TAD EL84's?

[clyde]

Has anyone used these? I have a quad and tried them but they weren't quite the right dissipation range for my TB 18. I tried them in my Heathkit UA-1 monoblocks for stereo and they sounded better than any others I had in the house (JJ's, EL84M's, EI's) with a very subdued and sweet upper end.

[spunky]

I am using this tube in my Valve Junior head and bought a second matched set for my TMB build.

they weren't quite the right dissipation range for my TB 18

Cane this be corrected?

[markh]

they weren't quite the right dissipation range for my TB 18

Can this be corrected?

To change the bias in the 18watt (or any cathode-biased amp) you need to physically change the cathode resistor.

If the amp is already built, it's easier to just select an appropriate tube brand for the resistor that's already in there (vs. taking it apart).

On the other hand, while you're building, you can adjust the resistor value as needed when you're putting it together.

--mark

[jreid]

These are original equipment in Laney amps. My LC30ii came with a quad of TADs.
they only lasted a year (I don't push my amp that hard). I found the bass to be rather muddy and on the drive channel, with the drive above 4, the bass had to be rolled right back below 4 (that's number 4 on the dial, not 4 o'clock).
I've got Harmas in the Laney now and they are a big improvement.
The TAD ECC83s sound quite good, but they are noisier than the JJs that are in the Laney now. One of the TAD ECC83s went in just over a year as well.

ymmv

John

[mischi_miyagi]

Hi,
Clyde, are you from Germany then??? Better buy somewhere else I think TAD has some nice parts you won't get anywhere else in that way (I bought my chassis there) but I think tubes should be bought e.g. at tube-town(.de), nice guys with nice prices, optimal working stuff and perfect service (and if you have special requests they can also help you, maybe you also get a look here: [url] http://www.tube-town.de/ttforum/index.php#2 [url]).
No, I'm not paid for this post
I would suggest EHs or JJs, whereas I like the EHs more in mine...think they are a little bit crunchier...
In the preamp section I have different brands, but I recommend a balanced ECC83 in PI and a selected V1 ECC83 in the V1 Position. But you can test a variety of tubes in this amp and it will always sound different...

Mike

[clyde]

Thanks for all your replies. No Mischi, I'm a Canuck by trade. I've heard
before that the TADs have a relatively short lifespan, at least in the 6L6 family. I've never tried the Harmas, I hear they are Tesla hexplates, no?
Eh's I've tended to steer away from as I feel they are inferior in tone and
reliabilty, perhaps the 84's would be worth a try. I have used the EL84M's for their robustness as I am selling my builds and reliability is paramount
for the gigging musicians that buy them. I didn't mind the tone either although I know some would disagree. It's too bad I can't wholesale the Harmas from anyone.

[JumpMarine]

I've got a pair in my JA-TMB right now and while they do sound good, my Ei's were more musical and got easier breakup. I've also had a pair of 6l6 longbottles and they were incredible and are still going strong after 6 months of heavy use.

[Goofy]

In my mind the TAD EL84s are the worst I have ever heard. Even the cheap Sovtek EL84s sound better and I don´t like Sovtek tubes. TAD has a contract with a chinese tube plant and they only label this tubes with TAD. This will make the tubes as twice as expensive as they are when sold with the original label. Also this tubes have a poor construction, so they will not last long. Keep in mind that EL84 will get very hot; up to 120 degrees celsius in a class AB circuit. You don´t have to buy the extremly expensive Telefunken or Mullard EL84s to get lucky. There are very good EL84s made by Philips, Valvo or Siemens. In guitaramps I prefer the Siemens (& Halske) over the Telefunken. This tubes all sound much better than the grap from today´s production and they last so much longer. But be shure to buy real NOS tubes (I bought a tube tester a few years ago).

[rjgtr]

I think the JJs and Ei's are the best sounding new production I've heard. The EL84EH's are ok, reliable but not great. I've used GE and Seimens NOS tubes and they are good sounding too.

I have used the Chinese Shuguang KT-66s with good success. Maybe they just haven't gotten the EL84 down yet.

[JumpMarine]

After spending some quality time with a pair TAD's in my 18 watt, they are gone, gone, gone! They simply sounded dull and lifeless. I popped my old set of Ei's back in and the chime and beautiful breakup came right back. I'm sure that there are better tubes out there, but I'm quite happy witht the Ei's....for now.