Which tubes are the best?


Hi folks, I just got a Muzishare X7 integrated amp. It is beautifully made and sounds like it has a lot of promise. Even though I'm just breaking it in, I am thinking about tube changes. Why? It's just what I do. 
I'd like your opinion on the best replacement tubes, meaning smoothest, most "tubby" and mellow tubes. 
I won't be chasing NOS tubes. I'd like your experience with Gelenlex Gold Lion, TungSol, Mullard, Telefunken, or?,  etc. of current manufacture. The amp uses KT88, 12ax7, 12au7 and CR34 rectifier. 
Any thoughts about KT88 vs 6550 would be appreciated. I used to prefer 6550 way back when. 
Any information would be appreciated. Yes, I could go through all the old posts but I do have vision issues after four operations and that's why I'm asking straight out. 
Thanks in Advance. 
Back in the day, I used to do some serious tube rolling. The absolute mellowest, most laid back and detail rich tubes I ever found were some Mullards advertised in the back of Audio magazine. They had Magnus Organ printed on them. They were amazing. Unequalled. Ten years ago, I was cleaning out stuff and took a box of my small tubes to a local dealer. Some guy gave me $350 for them. Wish I still had them heh. 

fredcdobbs

Showing 1 response by iclickjohn

Sorry, just a novice here. Got a PrimaLuna amp that started to whiz a little so I went to get some new tubes. (This was just two weeks ago) After some research and reviews choose the "Natural Sound 6CA-7" which is a Shu Guang Perfect Pair. So while I was in the mood to spend some money I figured what the heck, I'll replace the 12AU7 as well. Landed on the Gold Lion Genalex ECC82/B749. Yay.
So put them in and loaded up some of my best music recordings. Well. Spent the next three days relistening to music that literally blew me away anew. I thought, dang, these Double Impacts ARE pretty good. Dang, this PrimaLuna IS pretty good. Everything went up to like double as good. Nothing changed but the tubes. And quiet, wow. But like I said, I'm no expert but I know what my ears hear.