RESERVE MENU
Welcome — we’ve developed the “Reserve Menu” page as a space to feature our top-tier models to our most discerning clientele.
It is a place for expert users and experienced tube-o-philes, who know exactly what they want, including circuit configuration and parts they will be listening to.
… to use an analogy from the world of cars — those who feel at ease on this part of our site are like the people who buy a 911 Cup Series Race Car — they know exactly how to use it, and have the resources to do so in every new environment (track / weather).
As one of the few remaining authentic tube specialist alive today, we want to pass on the passion and tradition of tube sound that we make to new generations — here you’ll find those details and niche geeky details that are meaningful to true connoisseur - for our new-to-tubes customers, there is the rest of the site !
And starting of 2023 - we will be placing our interesting builds here for direct purchase. We often come by some exotic / unique parts and transformers that we can definitely cook up something with it. It still has our warranty and same level of top notch refinement. Often these builds are so high in cost - it make no reasons to be part of a normal dealer-line / MSRP pricing. For example, lately we build a few pairs of special amps for our loyal customers - only the pair of output transformers can be as high as $3-5K USD already. And some are so valuable because there is no more new productions. So keep coming back to this page =)
And for those who wants our previous models, such as the EL84TT Class A Integrates or the 6V6 Push Pull Triode Class A Integrates - if you have 2-3 orders, we can make a comeback. They are still the best or nothing in their category on the market. Just at this moment these tubes might not be as popular as it use to be, so it doesn’t make sense in the normal line up to confuse people. Now, these tubes such as EL84/6V6 are so expensive to make and build, it’s a no brainer when SET cost the same to make, contradictory these tubes were born to have a cheapo version to the triodes. This is how confusing the current HIFI market is.
Model : EL84 SET-FFX
2020+ Integrated Amplifier
We mastered one little EL84 in SE mode almost 40 years ago. Have we stop making it due to high cost? No - we still make it for our EL84 fanatics, in modern high end standards (most tube circuits out there are from the old days with narrow bandwidth, and not very refined - it’s not a coincident some amps never had highs , or the noise floor is higher than usual , because its just another copy from the past). Each EL84 SET-FFX is one of a kind, made to your order. And here is the “TRIODE LAB” no hold barrette version of this tube in SE configurations - you can’t find the same voice and character else where. These exotic Hashimoto (Sansui) Transformers from Tokyo are the finest type HIFI transformers and are expensive. There is not another manufacture can afford to do this , we simply want the best or nothing! Because even we have the ultimate and finest circuit designs , without the finest transformers will not unleash its full potential. And these legendary Hashimoto transformers are proven on Sansui amps that be lasting forever.
Quick facts:
HASHIMOTO Japan Output Transformers Specific for EL84 / 6BQ5 type tubes
HASHIMOTO Japan Power Transformer
HAMMONDS Canada Choke Transformer (Can be upgrade to HASHIMOTO chokes)
CMC Gold Binding Posts 0-8 Ohms (4/16 Ohms Extra) or equivalent
FURUTECH Japan Gold AC Inlet
FINALE Canada “Pink-Lingu” Rose-Gold Plated RCA Jacks or equivalent
Alps Blue Volume Pot
MUNDORF GERMANY Evo Oil Coupling Caps
QQQ Japan Rectifier Tube Socket
Output Power : 1.5 Watts in Triode Mode or Pentode mode over 6W (default)
Damping Factor : 12-14 (Most average 2A3/300B SET amps on the market are 6-8. And most EL84 SE amps out there are 2-5 only , that’s why there is no involvement / emotion , weight , highs and lows , definitions , power and performance …etc. Its not a co-incident! most are made to light up only due to the cost). Circuit , Transformers , Design Quality , Feedbacks , Drive mode (Triode / Pentode / UL…etc) are all the direct reasons.
Operation : Class A Autobias
Size : 17 in x 10 in x 3 in
Special Note : Other than our typical FFX treatments , this might be the only SE-EL84 amp on the market uses regulated power supply to feed the amp. And in the past , our record measurement in such configuration WITHOUT regulated power supply is quiet enough at 100 db - which reads quieter than many solid state amps. Now, it will only be better , quieter , and the tubes and sound are always at its optimal working point - the tubes will last longer and more evenly too, as they see same voltages. No body will do that far and spend that much time / money and effort for such simple-amp design , but we will!
Finish - Unfortunately there is no choice in colours now due to the rapid raising cost - ask what colours we have in stock (and there will be no surcharge), it could be bare PCB-Black too which is cool. If you want to pick a colour you like from our 9 factory colours or any powdercoat, it will be a $300 option from 2021. That is actually what we paid to have it professionally done (there is a minimum charge either the professional paint company do, rather one piece of object or alot of 10 items), especially for you.
$2,999 USD - Making it our most affordable tube amp that wears the Triode Lab name!
UPDATE: 2022 Fall - Due to the highest inflation in over the last 30+ Years in Canada. Price subject to change without notice. As of today - $2500 barely covers our labour and operation on each amp built unfortunately. Despite we don’t want to - major price increase is required - because we will not use subpar parts and transformers.
Note 1 : Lead time 3-4 weeks roughly. Each opening / holes are done by our hands from a blank sheet of aluminum - 2 days of work alone. It then send to the paint shop.
Note 2 : No shipping or tubes included!
“ The amp continues to improve every day. For lack of a better term, the sound gets a little bit juicier every day. I am using a NOS Amperex Holland bugle boy 5AR4 rectifier. I am still using the amp primarily with the Coherent speakers. I'm thrilled with the way that combo sounds, it just seems like a perfect match. Also thrilled that I was able to find a tube amp with small form factor, a low tube count, doesn't require really expensive tubes and sounds better than any tube amp I've had in my home! " - Matt Schmidt , Iowa USA
“Hi Frank, Thanks for your email, I’ve only just received the amp and started to listen to it, holy shit man..!!!! Everyone says low noise floor but I wasn’t expecting this good..!! It’s currently driving my 25.21 PMC’s, lol 86.5db and yeah it could definitely do a better job with higher sensitivity speakers but it certainly is doing a great job with the PMC’s. Frank, this is the first amp I’ve loved straight out of the box.! It’s tone is sooooo addictive..!!
Cheers mate, I’ve got a couple of other questions but it’s music time…!!” - Robert Benson, Australia
CLICK HERE to read reviews and our records in making the finest Single Ended EL84 / 6BQ5 Amps!
http://www.finaleaudio.com/f138
EL84SET-FFX SIGNATURE $3,500
Upgrade to Hashimoto Japan Choke Transformer
Upgrade to Mundorf Germany Silver in Oil Coupling Caps
Upgrade to and your choice of Gold or Rhodium IEC AC INLET (Furutech Japan)
Upgrade to Cardas USA Binding Posts - your choice of Copper , Gold or Rhodium
Optional running 7189a/EL84M only, with even higher power
Model: EL84M - FFX
The new EL84 flagship amplifiers, to celebrate our 10th year debut the original EL84TT!
Debut 2019
Available to configure in deep Class A Push Pull Triode 12W, or Class A Push Pull Ultra Linear 26W
*Power figures are BEFORE distortion happens, and the nominal/max power numbers are higher. Conservative rated.
Standard Part List : HASHIMOTO (Sansui) 40W Core Output Transformers for TRIODE Mode / HASHIMOTO (Sansui) 60W Flagship Grade Output Transformers for ULTRA LINEAR Mode. HASHIMOTO (Sansui) Power Transformer (Oversized) , Triode Lab M6 Choke Transformer (Made in Canada), Mudnorf Germany Silver in Oil Coupling Caps, RCA Input : CMC Usa or Finale Pink-Lingu, Speaker Binding Post choices : CMC Gold (Insulated) or Cardas , Furutech IEC AC Inlets …etc.
Perhaps these are the finest EL84 type amplifiers ever made on earth. Thanks to our intelligent , persevering and enthusiastic R&D team and the finest product of Hashimoto Transformers. This is the best from both of our companies , thru our decades of experience and excellence.
das beste oder nichts / いちばん / the best! / le meilleur ou rien / الأفضل / 최고 / 最好的 / высшая степень
MSRP : $12,000 USD / Pair
Made to order, haute couture of amps.
45 Mini /2A3 Mini
So here is the small or mini version to our reference EVO Integrated Amp. The Mini originally is constructed with the very powerful and quiet 12AX7, to yield a single stage pre-amp. We'd considered using both 5687 or 6H30 tubes, but both will require a 2-stage design (plus the availability of tubes is not as good as that of the 12AX7s), which wouldn't sound as direct nor realistic. Those who listen to the these 45/2A3 Triode tubes with little output power isn't worried about gain nor drive anyway, so to tube connoisseurs, the quality and refinement are far important.
Starting after 2022 - only 6922 will be used, which yield even better euphonic and transparency character, and gain. We also updated the entire circuit, which in tune, closer to the sound and spec of the big brother EVO. It’s not a easy task with just one preamp (6922) tube driving the 45/2A3. Look how busy and packed the front end is and you will know. We also upgraded the loading resistors to Ohmite (Japan) and using Rubycon (Japan) Premium Resistors/ECAPS *, as well the premium 45/2A3 tube socket with tighter fitment (so people won’t insert their NOS 45/2A3 tubes wrong pins anymore after a drink or two, or in low light). For the power supply - we also use multiple-ECAPs arrangement for superior noise filtering, same as from our latest 45/2A3S and 45/2A3M.
Subject to change without notice - recently the world supply of electronic parts is very inconsistent.
The sample built is a 45 with an exceptional 2W before distortion, in 2A3 application, we can easily get a solid 3.5W-5W before distortion. And no, you cannot run the two tubes the same time, we make the finest 2A3 amp or we make the best 45 amp only, they use totally different values and transformers (if you put a 45 on a 2A3 Mini - it will blew because the amp is making more power. But on the 45 Mini - 2A3 actually sounds pretty good, although not nearly as good as the 45, which the amp is spec’d for).
We do not make a half-quality circuit to run two tubes loosely together for convenience (then nothing best is about that amp - because now it’s not optimized for either tube). The two tubes, which is totally different and required different optimization to maximize each tube's potential. (For example - out of many things, we run the 45 with 5K output transformer and 2A3 in 2.5-3.5K, it is totally different transformers! never-mind there are many other adjustments thru out the rest of the circuitry to make it finest AND reliable/durable to be a selling product they are made to last).
45 Mini Quick Spec : (Same as 2A3 Mini with except more power)
Class A Auto-Bias
2.5W Max (Measured with well used pair of RCA 45) / 2W Before Distortion
Input Sensitivity 350 mv @ 2W / Ch
Rectifier Tube Choices : 5U4 / 5T4 / 5V4 / 5Z4 / 5Y3 / 274B (Size is limited - so large bottle or balloon type tubes might not fit)
Preamp Tubes : 6922 / 6DJ8 Pair (6AQ8/6DT8 can be sub too with higher gain)
Standard Parts :
Hammonds Canada Power and Choke Transformers
HASHIMOTO (Sansui) Classic 20W Output Transformers
Finale Pink-Lingu RCA Input (Finished in Rose Gold plating)
Triode Lab Silver (Matte) / Black Knobs (Optional Audio Note UK Knobs)
Mundorf Germany Silver in Oil Coupling Caps
Alps Blue Japan Blue Velvet Volume Pot
Furutech Gold IEC AC Inlet
CMC Gold Binding Posts - 0-4-8 Ohms for 2A3 or 0-8-16 Ohms for 45. (Optional Furutech / Cardas Speaker Binding Posts or Audio Note Ongaku Posts)
No shipping / No tubes / No tube cage / Made to order / Plus any upgrades extra
Finish : Any Finale / Triode Lab Official Colours. Car Paint Extra.
MSRP : $5,500 USD