Thanks Grant. I agree, it will depend upon the amp you are using them in. I've had similar experiences where one tube type sounds better than another in one component, but is bested by the one it beat when rolled in another component. Never had any draw me to the few Chinese tubes I've heard, but still, that doesn't surprise me in the least...I've always seemed to find the ones I've heard rather hard and edgy. The best thing to do, if you can afford the price and the time, is to get various sets of tubes (preferably ones that have been previously burned-in) and roll them in the equipment you are going to be using them in. Pretty much like everything else in this hobby: use your own two ears, your own system, your own room, your own music, and your own judgement. What someone else thinks is best, may not be what works for you, and you'll never know unless you try. Ask any question as to which ________ is best here in these forums...virtually anything....and you are bound to get a virtual rainbow of responses. Do a search if you want an example...best tube, best monitor, best CD player under...blah, blah, blah. Or just look at the responses to this query. There is no one right answer, and anyone who believes they think they know there is one single answer for such a question that applies to all individuals has their head deeply entrenched in their own rectal cavity...IMNSHO People and their preferences are as unique as their fingerprints. Threads like this, and others like it, are merely a good place to start.
Marco
Marco