We just replaced the input tubes in our amps, so we've been listening this afternoon to a lot of old favorites (forgive me for so many repeats):
Malcolm Arnold "Eight English Dances" with Arnold/LPO on Lyrita SRCS 108
Ravel "Rapsodie Espagnole" and Rachmaninoff "Isle of the Dead" with Reiner/CSO on RCA LSC 2183 (Classic)
Beethoven "Kreutzer Sonata" with Heifitz on LSC 2577 (Cisco)
Shostakovich "Age of Gold Ballet suite" with Martinon/LSO on RCA LSC 2322-45 (Classic)
Holst "Savitri" with I.Holst/J.Baker/ECO on Argo ZNF 6
Holst "Double Concerto for 2 Violins and Orchestra" with I.Holst/ECO on Lyrita SRCS 44
Holst "Planets" with Previn/LSO on EMI ASD 3002
Sibelius "Finlandia" Mackerras/LondonPromsO on RCA LSC 2336-45 (Classic)
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Conclusion about the new input tubes? Big improvement: greater clarity; lower distortion; far less congestion during orchestral peak volumes when everyone is going for all they're worth. Next, go back and put Extreme SST on the tube pins and allow that to break in, then on to replacing tubes in the phono stage.
Regards to all,