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Which tubes are the best?

Hi folks, I just got a Muzishare X7 integrated amp. It is beautifully made and sounds like it has a lot of promise. Even though I'm just breaking it in, I am thinking about tube changes. Why? It's just what I do. 
I'd like your opinion on the best replacement tubes, meaning smoothest, most "tubby" and mellow tubes. 
I won't be chasing NOS tubes. I'd like your experience with Gelenlex Gold Lion, TungSol, Mullard, Telefunken, or?,  etc. of current manufacture. The amp uses KT88, 12ax7, 12au7 and CR34 rectifier. 
Any thoughts about KT88 vs 6550 would be appreciated. I used to prefer 6550 way back when. 
Any information would be appreciated. Yes, I could go through all the old posts but I do have vision issues after four operations and that's why I'm asking straight out. 
Thanks in Advance. 
Back in the day, I used to do some serious tube rolling. The absolute mellowest, most laid back and detail rich tubes I ever found were some Mullards advertised in the back of Audio magazine. They had Magnus Organ printed on them. They were amazing. Unequalled. Ten years ago, I was cleaning out stuff and took a box of my small tubes to a local dealer. Some guy gave me $350 for them. Wish I still had them heh. 

fredcdobbs

Showing 2 responses by facten

facten
2,939 posts
 
With my Ayon Spirit 2 I prefer the sound Gold Lions or Psvane KT88s to either the clear or blue bottle JJs , but you need to try tubes for yourself to see what sound flavor you like.That amp takes 4 12Au7s , I use two NOS RCA 12Au7s blackplates, and 2 RFT ECC82s.

I have 2 other integrated amps that use 12X7s, in my Line Magnetic I use NOS Tungsol 5751s to reduce the gain a little; in my Finale Audio I use NOS GE 12ax7s

To my ears changing out the respective JJ , Electronic Harmonix or Chinese signal tubes that came with each amp took the sound to another level; worth the expense
facten
2,939 posts
 
There's nothing that prevents implementing tweaks and and still getting sq benefits from tube rolling.
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