New(ish) guy here, in need of some assitance please...

markoneswift
New Member

Posts: 2

New(ish) guy here, in need of some assitance please... Sept 16, 2021 17:48:26 GMT 12

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Post by markoneswift on Sept 16, 2021 17:48:26 GMT 12

Hey all,

Recently I converted a pair of valve amps, taken from a defunct Akai M-8 reel-to-reel deck, to use for hifi listening. At the time I bought the amps, I also received a second pair for parts. I have now decided to restore the second pair, but I have no valves for them!

In after a pair of EZ90 and a pair of EL84s - I think they all need to be the small base socket type. Would anyone be able to help me out - I'm located in Hamilton.

Cheers!

harryorgans
New Member

Posts: 7

New(ish) guy here, in need of some assitance please... Sept 16, 2021 20:11:51 GMT 12

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Post by harryorgans on Sept 16, 2021 20:11:51 GMT 12

EL84's are readily available from music stores, so that would be one option.
Not cheap though:
tonelounge.co.nz/guitar-amp-power-tube-el84-6bq5/
www.musicplanet.co.nz/sovtek-el84-valve-matched-pair.html
www.musicplanet.co.nz/electro-harmonix-el84-valve-matched-pair.html - I have these in a guitar amp, they have been excellent.

Steve
Society Members

vintageradio.co.nz

Posts: 732

New(ish) guy here, in need of some assitance please... Sept 19, 2021 11:16:32 GMT 12

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Post by Steve on Sept 19, 2021 11:16:32 GMT 12

The EZ90 rectifier is a 6X4, used in many radios since the mid-50's so they are very easy to come across. EL84's - not quite as common, but not really hard to get or expensive unless you're an audiophile. 1960's model Philips / Fleetwood sets used them.

If you're looking for some magic-shaped-getter specific-shade-of-blurple-plate special-order made-in-a-certain-batch mythical unicorn valves then you're probably going to pay a fortune - but thanks to the placebo effect they will sound fabulous - otherwise almost any valve of the correct type that measures well will do.

If you want to see some of the NZ models with EL84's try this search: www.google.com/search?q=site%3Awww.vintageradio.co.nz+%22el84%22

I'd recommend a message to Gary Walker (twenty_b on Trade Me) as he likely has them in stock and has reasonable prices - he's a great guy to deal with as well.

Cheers, Steve

There are no personal problems that can't be solved with the liberal application of high explosives