Best M8080 NOS tube for CJ preamp line stage?


Starting to get into some tube research, having recently replaced the tubes in my CJ pre-amp. I am still using the stock M8080 for the line stage, but am interested in upgrading with a pair of matched NOS, maybe Mullard or RCA. Suggestions?
sabocat59
Have tried different valves in my cj classic pre se.Have found the mullard m8080/cv4058 nos valves to be the best.Upgraded my classic to se.This was a excellent mod,well worth the money.Have had issues with left channel tube rush getting noisy.Have you had any problem's.
no problems really; just waited too long to replace the m8080's and did it with stock dealer tubes. The difference in sound sparked a new level of understanding re. the potential sonic impact of tube rolling. I know I can do better so will give the mullards a shot. do you have a year recommendation?
Nos mullards are hard to find.Conrad Johnson have replacments.I was lucky enough to find 20 sets 1972 at a very good price.
The Mullard M8080 that c-j sells is New Old Stock. A few years ago, soon after I bought my MET-1, the 6-channel preamp that uses M8080s, I bought a BUNCH of different 6C4s/6135s. Virtually all the 6C4s were highly microfonic and so bad I tossed them in the trash. I understand that the 6135 is a heavy-duty version of the 6C4, and the few I found, maybe a half-dozen, are not microfonic and sound plenty OK; I use them in the surround and SW channels. I use only the M8080s in the front-3 channels and have had NO problems with them. I have a trio that I removed from the front-3 channels after about a thousand hours that are just lying about; if you want them, they're yours for $15 Priority Mailed to you in the US. E-mail me at jeffreybehr(at)cox(dot)net if you're interested.

I hope you enjoy your c-j preamp; I sure love mine.
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Dre, the original M8080's were indeed Mullard. The replacements, sent by CJ through one of their respected retail dealers, were not. That being said, the pre-amp has never sounded better. I cannot identify these tubes but they seem to be really good. BUT, if i could find some NOS Mullard or RCA, I would try those as well. Found a few dealers on line that seem to have passed through the audiokarma filter (a bunch of DIY guys mainly), and the prices are a little higher than for the new Genalex 12AX7 tubes, which run roughly 40 bucks each. Check this out and let me know what you think:

https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm