Cary Rocket 88 & n.e.w. P-3: Best tube combo?

You can try different power tubes - I have a Rocket 88 R version, same basic configuration as the 88 non-R. I had a quad of 6550's in there at one time. Now I'm running Penta Labs KT-88's and the sound is quite different. I recommend highly getting decent power tubes. Assume you know also that the 1692's are just for show

Do you recall if your NEW P3 tube preamp was phase inverting?

To my ears go with the P3 Taplina. I owned the P3 for awhile and borrowed a LS7. I liked the P3 much better. It was more transparent and open. I didn't like the LS 7 at all in my system. It was detailed but sounded like a blanket was over my speakers.

I was thinking about buying the new Cary p3 preamp. However I have never heard it. Should i get it or an Audio Research LS 7 preamp?

I like details, wide open sound stage, and clarity.

When I had the P-3 I used a stock 12BH7 as the 12AU7 tubes are the important ones sonically. For those I use Mullard CV4003 which are the military version of the 12AU7.

I'm not sure if you are aware but Cary offers an upgrade to the P-3 which involves, among other things, circuit changes that replace the 12AU7 tubes with 6CG7. According to Dennis Had this will take the P-3 to an entirely new level. I believe the cost was $650.