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Still Audio EL84 Integrated Amplifier - my initial impressions

Hi everyone,

I've had the new Still Audio EL84 Integrated Amplifier ($2895USD + shipping) for about a week, and I just thought I'd share my initial impressions.  I learned about the amp from the review in Postive Feedback.  After reading through Still Audio's website I contacted Mark Still.  He was very quick to respond, even though it was a day or two after Christmas.  From that initial email exchange, I've found him to be very attentive and helpful.  

The integrated amp puts out 10wpc using a total of 4 EL84 output tubes.  The unit is tube rectified (EZ34/5AR4) and has two 12AU7s in the input stage.  Mark calls this a "bookshelf amplifier," and it most certainly would fit on a bookshelf due to its dimensions - about 18" in width but only 6.5" in depth.  The front panel has a volume knob and an input selector, and the back panel has the IEC and fuse holder, three RCA inputs, and speaker taps for 4ohm, 8ohm, and 16ohm speakers.  There is a small remote control for the volume.  

The entire unit is very solid and looks like a more expensive component.  The RCA input jacks are excellent the best I've come across.  I find the speaker connectors very easy to tighten by hand.  They seem to stay put as you tighten them.  There is no release of tension when you take your hand off the connector.  The remote works well in providing small volume adjustments.  There is a nice touch that a small red or green light on the amp indicates whether the volume is increasing (red) or decreasing (green) when using the remote.  When adjusting the volume slightly between songs or during a quiet passage, it's very convenient to know whether the amp has gotten the signal from the remote.  

I am still looking for speakers to go with this amp.  As a temporary solution I'm using a pair of Klipsch RP-106Ms, and the sound is very pleasing - smooth and easy to listen to with good dynamics and plenty of volume in my smaller room (13x16ft.).  I never need to raise the volume knob past halfway (even though there is a lot more clean volume to be had beyond that point).  

I will post a more comprehensive review once I upgrade my speakers and give the amp some time to break in.  For now, though, I'm extremely pleased with it! 

Happy New Year!
Scott

p.s.  My system is analog only - Acoustic Signature Wow XL turntable and Avid Pellar phono stage.
smrex13

Showing 3 responses by smrex13

smrex13 OP
645 posts
 
I am still enjoying the Still amp immensely.  It has a very transparent sound, and the noise floor is non-existent.  I usually have a lot of noise in my system due to living in an older apartment complex - poor quality wiring and shared power with college kids who have wireless routers, computers, video games, etc.  The fact that this amp is almost silent through my speakers with the volume pot all the way open is remarkable.  

I really have nothing critical to say about the amp.  It's just a fantastic unit in every way.  My conundrum now is that the Contrast Audio speakers have settled in quite well, but the 10wpc of the Still Audio amp is not quite enough.  I can play music with peaks of about 75 db, and everything sounds rich and beautiful.  Beyond that, though, the sound starts to thin out quite a bit.  The bass is also somewhat limited due to the speaker-amp pairing.  I swapped in a 22wpc Audioengine desktop amp, and the bass depth and impact was significantly better.   The Audioengine amp certainly doesn't have the refinement or the transparency of the Still EL84, but the qualities I like about the speakers are still there.

So, I'm torn between shopping for very efficient speakers or a more powerful tube amp.  I believe that I underestimated how efficient speakers need to work well with a 10 watt amp.  And since I can't have large floor standing speakers, I'm even more limited by the number of speakers available to me.  

Will keep you posted on my journey, but I will say that the Still EL84 is a ridiculously good value, and a long-term solution for anyone with the appropriate speakers.  And Mark Still mentioned that he's working on a tube phono stage - I have to imagine the combo would be an endgame system for most people.

All the best, Scott
smrex13 OP
645 posts
 
@ghasley Thanks for the recommendations on tubes.  I guess my dilemma is that I very much like the Contrast Audio speakers and the Still EL84.  Trying the solid state amp showed me that the speakers have more than enough bass for my room.  

So, I'm torn between finding an amp to drive the speakers and finding speakers that will work well with the amp.   

I know that speakers can significantly change the sound of my system.  The experiment with the ss amp confirmed that a change in amplification doesn't alter the basic sonic character of the system that I like so much.

Ideally, I would try both combinations - a more efficient speaker with the Still amp, and a more powerful amp with the Contrast Audio speakers.

Keep y'all posted,Scott




smrex13 OP
645 posts
 
@freediver Good timing - I have a pair of the Carbon 7SE mk.2 that I'm demoing right now.  The amp drives them fine, but my initial impressions is that the Carbons are extremely smooth, but compared to the Contrast Audio there is a lot of detail lost.  They aren't broken in yet, so I'm going to give them some time.  And I'm sure that my ears need to adjust to a new sound as well.  The Carbon 7s are quite enjoyable speakers, and the bass is very impressive.  Will keep y'all posted....
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