Recommended 12au7/5814s for Atma-sphere MP-3


I'm told these are the tubes that make the most difference in the MP-3; I have Sylvania 6sn7GTBs for those tubes in the unit. I think that how a tube sounds has a lot to do with the circuit that it is in, so I would like to hear from those that have rolled the 12au7 tubes in this particular unit; although I also welcome general comments on the 12au7/5814 breed. I have RCA Clear Tops, Siemens 5814s, RCA Black Plate 5814s, RFT 12au7, and RT 5814s, and Tungsol 5814s - I haven't started rolling yet; I have the Siemens in the unit and it seems to be very clear and spacious, but I'd like to know what other flavors I can expect with some alternatives. Thank you.
pubul57
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My favorite is the 7316 sub for a 12AU7. I use them in my Jadis DA 60 but have rolled them into several different integrated amps with great outcomes. They are very good for upper end detail and have a soundstage that is unreal, in a good way. They are scarce and to my knowledge were only made around 1960 and only by Amperex Holland. The one caveat is that they can be very expensive these days. OTOH what good tube isn't? If you like the clarity of the Siemens for a strong clean signal try that other German tube Telefunken ECC82.
BTW as my old friend says quoting Kondo San nothing is unimportant. The 6SN7s do have an impact on the sound the Sylvania GTB IMHO are very nice somewhat warm tubes with a euphonic midrange. I won't write a novel about the available 6SN7s to try. They remain the only tube that is infinitely better as NOS or OS than anything new. Please note that I emphasize infinitely better. My own tube collection contains mainly older tubes. However new production has begun to climb up the lader as true NOS go extinct and pulls or throw away tubes are what appears to be what is being sold.
The Mullard is the one obvious pair I do not currently own that I do want to try. Are they all the same (CV4003 and the 12Au7s), any good sources? Does seem like Andy at VTS carries them. I agree that the Amperex would be great to own, but the prices and scarcity makes give up on them. The Mullard's seem to be more accessible. If I could find some strong matched GTBs I would also give them a try, if they are warmer than the GTBs it might work well with the Siemens.
You may find some of these observations useful:(http://home.comcast.net/~gillespie147/12AU7-Preamp.html)(http://home.att.net/~chimeraone/6sn7sound.html) I've tried the top 8 tubes on the Chimera list. The RCA, Raytheon and National Union VT-231's(all 40's, bottom getters) would definately please your aural tastebuds.