my search for a tube amp

Nick B · March 27, 2026, 11:29:58 PM

Just an update on that Erhard Elvis Mk II amp. I have concluded that a good tube amp can be quite an addicting sound. Am quite happy with it.

I would be curious how the max modded Willsenton R8 and Miller Dynaco ST 70 tube amps would compare. But don't think I want to buy more amps and have to sell... at least for a while 🎶

Nick B · June 28, 2026, 09:38:08 PM

I have lived with the Erhard for a while now and it's a great amp. I have used the Raytheon, Sylvania and RCA nos versions of the 6NS7. It's a close call between the Sylvania VT 231 and RCA 6NS7GTB and I slightly prefer the RCA. I am surprised by the detail retrieval, layering and improved texture on voices and instruments. If Evan reads this, I will bet him a (cheap) NY steak that he'd like the Erhard better than his Quicksilver amps...

Jack also has and likes the Erhard Elvis Mk II as well.

Jack · June 28, 2026, 10:40:40 PM

He might even be able to sell the Quikies for enough to cover the cost of the Erhard.

Nick B · June 28, 2026, 11:04:50 PM

Quote from: Jack on June 28, 2026, 10:40:40 PMHe might even be able to sell the Quikies for enough to cover the cost of the Erhard.

Yes, indeed and even enough to buy me that steak dinner 🤤

Jack · June 28, 2026, 11:43:25 PM

I took my Elvis out of the system a couple of days ago and replaced it with the 25s. While the 25s are really good amps that do nothing wrong there is still something missing in the presentation that the Elvis delivers. I suspect it is the emotional element to the music that you get from a good tube amp and my new Verity's seem to love tubes.

Nick B · June 29, 2026, 05:16:34 PM

The Elvis does offer more of an emotional connection and also presents a bit more of a realistic soundstage. There are some really excellent products out there for very reasonable prices.

Jack · June 29, 2026, 06:43:12 PM

Swapped the legendary Music Reference RM-10 into the system this morning in place of the 25s and that tube sound is back. Though the EL-84 sound is a bit different than the KT-88 sound of the Elvis it still has that extra tube "body" to the sound plus a bonus of running a whole lot cooler than the Elvis as Summer kicks in. Maybe at some point I'll go get the Granite Audio 861 monos out of the storage facility and get them rebiased. They are capable of running EL-34/KT-77 and KT-88/6550 in either triode or ultralinear mode. I think the last time I used them in Florida was with EL-34's so I may just stick with those rather than a complete rebias for the higher power tubes.

Nick B · June 29, 2026, 09:23:24 PM

Will be sticking with the Erhard for some time. My heat pump doesn't make much noise, so listening is unaffected. You would not be able to bias the Granite monos or you just prefer to have someone do it? I remember the 1st time I attempted to bias my VAC 90 monos. One of the tubes started smoking, but it didn't suffer any damage. It wasn't a problem after that, but I do appreciate the Erhard being auto bias.

The music with the new fiber optic line is very good. I have no idea if the previous owner ever used it or if any of the components require much break in.

Jack · June 29, 2026, 09:53:53 PM

No, I've biased the Granite's multiple times over the years but it's just a pain in the ass multi-step process on each amp. Also some tube amps bias tends to drift over time while some like the RM-10 never do. If I remember correctly the last time I used the amps the Gold Lion KT-77s were in it so I will just put them back in and only have to do a touch on the bias. Will only get about 35-40 watts with them but that is a plenty with the Arindal's as the RM-10 did a fine job tonight with just 30wpc.

With your new fiber setup the only new piece should be the ONT(fiber modem) so no real break-in should be necessary. If you think it needs it just put the Red on a radio station and let it play. My iPower X should be here later today so I will see if I actually hear any difference from the stock PS on the Mesh unit.

Nick B · June 29, 2026, 11:02:56 PM

Ok, so just a big pita to rebias sometimes. I am curious how the Granite will differ from the Erhard.

I mentioned possible break in as the system seems to keep improving. Now I am hearing some music that I haven't heard in months. My vague recollection is that it didn't sound as good with the Starkrimson. But I have added some cables and noise filtering products, so it's hard to say. The resolution is excellent and I am hearing things Ive not heard before. As the Starkrimson is nicely boxed in the garage on a shelf a bit difficult to access, it will remain there for now.

Jack · June 29, 2026, 11:40:05 PM

Yep, just a PITA. Not sure how different they will sound except with the Granite's you will have twice the transformer horsepower.

It sounds like with the current amp/preamp combo you have hit the perfect balance of tubes and SS that works with the Reynaud's. So as long as the heat doesn't become and issue later in the Summer it sounds like your system is good for a while.

ejk · Reply #41 - Re: my search for a tube amp

Quote from: Nick B on June 28, 2026, 09:38:08 PMI have lived with the Erhard for a while now and it's a great amp. I have used the Raytheon, Sylvania and RCA nos versions of the 6NS7. It's a close call between the Sylvania VT 231 and RCA 6NS7GTB and I slightly prefer the RCA. I am surprised by the detail retrieval, layering and improved texture on voices and instruments. If Evan reads this, I will bet him a (cheap) NY steak that he'd like the Erhard better than his Quicksilver amps...

Jack also has and likes the Erhard Elvis Mk II as well.

I'm reading but not biting yet. This is my go to place

https://www.deesteakhouse.com/

Saw this earlier but not for me

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650336294-erhard-audio-aretha-tube-preamplifier-ray-single-ended-tube-amplifier-black-finish-original-packagin/

ejk · Reply #42 - Re: my search for a tube amp

Just got back from Barbados last night and my 2 new bass traps from GIK were waiting for me. I ordered them with the 50 hz range limiters and results are positive. I was dealing with some overload in the lower regions on some music like Patricia Barber and this cleans ups the vocals and piano very well.

ejk · Reply #43 - Re: my search for a tube amp

Quote from: Jack on June 28, 2026, 11:43:25 PMI took my Elvis out of the system a couple of days ago and replaced it with the 25s. While the 25s are really good amps that do nothing wrong there is still something missing in the presentation that the Elvis delivers. I suspect it is the emotional element to the music that you get from a good tube amp and my new Verity's seem to love tubes.

Did you talk with Aric about his amps before going with the Erhard? He doesn't seem to have anything with the same power output.

Jack · Reply #44 - Re: my search for a tube amp

I bought the Erhard based on Nick's experience with it and sound wise it hasn't dissapointed. I do have one of Aric's Transcend amps on order but I don't expect to see it until around the first of the year. And yes while a good deal that Erhard combo is pretty low powered for most applications.