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Which tubes are the best?

Hi folks, I just got a Muzishare X7 integrated amp. It is beautifully made and sounds like it has a lot of promise. Even though I'm just breaking it in, I am thinking about tube changes. Why? It's just what I do. 
I'd like your opinion on the best replacement tubes, meaning smoothest, most "tubby" and mellow tubes. 
I won't be chasing NOS tubes. I'd like your experience with Gelenlex Gold Lion, TungSol, Mullard, Telefunken, or?,  etc. of current manufacture. The amp uses KT88, 12ax7, 12au7 and CR34 rectifier. 
Any thoughts about KT88 vs 6550 would be appreciated. I used to prefer 6550 way back when. 
Any information would be appreciated. Yes, I could go through all the old posts but I do have vision issues after four operations and that's why I'm asking straight out. 
Thanks in Advance. 
Back in the day, I used to do some serious tube rolling. The absolute mellowest, most laid back and detail rich tubes I ever found were some Mullards advertised in the back of Audio magazine. They had Magnus Organ printed on them. They were amazing. Unequalled. Ten years ago, I was cleaning out stuff and took a box of my small tubes to a local dealer. Some guy gave me $350 for them. Wish I still had them heh. 

fredcdobbs
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Tubular1- For those that like the JJ tubes - what is it that makes them good? Alos, where do you buy them?  

JJ are just as detailed and extended, yet just a tiny bit more liquid, which adds up to a bit deeper and more palpable sound stage. Compared to what? Tungsol, Gold Lion, ElectroHarmonix, and especially compared to the worst of all time, the only tube so bad I would say AVOID because literally 3 out of 5 failed spectacularly and within barely 2 months (!) tubestore.com "Preferred Series". Preferred?!?!? As compared to a root canal - maybe!! 

Oh well, they did honor the warranty- and gave me some credit when I said you know what, I am just not willing to risk tubes this bad in my amp unattended, which makes them totally unsuitable, so how about give me a deal on the tubes I know are good: JJ. And they did. And they are in there now, year and a half later, and still sound great. Just ask the guys who were here last Saturday.

facten
2,920 posts
 
There's nothing that prevents implementing tweaks and and still getting sq benefits from tube rolling.
akiravelvet's avatar
akiravelvet
72 posts
 
Groove tubes from brent jesse tubes.

EL34GT as they are made to be a close copy of Vintage Mullards. Brent mostly sells NOS and doesn’t like a lot of new production tubes but he signs off on these. That itself should say something.
truebluephil
24 posts
 
The only tubes I roll are the signal tubes and the only tubes I use for my power tubes are Genalex. I have three different amps and all of them have either the EL34, KT-66 or Kt-88 tubes
barbapapa
244 posts
 
You can read what Jeff Day says about the Sofia Electric KT88 ST tubes here : https://jeffsplace.positive-feedback.com/the-sophia-electric-kt88-st-and-el34-st-vacuum-tubes-review...

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