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AUDIO FORUMS >> Replacement Tubes >> RFT EL84/6BQ5 … anyone?
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Message started by My Name is Earl on 04/02/24 at 18:00:49

Title: RFT EL84/6BQ5 … anyone?
Post by My Name is Earl on 04/02/24 at 18:00:49

I am considering a second SE84UFO and strapping both to mono, thus amplifying with monoblocks. So far I have pairs of rectifiers that I have tested and set aside as “best” for the project.

As for output tubes, I have been running 7189 preferred series from Thetubestore which I like a lot.

I’ve come across the RFT EL84/6BQ5 (NOS)and am curious about them but found no reference on the forum for anyone having tried them.

I would appreciate any opinions on them as RFT tubes are generally well regarded.

Earl

Title: Re: RFT EL84/6BQ5 … anyone?
Post by CAJames on 04/02/24 at 18:44:45

Yes, RFT tubes are generally well regarded. They are (mostly) made in the former East Germany, and if not exactly Telefunken or Siemens quality they are solid European made tubes from the golden age of tube tech.

I personally haven't had good results with EL84 type tubes, but that is JMO/FWIW/YMMV and all that. Good luck with your monobloc project, I had a pair of UFOs configured as balanced mono and they were so good I had to replace them with a pair of UFO25s. You've been warned

Title: Re: RFT EL84/6BQ5 … anyone?
Post by My Name is Earl on 04/03/24 at 19:32:57

“ a pair of UFOs configured as balanced mono and they were so good I had to replace them with a pair of UFO25s. You've been warned”
Ha! I hadn’t coinsidered the balanced option, so now I’m RUINED! My preamp is the fabulous Lab12 Pre 1 which has balanced output as well as single ended. So NOW I am going to add that option to my build specs.

Sigh.

Title: Re: RFT EL84/6BQ5 … anyone?
Post by CAJames on 04/03/24 at 19:38:20

Yes, balanced mono is pretty awesome. A couple of other posters have done it and (AFAIK) none of them have any regrets. If you haven't already check out page 17 of the UFO manual for details.

Title: Re: RFT EL84/6BQ5 … anyone?
Post by Dominick on 04/03/24 at 23:21:12

Earl,

I strapped a matched pair of fully upgraded SE84C+ amps into a mono block setup. Be prepared for audio nirvana. You’ll have plenty of power to push most speakers to normal listening levels with headroom to spare. Having the ability to independently adjust the volume level for each speaker is great, especially for untreated/imperfect rooms.

Dom

Title: Re: RFT EL84/6BQ5 … anyone?
Post by My Name is Earl on 04/04/24 at 18:40:54

It appears this hole for rabbits is pretty deep …

Thanks guys for the encouragement regarding going mono. My UFO sounds great now with the tubes I’ve rolled and in the rest of the system I’ve assembled.

I’m waiting for some carbon panels from Acoustic Fields (for low frequency management) to be delivered. My room is small so I’m not expecting to be able to achieve perfection, and I’ll need a different solution for 125Hz+.

I don’t want to make any significant changes to gear until the room treatment is completed.