Re: 2 Channel el84 amps?
I purchased a 2x10'' Hot Cat 30 combo a while back (it came in this really cool blue sparkle tolex), but it just didn't sound that good to my ears. The cleans were too mid scooped (making any sort of decent volume or cut in a band context impossible) and the overdrive was gritty and raw sounding (I liken it to a Peavey Classic 30 more than a Marshall or Mesa). The overdrive channel also was much louder than the clean channel and it takes a lot of volume to open the sound up (that overdrive channel was LOUD, too bad the cleans weren't as well).
2 amps I use religiously are 2 channel EL-84 equipped. I use a Fargen Epic 30 DC (getting repaired and upgraded as we speak) and a Crate V32 Palomino. Both offer some very nice chimey cleans and classic Marshall overdrive tones. The Fargen is getting the new VOS circuit treatment, so it should sound like the best of Marshall mixed with the best of Dumble (which should be incredible for the lead work I do in my band).
EL-84s aren't for everybody. They won't have a huge lowend or tons of clean headroom, but I think they're very versatile and I like getting that power tube saturation. I find most good EL-84 amps can sing at very reasonable volumes.