My friend Jim put a set of Mazda tubes in his RP-5 for a big improvement over stock tubes and also over current production tubes such as Gold Lion and Mullard (the Mullards were better than the Gold Lions in this case).
The rear pair of tubes have the bigger influence on the sound.
I am presently borrowing his previous preamp, a Rogue Perseus, while awaiting the return of my Calypso from Aesthetix. I have a pair of NOS RCA clear tops in the rear locations and a pair of the current production Mullards in the front. The Perseus is sounding very good. When I return it to Jim, he is going to try out the clear tops in the RP-5.
The rear pair of tubes have the bigger influence on the sound.
I am presently borrowing his previous preamp, a Rogue Perseus, while awaiting the return of my Calypso from Aesthetix. I have a pair of NOS RCA clear tops in the rear locations and a pair of the current production Mullards in the front. The Perseus is sounding very good. When I return it to Jim, he is going to try out the clear tops in the RP-5.