Hi Samhar,
So I finally put the Amperex 7308 (US...gold pins) into my Zanden DAC...replaced the Mullard 7308 which I think is a fantastic tube.
So here goes.
...It is hard to call anything 'better' when (as most of us would agree) the tube's sound is totally system-dependent. So in my system and to my ears, I am going to buy more Amperex 7308's. My system has a slight tendency to the dark-side...SF Strads, Gryphon Antileon, Zanden DAC, CJ Act 2 Pre and older Transp Ref cabling (pre-XL).
The Amperex maintains all the musicality, detailing and soundstaging of the Mullard but adds a 'light' in the upper register and voices that is providing me with precisely the balance I have been looking for...ie, balancing against a tendency in my warm system to be a tad 'dark'.
I was actually contemplating upgrading Transp Ref cables to newer Ref MM...now I am holding off. The Amperex 7308 made that much difference in adding "light" to my system.
And still so musical...and mind you, my Zanden warm-up is four hours, and I am writing this after sticking the tube in for 30 minutes. So one's man's experience. Hope that helps!!
In 4 hours, I will of course 're-check'...but I am pretty confident I am going to get a bunch of Amperex 7308s.
Lloyd
