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Best small signal tube for a preamp?

Is there inherently a "best" small signal tube for use in a preamp? Assuming all other things are equal-which of course they never are.
Choices are 6922/12AT7/12AU7/6BK7/6BZ7/12BH7/6H30II (and varients to the listed tubes - e.g. E88CC for 6922, etc.).
The reason for my question is that I am auditioning the Lector Zoe, which can use all of the above tubes by way of its SATC ( autiomatic tube adaptation) circuit and user switchable 6V/12V plate voltage.
I am interested in your reason, which might have to do with inherent sonic characteristics, predisposition for problems such as noise or microphonics, or availability and economy of NOS tubes being better for one tube type over the others. All responses are welcome, and in return I will let you know the results of my listening with the different tubes that I try.
mitch2
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,186 posts
 
regarding the Zoe on tubes please remember the regular Russian 6h30 tube unless very closely matched can be as bad as a 6922 Sovtek the Best 6h30 which is very good is the DR designation this are the creme de creme scientific
grade and run at over $50 each I compared them and for sure they are very good and just a hair warmer then neutral.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Audioman58- pls provide contact info for supplier of $50 6H30DR.
adaug's avatar
adaug
11 posts
 
lector zoe fans want to know where the best deals are on the 6H30 DRs.

thanks for any help. -ad
hocheye's avatar
hocheye
39 posts
 
Best tube if your system sounds on the warm side are Siemens 12au7grey plate.I was running telefunken sounded great very warm but a little tubby in the bottom end.Put in the Siemens the midrange opened up with more depth and the bottom end tightened up with a bit more bang these are now my output tubes paired up with two amprex bugle boy tubes it sounds WOW! with my turntable.Pre amp is a jj electronics 243 from Slovakia.
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