Tube Rolling Advice for the Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme?

@jsqt 

I recently installed the Psvane ART series tubes and they seem to make music even better than the previous Psvane series. But the point is, this preamp is amazing and tube rolling adds more fun.

@hifiman5 and @milpai thanks for the updates! I'm glad to see this thread continue, as I think there are a lot of Rhythms and Rhumbas out there but they don't get talked about much in the forums. I've done a 12AU7 inventory recently given the events in Eastern Europe and I have 4 Mazda Cifte's, 2 Genalex, 2 Russian Mullards, and 4 Brimar CV004s, so I should be in pretty good shape with the tubes I have now to weather any shortages. This weekend I'm experimenting with swapping the Brimar CV4003's back into the Rhythm and this time without O-rings. @hifiman5 were you ever curious about Bob's Xphono phono pre? I have just gotten back into vinyl since January and I have a Parasound JC3+ on order to complement my current SL-1200MK2 and my future Pure Fidelity Harmony. The Luxman and Xphono both looked really good but a little over my budget for where I'm at with vinyl these days. However since Oreas were mentioned somewhere in this thread, here's something I found - I am using an extra glass panel from my Naim Fraim to support the SL-1200Mk2, and I experimented with supporting it by either 3 Stillpoint Ultra SS vs 3 Isoacoustic Orea Indigos. The Oreas definitely seemed more natural and relaxed than the Stillpoints. Stillpoints seemed to tighten up the bass to a fault - I enjoy a bit of that analog fat bottom end (think a Fender P Bass and Ampeg cabinet) and the Oreas seemed to do a better job of tightening up the space between the notes while maintaining the natural presentation and flow of the music. 

@jsqt Interesting that you mentioned not using the damping rings when you install the Brimars. I just put a new matched pair of Gold Lions in my pre last night as the tubes had been in circuit for over two years. After having read others experience with and without dampers, I installed the new tubes without the dampers. I’m looking forward to listening this weekend. I mentioned the Oreas in my previous post and agree entirely with your assessment of their impact on the system’s sound. As far as phono preamps go, I have no doubt that the Backert is great but I love what my Luxman has done for the sound of vinyl in my system. The vinyl I have been receiving is really flat and quiet. Amazingly so.  I have so many silver and gold discs as well as a vinyl collection dating back to the 1970s that I plan to stay with hard media rather than adding download capabilities. 

@jsqt ,

Since you have such a nice inventory of the 12AU7s, I would like your thoughts IF you get a chance to listen to the Psvane's new ART series. They have bowled me over. The work "mesmerizing" comes to my mind.

As this thread is about tube makes and models that do especially well in Backert preamps, I'm going to reiterate my recommendation of the--admittedly rare and costly--Amperex 7316.  This is what Brent Jessee has to say about them.

Simply an amazing tube. Amazing both because it sounds so incredibly good, and amazing how rare it is today. The 7316 was made by Amperex in Holland, I have never seen this in any other brand, nor have I seen it made by Amperex North America. It is a medical grade/aircraft equipment grade super low noise tube, not sold to the general public. It is Amperex's answer to the ECC802S produced by Telefunken, and the 10M series made by Mullard. Most have the Bugle Boy on the label, although I have seen plain Amperex labels, and OEM labels such as Beckman Instruments. The 1950s vintage with the long plates and D-getters are to die for. They are among the best sounding and rarest 12AU7 around today. Don't miss the 1960s halo getter version of this tube, as well. They sound nearly as good as the D-getters and are usually half the price. Very few dealers ever have the 7316 of either type in stock, well worth seeking out and worth the higher price. We try to keep a few of each type in stock, but it is not easy. Better buy them when you can find them!

Unfortunately, it's all true.