tube upgrade for first sound

Oldpet,
I like my Supratek very much. It is a very musical preamp. I was lucky because a friend had a nearly new Chenin(less than two months old) that I was able to buy immediately when I found out that the H-Cat wasn't my cup of tea. I must say that another preamp on my short list was the First Sound. Best of luck on your audio adventures. Bob

Two updates:

FIM Model 88 Outlet. Emmanuel recommended it over the more expensive wattgate I had, and he nailed it. This thin gis a must-have for this preamp. Quiet as I'll get out, smooth as silk, yest highly resolving/transparent. This one doesn't rob dunamicsd or over-smooth things - it's very neutral. At $60, you can NOT go wrong. Trust me, this was pretty impressive, not subtle....

next up: early 1960's US-made pinched waist Amperex 6922's. I returend the "Siemens 7308 gold pins" when i discovered (while trying to resell them here) that they were manufactured in 1980. Yeouch! they really didnt hold a candle to the Amperex D-getter 6922's or Phillips Miniwatt 1959/1960 (aka Bugle Boy)tubes I had on hand, no matter how much I tried to like their "transparent" sound - they sucked - and now I know why. Boys and Girls: it's a jungle out there. make sure you know a priori what year your tubes were made before you buy....

On that note, Andy at Vintage Tube Services is 100% bone fide honest and waaaay more knowledgable than most out there.

Grant - you are indeed astute!