Preferred Series 7189 Premium EL84 Power Vacuum Tube (Matched)
Need matched power tubes? Don't worry! Price includes matching in any quantity you need for no extra charge. Need a matched pair? Just order "2" tubes. For a matched quad order "4" tubes. Matched sextets and octets are available as well.Our Preferred Series 7189 vacuum tube is a versatile high quality option for EL84, 6BQ5, and 7189 power tube circuits because of its clean headroom, power, dynamics and harmonic content. Please see John Templeton's review of this tube. This 7189 tube is rated for higher power and plate voltage plus longer life making it a premium upgrade for amps with tough operating conditions. The solid construction and heavy glass also minimize microphonics. For the hifi crowd, this tube is the perfect choice for Scott, Eico and Fisher amps. Our Preferred Series 7189 starts life as a NOS (New Old Stock) Soviet Union era 6P14P-EV as translated from Cyrillic. It is a military build that meets or exceeds the 7189 specifications
6P14P = 6BQ5, EL84 and 7189 tubes.
E = Extended or long life (>5,000 hours)
V = Mechanically ruggedized for low microphonics and reliability
We have been selling this particular tube for years but have found the production from the 1980’s or earlier to sound and work the best. We sought out and purchased as much NOS as we can find from this time period. They are then burned in, tested and matched on our digital high voltage equipment to make sure the tubes selected for you will provide outstanding tone and performance. The Preferred Series 7189 tubes carry a 6 month extended warranty.
Other Preferred Series tubes
EL84 Tube TypesAdditional Information and Downloads
Reviews:
EL84 Tube Review
Tube Matching Information:
Power Tube Matching FAQ
Perfect Pair System
Downloads:
Preferred Series 7189 Datasheet (PDF)
Download Adobe Acrobat PDF reader
Warranty Information and Return Policy
Warranty Period: 6 monthsPreferred Series tubes have a 6 month warranty from date of purchase. (Any exceptions will be noted on that tube's Warranty tab)
If you receive a tube that does not perform to the manufacturer's specifications, please do the following:
- contact us to get a return authorization
- return it via regular mail within 180 days from when we shipped it, and we will provide an exchange or refund of the full purchase price of the tube.
Returns not related to warranty or defect will be considered at our discretion, and are subject to a 15% restocking fee.
We can not accept returns that don't have an authorization, are past 6 months, or are returned improperly.
These guidelines may be updated without notice.
Ratings & Reviews
42 reviews
Preferred Series 7189 |Clear and bright
by Matthew -
Replaced old JJ el84 tubes circa 2005. These PS-7189 tubes are used in my Vox AC30tbx (last of the English made amps). Noticeably clearer, slightly brighter sound. Had more punch and touch dynamic feel than the JJ. Put a smile on my face and made me want to play more :)
Preferred Series 7189 | Hard, stiff, strident, piercing
by RL
I used these in a Peavey Classic 20 combo guitar amp. I'm also using NOS RCA 12ax7 long grey plates. I play a USA strat with hw '60s RI pickups.
The PS-7189s sounded okay at low volumes, but when pushed they quickly became hard, stiff, strident and piercing.
Sovtek EL84s sound much better. NOS EL84s sound incredible, although I worry about their life span running so hot.
Preferred Series 7189 | Tone, Reliability…Meh
by Jason
First pair were faulty and blew the rectifier and fuse. Second pair has some hours on them, but nowhere near 5000 hours. One’s already microphonic. Swapped them out for a set of JJ’s I had lying around (which I’m not a big fan of) and the amp actually sounds better. Go figure. Not as hard and stiff. Gave 1 star because these PS-7189 have not held up their end of the bargain and cost extra dough on amp repair and rectifier replacement. Plus, TAD, JJ, Mullard and Tungsrams all sound better. To my ears anyway. Amp is a TopHat Club Royale.
Preferred Series 7189 | These blend the best of all the good parts of 6BQ5/EL84s and I just love them. I discovered these in 2007 & never looked back.
by Satchmoeddie -
I discovered these around 2007. NOS USA 6BQ5s seemed rather dirty sounding, compared to a Mullard or a Philips EL84. Seimens made a delightful EL84. Telefunken invented these things and the Telefunken is the cleanest most clinical EL84 ever made. The Soviets somehow blended enough of everything into their 6Pi14EV to make a tube that I feel delivers a little bit of everything from American 6BQ5s to the holy grail Telefunken and blended in the best parts of every one of them. I prefer these PS-7189 in a guitar amp over Telefunkens too.
Preferred Series 7189 | Why are you reading this? Just buy them!
by Andrew -
As an AC30 owner, I'm always on the hunt for a robust EL84 type tube. I've tried the new production offerings from New Sensor (EHX, Mullard, Tung Sol, etc.), JJ and even a few from Psvane. They never lasted long and the tone was inconsistent.
Enter the Preferred Series 7189. As many have already noted, this is an up-rated EL84 designed for higher plate voltages and power handling as well as being made to withstand a nuclear blast. Pretty sure I could take one and subject it to a 2 meter drop and still be able to use it without worry (though this isn't recommended by the manufacturer).
As for the sound, you get tight low end (I actually found I had to dial back the bass on my 30), strong mids and clear, well defined highs. You also get more clean headroom so you get to push your amp a bit harder before breakup.
All and all, probably my 3rd favourite EL84 type behind the 6P14P-ER and the 7320. A solid performer when you need it.