tube recommendation please

Hi.

I just bought a Prologue 3 a little over a week ago. Unfortunately I haven't had as much time to listen as I want to. Kevin said to wait a a few weeks until the pre has had a chance to break in. I am trying to be patient, but have been contemplating tubes to roll. The stock tubes so far seem pretty good. Kevin selects the platinum grade tube for PL line, so they are screened to begin with. I am not sure which tube the x7 or u7 affects the sound more. I think I will shoot him an e mail. The rectifier tube used in the Prologue 3 have a good reliability record, so I am bit reluctant to change that out--but I probably will. The Mullard 5AR4 is expensive, you might want to look at the alternative versions listed in the manual.
If I may ask what is your amp and interconnects and speaker wire. These can greatly influence the sound stage etc.
Michael

I bought my unit used and it comes with PrimaLuna brand tube. Actually, they are very good. The whole unit with stock team is a big upgrade from my previous Audible Illusions L1. The AI is very good and a great leap from SS preamp, but I am very impressed with PrimaLuna even with stock tube.
Michaelo, what tube does it comes with your unit?
Detredwings, you get me very interested in the Full Music. I did a google search, it seems it got rave reviews! And price is much more reasonable than Amperex or Mullard NOS tubes. That is the next one on my list.
I still can't find out which one is the signal tube. I will send an email to PrimaLuna to ask.

Instead of guessing call Kevin at Upscale from whence your unit comes from. He knows more about this then anyone answering your thread.

Gte357 which of the two tubes is first in line is not really so important. You can be sure they are both in the signal path. I build tube preamps myself (diy). All the designs I have came across use one stage for gain and one is for drive/impedance matching.

I have not tried the Full Music 12au7's yet. But I'm building an Aikido line-stage preamp and plan to use those in the gain stage. I can't see how you would be disappointed if you tried them.

Gte357,

In my experience with my Rogue 99 preamp and M180 monoblocks the signal tube position, as I call it, definitely provided the dominant signature. This was also my experience with an Ayon Spirit integrated amp. It sounds like you'll have to experiment and see if the same holds true for your preamp.