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Question for tube aficionados

I have a vintage Conrad-Johnson PV 11 preamp.
 I’ve always re-tubed it  with the cheapest tubes from Tube Depot (e.g. Electro-Harmonix 12AU7 and 12AX7, Sovtek 5751 and the like.). I’ve been very happy with the sound.
 My question is:
 Would it be worthwhile to spend more money on more exotic tubes?
  Would there be any appreciable difference in the sound?
 I’m powering the system with NuForce Reference 9 V3 monoblocks.
128x128rvpiano
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,414 posts
 
atmosphere,

 What make 5814 would you suggest?  or What to avoid?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,574 posts
 
I never had good luck with that variant. They often sounded harsh and microphonic. So I'm not the best person to ask...
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,414 posts
 
I contacted Conrad-Johnson.  They sell a complete set of recommended tubes for the PV 11 for $310.
I wonder if I should go in this direction.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,414 posts
 
The Conrad-Johnson description of the tubes is as follows:
 “V1 & V2: 12AX7 MULLARD| V3: 5751ELECTRO HARMONIX | V4, V5 & V6: 12AU7 YUGOSLAVIA.”

No further description than that.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,393 posts
 
It sounds like these are new production tubes. To go in this direction would get u right back where you started.
The only upgrade path is to try NOS. 
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