Does EAR324 phono stage sound like tubes ?

That's OK, Dan. I take your point. Mine are Sound Lab M1s, but I love Quads, too.

Hello again Dan,

What tubes (combo) are you using with your 88PB ?
Does all 4 tubes have to be the same brand ?
Would be interested what tube combo you find "best" with the 88pb.

Thanks.

Nolitan, here's they are:
V1, V2 & V4: NOS Telefunken PCC88 <> bottoms
V3: NOS Siemens PCC88 (branded Telefunken)

I handpicked from my collections and matched them closely by myself. The sonic improvements over stock tubes are stunningly great!

Dan

Thanks for reply. Are the stock tubes of the 88pb EI ?
I feel they sound quite good already.
On the positioning, V1 & V2 seems like those have to be matched. How about V3 and V4 ?

Thanks again.

Nolitan
I was told by Tim those are NOS Ei (A-frame)using Philips Holland technology. Without comparison to Telefunken/Siemens, yes they sound quite good already.

Q: V1 & V2 seems like those have to be matched. How about V3 and V4 ?

They run in constant current source circuitry in which left & right channels pass thru each tube simultaneously from V1, V2, V3 then V4(the last one).

Brand may vary in the way we want. I usually put the best matched Telefunken in V1 & V2 (the first two positions) and mix with one Siemens/Philips/Ei in either V3 or V4 to fine-tune the sound I want.

VBR
Dan