I do have the MKI which means 4 tubes to replace or try rather than 2.
@rodman99999 : "There’s no problem, trying just one pair per gain stage, at a time, to see if you like the change."
I’m not sure what that means. Does that mean I can just change 2 of the 4 tubes to get an adequate test of SQ?
"NOS Siemens(tighter bottom, airier and more detailed/cleaner than stock)."
That sounds like what I would want. A search reveals that gold pin versions of those tubes go for around $40 - $75 each. Does that sound right? How careful do I need to be to avoid fakes or crappy tubes?
" IF you’re actually happy with your sound, why fix something that isn’t broken? Just don’t go listening to a lot of live music."
I am actually quite happy with the sound, but there’s always that audiophile neurosis that whispers in my ear that maybe it could be better and I just don’t know how bad it sounds right now. But I don’t understand what you mean about live music. Live music recordings? I only have a few, all on vinyl. Not all that crazy about live recordings, but why would live recordings be a problem?
Edit: At Upscale Audio those Siemens tubes are $135 each and their site says they do not sell NOS. Does that mean they are used? How do you know how many hours are on them? Well, its all academic since right now there is no way I'm spending $500+ on a set of tubes. (I realize that's chump change for serious tube rollers).