Juicy Music Blueberry vs Audio Research LS26 or ?

I'm running the pimped out 6H30 'DR' tubes. These are as good as it gets from what I can tell... The 6h30 tube does not have a deep NOS bench from which to choose. When I switched from the stock Sovteks to the DR version, the noise issue was about the same, but I found the DR's to be a little warmer, with no loss in detail.
I guess I'll have to be sure to get an in-home audition for whatever I choose, since I would honestly rather have the noise with beautiful music than noise-free sterility.

If you want dead quiet and exciting to listen to have a look at the Audio Horizons TP 2.1 tube line stage.Take a moment and scroll thru the thread on this forum.

I just had an MC installed in an original blueberry by Mark. The previous owner got rid of it because of some noise he was experiencing in his system -- I've only had it for about a month. I replaced the tubes (with cheap, stock tubes) and that solved the problem. From my perspective, it was simply a noisy tube.

Mark told me if you change the tubes on a Blueberry you have to have them tested for Low Noise output. In his words, the Blueberry is "merciless" on noisy or humming tubes. I'm no audio expert, but what makes the Blueberry excellent for the value and such a great pre-amp is also its biggest flaw - you're going to hear it if something is off because it's way more sensitive than most pre-amps at that price.

I know that this doesn't answer your question but it's interesting because I've heard this complaint before but I haven't experienced had any issues with this yet.

My .02 is to check the tubes for noise and keep the amp.

You might want to give Tom Tutay of Transition Audio Designs a call (850)244-3041. Let him build you one of his custom linestage preamp.I have been listening to one now for 2 weeks and its the best preamp I have ever heard.I had him make mine with a seperate power supply 6X5 tube rectification.The preamp itself uses a pair 12SN7.He will make it to order with the inputs you request and outputs.The only drawback is it will take him 6-8 weeks to build for you.
If you would like to see the photos I just took of the meticulous, beautifully laid out internals,email me.
This preamp is dead quiet,and sounds fantastic.
I had him use some Mundorf Silver/Gold Oil Caps in mine and there is nothing like a custom made to order preamp.
So much so I'm having him build me an all tube phono preamp. This man designs his own circuits and is probably one of the best kept secrets in audio. He truly is an analog guy as he doesn't even own a computer.
Please tell him I sent you.
Bill O'Connell
Morningstar Audio