Best Sounding EL84 - 7189

I read Jsman's inquiry to mean he's interested in tubes rather than amps.

The 6BQ5/7189 "sound" is my preference. I have done extensive research and have owned monobloc amps from Fisher, Heathkit, Sherwood, Eico, Magnavox, Scott and others. Having tried Amperex, Telefunken, Mullard, RCA, Sylvania, Tungsram, Matsushita, et al, I can say that the KING of the EL84/7189 heap is the GE grey oval plate manufactured in the Kentucky plant, mark 188-5. Mullard a close but certain second.

I reveal this only after stocking up on a lifetime supply at affordable prices compared to the better known brands favored by Elevick and others. Respect to them and their choices.

Anyone who dismisses the GE without trying it is doing himself no favor.

Wrayray you are correct about the inquiry, it is about tubes. Funny you should mention the GE's and that plant.
I was looking closly at my rectifiers and they are marked
188-5 of course they are GE. You seemed to have left one out of your list, I wouldn't question it; but Amperex it seems is pretty significant with respect to the others.
Any opinion on Amperex?

Jsman, I think the Amperex 6BQ5's that I've tried are right there with the Mullards. The reason I mentioned the Mullards by name as a favorite is because I just happened to be listening to to my Heathkit UA-2's with the Mullards installed when I responded above. These particular ones measure at about the minimum threshold for use and they still really sing.

Amperex made some wonderful tubes of all ilks. My favorite family of tubes. I really like their A-frame 6DJ8. It suits my ear better than the more popular Bugle Boy or even the PQ 6922 or 7308.

As a matter of fact, I'm hard pressed to name a "bad" sounding OS 6BQ5. To my ear, they all have their different charms. The GE seems to me to have a more complete presentation of balance, weight, air, extension, control, staging and tonal accuracy.

Every once in awhile, I'll drop in some RCA oval plates for their sheer speed and muscular athleticism. Like a middleweight champion. I even like the (Soviet)Russian 6Pi14Pi - a bargain offset to those who need the tougher 7189 type.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for your opinion and all your thoughts, I think I just got lucky. I found a quad of nice used Amperex EL84's
that test real strong. At the same time I came across a quad of NOS RCA 7189's, so I think I will get to hear for myself some of what you are saying.

Wrayray, I ended up with a quad of Amperex 7189 Bugle Boys,
the price was right could not go wrong. In comparison to others I find them smoother and with a more dynamic bottom.