Frogman,
The 6ES8 is a variable mu tube, not suitable for pre-amp use,
no wonder it sounded awful. The AH! uses the tubes only as
buffers, not as voltage gain devices, giving more leeway in
your choices. As long as pinout is compatible, anything goes
but how it sounds is your call. My 6ES8's are American
Amperex, and they were really cheap in comparison to the
others I auditioned. As always, YMMV. Clyde.
The 6ES8 is a variable mu tube, not suitable for pre-amp use,
no wonder it sounded awful. The AH! uses the tubes only as
buffers, not as voltage gain devices, giving more leeway in
your choices. As long as pinout is compatible, anything goes
but how it sounds is your call. My 6ES8's are American
Amperex, and they were really cheap in comparison to the
others I auditioned. As always, YMMV. Clyde.