How are Mullards supposed to sound?

I suspect that Kevin has dealt with many people who like to get his advice or a demo unit and then buy elsewhere. I'd guess he's gotten very good at detecting these people in a brief conversation. If he's wrong some of the time, that's just the price he pays for not having to spend the whole day on the phone with people who just want to chat. If he passes you off to someone else it's probably someone he thinks is perfectly capable of helping you.

I'm not implying anything about anyone on this thread. You may have had every intention of buying from Upscale.

Running a business is incredibly time consuming, especially a business like high-end audio. I'm sure Kevin could put in 16 hours a day and still have plenty left to do if he didn't keep his attention focused on just the tasks that require his personal attention. Or he may be a terrible guy. I don't know him personally.

Tom, I understand and, to some extent, agree with your thoughts. But I too run a business selling very expensive equipment and services. While there are always folks that want to waste your time; you simply cannot make snap judgements, demand preconditions or blow people off like that. That is a sure way to ruin your business.

I won't/don't need to spend any more time about the Kevin issue. I have probably already said too much. This should probably be moved to another conversation lamenting the sad state of high-end audio dealers. I don't want to highjack Layman's thread.

Incredible as it seems...replacing the (NOS)12AT7's with 12AU7's made no difference at all.

I have changed all the pre-amp tubes back to the EH tubes that I had before I decided to "upgrade."

So, I must therefore conclude that I don't like the sound of the Svetlana Mullard reproduction EL-34s.

I am disappointed but I guess this is all part of the "tube rolling" experience.

Original Mullards are hard to find, some dealers are selling old and used 4004s with labels and Nos saying that are new. Better get them from someone you trust.

Tom, absolutely! While I don't actually dedicate all my professional time to earn a living selling audio gear, I just fill out the forms, cut and mail in my checks to buy my ad space, list all the details, take photos, etc., in effort to sell my stuff. After all that effort I can't be bothered wasting any more time on people that just kick my proverbial tires only to end up spending much more money on a brand new item, complete with box, manual, accessories, and warranty at some Brick & Mortar salon. I'd much rather just take my chances just holding on to stuff longer and pay for more/longer ad space with the hope that my right kind of buyer might eventually come along. Without fail anybody that has ever purchased audio gear at a B&M, never, ever actually buys stuff on Audiogon. Every single last one of them is just the same, a contemptible lot that should be shunned at first chance. In this economy I can't be bothered wasting time for money.