Have you ever tried Sylvania Gold Brand Gold Pin (3 mica) 5751's? Best sounding 12AX7 variants I've ever used. RCA clear top 5751's were right up there as well. Remember 5751's are a tone down in gain from 100 to 70, which can help or hurt, depending on the rest of the system. I've been very happy with the Sylvania 5751's in my Cary phono stage for over 20 years. I also use Sylvania Gold Pin 6189's in the 12AU7 MC gain stage and Sylvania 5814A in the buffer spot. I have alternated from the 6189's to 12AU7 Amperex long plate bugle boys but usually favor the Sylvanias in my system. Obviously, results vary from one system to another but these have been my go to's for a long time. Mullards often get suggested but I have not found them to my liking and that might just be the variants that I had or who knows what? I would not object to trying teles or siemens but just haven't had them to try and I have no reason to feel the need to anyway, just that I might. My 2c.
Should I move on from my Hagerman Trumpet MC Phono Pre?
Hi all, currently I'm delighted with my Hagerman. Yes it can be a touch noisy at high volume but that goes away once the record begins and doesn't bother me. I've got it loaded with all NOS high end tubes and it sounds fab. However I recently picked up a Koetsu Urushi Wajima cartridge and I now find the plush midrange push of the Hagerman might be too much combined with the plush midrange push of the Urushi. FYI I'm running a stock SL-1200G into Rogue tube amplification. I'm going to try some OPEN / nicely bright 12au7 tubes to see if that can offset the lack of high end and a touch too much midrange emphasis I have now, but thought I'd also enquire about what folks thought about moving on from the Hagerman? I did get one suggestion of the Herron VTPH-2A but good luck finding one... thanks all. - Rich