Aesthetix Calypso, Tuberolling questions?

Barrelchief, in short, the Tungsrams just were not "right" in the bass department. The Brimars were sweet, but too laid back for rock. As kevin at Upscale Audio describes the the GE's as "light and bubbly, like a young blond." I agree with this assessment. More can be read on my tube roll in my thread on Calypso vs. Arc LS25...
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1123175230&openfrom&1&4&&st0

Mechans, thanks for the tube info. And I agree, Sovteks suck.

I recently decided to buy a set of Platinum grade GT GT12AX7M from Upscale for the phono stage of my Janus. I've tried quite a number of NOS 12AX7s here, including Bugle Boys, Teles, Mullards, Mazdas and Ediswans. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that these tubes sound as good as any, and furthermore display the lowest noise levels of any of them (essential in the phono stage, not as critical in the line stage, which is inherently quiet). As good as these are, I see absolutely no reason to go hunting further.

At the same time, I bought a pair of what Kevin describes as 'Early Russian 6H23/6922 Type 3'. These are also excellent, but IMO do not affect the overall sound as much as the 12AX7s.

I ended up with Tungsrams in all positions. E88CC (6922) and 12ax7's. I have been more than pleased with the overall sound and the preamp is dead quiet. The E88CC's do need a long burn-in of about 300 hours. The 12ax7's require far less. Many of the NOS Tungsrams require pin cleaning, as they come pretty oxidized. In my system, this combination produces tight, accurate bass, smooth top end, and superb inner detail. During the E88's first 100 hours, the sound changed pretty dramatically and I almost gave up on them. Glad I didn't.

What pray tell is a GT never heard of it. Is it a type of 12AX7 as in a 12AX7WA or is it a brand?? If so where do they come from etc.

GT = Groove Tube, 12AX7 tube. Sold in many guitar shops, but used in audio as well. Supposed to sound like a Mullard if I'm correct. I have a couple lying around here that I wasn't too impressed with. Price is right though and you could do a lot worse for new production tubes. Golden Dragon sounded better to me. Of course IMO nothing beats NOS of which I have Mullard, Telefunken and RCAs that I rotate in my phono stage.