throughout its lifespan
- Soundstage and tones are more dynamic lively
Cons
- The highs aren’t noticeable
- The tubes are too large for some amps
- Sounds aren’t smooth
Matched Pair Psvane EL84-T Mark II Vacuum Tube EL84-T II Premium Grade
The density in the vacuum tube reaches a maximum to improve these effects:
- Energy
- Dynamic performance
- Saturation of voice
This is all achieved by the smart design of the turbo.
The construction of the tube ensures it’s a durable and highly reliable product.
- An aluminum base oxidization case ensures the body never discolors
- Gold plated interface to ensure contact performance at the connection is improved. This also reduces the loss of signal
- Carbon crystal technology improved the stability of the electrical circuit
Pros
- You can hear new instrumentals that you couldn’t without these tubes
- Music’s clarity is improved
- The warm up process is short
Cons
- Difficult to match the tube set
- Vocals can sound muffled
- There may be no sound improvement depending on the type of amp they’re connected to
Conclusion
All these branded EL84 amps have the ability to deliver the sound performance you want. Which one will you pick? We love the Tube Amp Doctor for its durability. Is this what you’re after? Now you have facts to make an informed decision on how to enhance your sound system!
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Need more tools for getting that classic tone? Check out Pedalhaven’s list of the best guitar pedals for blues music.
Noisy tubes? Check out our guide on how to fix a crackling tube amp!
