Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody


I will have a Supratek Chenin in my set up in a day or so. Since so many folks are rolling tubes around here I was hoping to garner a comprehensive list of everybodies favorite tube compliments. Be it NOS or NIB or WLATB (Whatever's layin around the basement)
Being that the "Deal of the Century" thread is a little more like a novel I figured this would be a good place to post questions and answers related to one subject of Supratek amps and pres.
On to the subject of me. I don't have immediate plans to swap tubes as I've figured that Mr. Maloney would supply us with something listenable for the break in period. But, since so many have reported such dramatic improvments I want to ask this question:
What is your favorite compliment for quietest gain and dynamics in the phono stage?
I will be using the Chenin exclusively for vinyl ( I don't have a CD player) and listen to loads of early rock and roll and Jazz bands, smaller jazz bands mostly, quartets and quintets. Some classical, the usual Beethoven and Mozart, but usually just a lot of loud garage rock.
Ok, now lets see what happens.
mc5baby

Showing 4 responses by mem916

I find it extremely hard to believe that a vintage Marconi wouldn't sound better than a new Chinese PX4! Thanks though!
The Marconi's are on the order of $600 a pair. I will let you know once I get them. Chears.
I have a Cabernet and am looking for suggestions for the PX4. I would like to replace the stock tube with some sort of NOS (or just old and good) tube. Which brands have people tried and liked?

Thanks
Wc65mustang, sorry, what does AFAIK stand for? And do you mean there is no better tube than the chinese stock tube that came in it? (surely not!) I see quite a few old PX4's on ebay.

Ecclectique, no I don't think I'll be putting a $5K+ pair of tubes in my $5k pre-amp!

Mark