My #1 pick are Telefunken smooth plates . Also Brent Jesses Tube Sound description is spot on . Also “ Missioncoonery “ is wrong . I have for rotation RCA, Mullard , Seimens CCa , Seimens silverplate, Amperex , Phillips , Telefunken ( smooth , ribbed , black coated , Tektronix) . Out of them all , the smooth plate Telefunken is the most linear , and TO ME THE MOST ENJOYABLE IN MY SYSTEM . All the tubes I’ve tried are exactly how Brent Jesses’s site describes them . Also I’ve never purchased tubes from them , but have paid comparable prices . Although I purchased 4 Telefunkens G73R’s for $500. I’ve found the the Seimens and the Amperex push the treble and upper mid out front in relation to the Telefunken, hence a sometimes too bright experience. But it varies with power tube and speaker rotation . So have fun , Mike .
Let's roll: what pre-amp tubes should I consider next?
I am looking for some guidance from experienced vacuum tube amp users. I have a Unison Research S6 (most recent model) which runs six x EL34 power tubes and two x 12AX7 pre-amp tubes.
Having gone NOS in the pre-amp section, I've had great results over the new manufacture Tung Sol 12AX7s that come stock with this integrated. The tubes I've played with are the Philips Miniwatt 12AX7s and the Siemens 12AX7s. I like what both have to offer, but there are differences. The Miniwatts being warmer and contributing to an overall more subtle listening experience whereas the Siemens are more precise, producing a sound that has attack, excitement and thrill in abundance. However, I find the latter can be a bit too much in the upper mid/lower treble region some times. Is there another new manufacture (thinking Psvane?) or NOS (Brimar, Mullard, Mazda) that would give me the best of both worlds? Good tone and timbre while maintaining a sense of involvement through speed and attack?
What are your recommendations?
funcrusha
Having gone NOS in the pre-amp section, I've had great results over the new manufacture Tung Sol 12AX7s that come stock with this integrated. The tubes I've played with are the Philips Miniwatt 12AX7s and the Siemens 12AX7s. I like what both have to offer, but there are differences. The Miniwatts being warmer and contributing to an overall more subtle listening experience whereas the Siemens are more precise, producing a sound that has attack, excitement and thrill in abundance. However, I find the latter can be a bit too much in the upper mid/lower treble region some times. Is there another new manufacture (thinking Psvane?) or NOS (Brimar, Mullard, Mazda) that would give me the best of both worlds? Good tone and timbre while maintaining a sense of involvement through speed and attack?
What are your recommendations?
funcrusha