Kevin has just told me that the Gold Lions might be the best idea to get what I'm looking for, and that is certainly the easiest option for me.
I take your point that the input valves are likely to make more difference, but I can't get much warmer than my Mullard CV4003. Pre-amp valves I can work on.
I suspect the change I'm looking for may not come with small things like valve changes, I've just switched speakers from my Vaughn Cabernet 1 to my Harbeth SHL5Plus. There's certainly no lack of warmth with the Harbeths, as you'd expect. It might be that I will need a differnet power amp to get a warmer and more intimate sound with the Vaughns, but then I'd risk losing the amazing dynamics. Always a tricky balancing act.
I take your point that the input valves are likely to make more difference, but I can't get much warmer than my Mullard CV4003. Pre-amp valves I can work on.
I suspect the change I'm looking for may not come with small things like valve changes, I've just switched speakers from my Vaughn Cabernet 1 to my Harbeth SHL5Plus. There's certainly no lack of warmth with the Harbeths, as you'd expect. It might be that I will need a differnet power amp to get a warmer and more intimate sound with the Vaughns, but then I'd risk losing the amazing dynamics. Always a tricky balancing act.