I have bought a VAc CLA-1 preamp

They should be the same sonically, the difference being that the CPA1 is a full function preamp (with phono stage), whereas the CLA1 is a line stage only.

Cheers,
John

HELLO AGAIN . I SEE A VAC-CPA1 FOR SALE ( YEAR 2000). ANYONE KNOWS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE (SOUND) BETWEEN THE VAC CLA1 AND THE VAC CPA1? LOKOK VERY SIMILAR..
THANKS
LAFOLIA

Thanks to all. Great to have so much helpful attention. I bought Mazda, Brimar , mullards, tesla .. to find out about what does what...
lafolia

My original reco was just to help you identify the tubes that you have. I see that everyone else is chiming in with their personal favorite NOS tubes. I have heard them all, Siemens, Telefunkens, Amperex, Mullard, etc. To be honest, they all have their strengths and weakness'. All are much better sounding than current stock Russian/Chinese tubes.

I would say that the Mullard's are the warmest, if that's what you seek. The Telefunken's are also warm, but with a tad more air than the Mullard's. The Amperex and Siemen's offer even more extension in the high's, but are not quite as warm (sweet). Currently I am using Telefunken's in my VAC line stage (and phono stage) and I am quite happy with the sound.

Cheers,
John

PS: according to the VAC manual the four tubes are (2) 12AX7's and (2) 12AU7's.

Check :Quest for Sound ads or a google search will also put you on to the Mazdas.

I use Mazda 12AU7 tubes from the 60's.Great tube,dynamics galore.
Costly though.I paid $180 for a matched pair.

Siemems/Amperex 7308-6dj8
Shuguang triple-mica 12ax7 select-Doug's tubes
Mazda/Radio Technique French military triple-mica 12au7
The first pair are expensive.The "select" are about $13/ea and the Mazda tube will run about $60/pr.
Of course there are always the Golden Dragon/VAC tubes.These come "gold-pin "and "standard".The GPs are more linear/more detailed and Stds are warmer.Maybe GPs in the phono and Stds else-where.

Perhaps this manual may help, it is for CPA-1/CLA-1.
If not, try to contact VAC. Kevin Hayes is always very helpful.

Cheers,
John