Best Sounding EL84 - 7189

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.

Great choice. By the way, who did your restoration work?

Craig At NOS Valves, great job amp is like new, pumped up the bass and a few other goodies. Craig is very dependable and stands behind his work.

Best sounding 7189 in my pilot 232 is by far RCA (1960/1961)
I own perfectly matched quads of Sylvania 7189 and Holland 1959 "D" getter 7189 among others of lesser note. Along with the RCA 7189, I am using Mullard fat base as GZ34, Tungsol 5751 as 12ax7 and suprisingly, a 1954 Holland pinched waist e80cc as splitter...I find the e80cc
extends both top and bottom and sharpens imaging over any other 12au7 variant when used as splitter (big difference)and increases dynamics.

My system is all tube and inserting a few e80cc tubes in stratregic locations provides tube warmth with solid state extension and tightness.