Tubes in VTL 2.5 preamp

I have an older 2.5 that uses 6350's in place of the 12AT's. Since owning the amp I've retubed three times, while trying a variety of different tubes. To my ears I have found no significant difference between the stock tubes and the others. I think the magic of the preamp is in the circuit design. Let the wrath of the tube rollers begin.

There are a couple of VTL TL2.5 threads in the Audioasylum.com "Tubes" forum.

I think the member's name was "paco" who did some pretty extensive tube rolling. Some recommendations I remember are:

- The Amperex you mentioned.
- Philips miniwatt (made in Holland)
- Mullard NOS (made in UK)

He has some others there as well.

I also have the VTL TL2.5 that I picked up in November and am quite enjoying it. It powers a new Bryston 3BSST and the combo really works well together.

My dealer has some Mullard NOS that I'm thinking of buying ($40.00 ea.)

Have fun.
Mike

I've had my TL2.5 preamp since new in '97
It's an early one with 12AU7's & 6350's
I ran a couple sets of JJ's that VTL sells.

I ran a set of Amperex Bugle Boy 12AU7's for the last 3-4 years. There was a significant improvement over the JJ's.

I just got a set of NOS 1959 Telefunken long plate 12AU7's. Another significant improvement over the Bugle Boys. Improvements are soundstage width, separation. Huge improvement in timbre - drums & cymbals.

I've just installed them today & started listening to them but it is a pretty huge improvement.

I owned a VTL 2.5 for a few years, the 12AT7/12AU7 version. Over the years I rolled a bunch of NOS and new tubes thru the device and it never made an appreciable difference in sonic performance.