Ive posted a few threads along the way regarding my old BAT 5i. I basically tried The Amperex PQ 6922 and PQ 7308 White label including the USN labeled tubes in all 6 line signal and the 2 shunt positions...then on to Siemens 7308...then mix and match with Tungsrams Red print 6922 and Ediswan 6DJ8's. I think the Siemens were the most to my liking as they were the most linear sounding and least bloated in the bass( the Ediswans too) I found this pre amp to be very smooth, with superb bass, but a little too closed in sounding for my taste on the upper end...hence the tube rolling, I ultimately prefered my former ARC LS15 in the mids and highs, but it suffered in the bass and depth of soundstage by comparison to the BAT..
The best 5881 I found was the TungSol 5881 by a big margin. It gets this pre amps mids almost halographic, but still doesnt open up the upper freqs.
If I were looking to roll tubes in the 5i now..I would definately try the Cryo'd 6H23n-eb SLNM avail from ATSI. I put a trio in my PH3SE phono pre amp and they are tremendously good!..I like them so much that I sent my Siemens early CCa's packing!
You should also make sure you use an excellent aftermarket cord. The Electraglide Ultra Khan Statement II Rev/Revised is awesome on the BAT. Really makes it dynamic and more transparent.The UK2 Statement R/R price has come down to a point that make it very accessable on the used market. That pre amp deserves an excellent cord.
I also Very Highly suggest you turn it off and dont leave it on 24/7... A 20-30 min warm up will get you going just fine, but leaving it on all the time will run your tubes( all 10 of them!) down very quickly. You dont want that. :) Good luck!
The best 5881 I found was the TungSol 5881 by a big margin. It gets this pre amps mids almost halographic, but still doesnt open up the upper freqs.
If I were looking to roll tubes in the 5i now..I would definately try the Cryo'd 6H23n-eb SLNM avail from ATSI. I put a trio in my PH3SE phono pre amp and they are tremendously good!..I like them so much that I sent my Siemens early CCa's packing!
You should also make sure you use an excellent aftermarket cord. The Electraglide Ultra Khan Statement II Rev/Revised is awesome on the BAT. Really makes it dynamic and more transparent.The UK2 Statement R/R price has come down to a point that make it very accessable on the used market. That pre amp deserves an excellent cord.
I also Very Highly suggest you turn it off and dont leave it on 24/7... A 20-30 min warm up will get you going just fine, but leaving it on all the time will run your tubes( all 10 of them!) down very quickly. You dont want that. :) Good luck!