The loop levels and volumes have to really be balanced just right with those amps. It's my favorite Recto, and I think they shine with EL34's.
I'm guessing the guy had it dialed in correctly, and maybe you didn't. No offense.
Those amps dialed in incorrectly sound like shit. Dialed in right, mean, and glorious.
I had one, loved it. But, it was too frickin loud for my apartment at the time, and low volumes, it does not do well.