Recommend new EL84 tubes

to @lemonhaze There are older 2-3+ year old PSVANE and newer versions I've tested throughly, comparing 2012-2014 versions to 2019 yr plus and the newer 12AU7 and 12AT7s sounded better to me, notably. What changed, I don't know.  

As for EL84s, hard to say, you are on your own there unless others speak up having tried and compared to other EL84s. I believe Peter at Audio Note is using PSV in his own line relabled, so it would be a roll of the dice to try them, and I only recommended the EL84Ms from Sovtek since more than a few I know had luck with them.  

If you can find them, NOS military grade Mullard 12AT7s are the best you can get.

You might try Upscale Audio as they rep Manley gear and they also sell tubes.

Think the early Stingray amps came with EI (Yugoslavia) EL84's.

They have not been produced for years, but Upscale has them in stock.

I used the EI's in a Pilot 232 power amp and a single ended Magnavox amp with good results (sound was similar to Philips/Holland EL84's).

I also used old Russian 7189 types (later marketed by Sovtek as the EL84M).

They were not as 3D, but I still liked them in the Pilot.

However, the Pilot uses gobs of negative feedback (unlike the Stingray).

Maybe old production Amerex/Holland if they want to splurge on the input tubes.

Not familiar with the driver tubes.

DeKay

Andy at Vintage Tube in Michigan and Brent Jesse should both be able to help. Best wishes on your journey to help your friend ;-)

Jim

I replaced the stock Sovtek EL84's in my Leben CS-300xs with Tungsram's that I picked up from Upscale Audio.  Nice upgrade.