EL-84, Push-Pull Amp, King of Audio Tubes?

[Steady339]

I've read that some audiophiles feel the EL-84 tube--for push-pull tube amps--is the "King of Audio Tubes." Can this bold statement be true of the little EL-84 power tube?

Several audio articles support this view. An article in Vacuum Tube Valley, "The Baby with Bite,"; referred to the EL-84 tube's history and strengths.

In a a second article from the Mapleshade catalogue, Pierre Sprey claims the EL-84 in the smaller Heathkit and Scott amps out perform larger EL-34 and KT-88 tube amps.

The third article is a Dick Olsher review from The Absolute Sound on Bob Carver's Black Magic 20, a EL-84 based amp. Carver says, he gets great sound from the EL-84 and really does not know why, although one reason was a simpler circuit topology which did not necessarily need a driver stage. In the review's conclusion, Olsher says, "Kudos to Bob Carver for taking the road less traveled and focusing his design energy on the EL84 pentode; the power tube that high-end audio seems to have forgotten. The Black Magic will surprise many with a sonic signature that is more rhythmically convincing than that of most KT88 and EL34 amps. It boogies far better than many more expensive and powerful amps. Its major sonic attributes are a clear mid-range tone, plenty of low-level detail, excellent sound stage transparency, and a well-controlled treble range."

Also, Arthur Salvatore, on his website, HIGH-END AUDIO and Arthur Salvatore, praises the EL-84 based VTL Tiny Triodes as having, "excellent speed and detail like good solid-state amps, but they also have the natural body and richness of tube amps. . . Even the bass is excellent, with the right speakers."

In addition, some more reviews of EL84 based amps:

6moons review of the Luxman SQ-N100, 6moons audio reviews: Luxman SQ-N100 Srajan Ebaen praises this EL84 based integrated as comparing favorable even to the sound quality of SET amps!

Soundstage! review of the Manley Mahi Mahi: SoundStage! Equipment Review - Manley Laboratories Mahi Mono Amplifiers (9/2005) Vade Forrester said, "Robust and dynamic"; "orchestral sonorities were rich and full, with realistic instrumental timbres." "Bass was taut and deep"; "highs were similarly excellent; not etched or peaky, just extended and detailed." "They just make listening to music fun."

Roger