I replaced the volume pot on my tube preamplifier.

@jordi  Obviously, I concur. Contrary to the seeming naivete of my opening post, I have run into this issue before. I built an overkill phono preamplifier back in the day and it sounded fantastic (with a cheap RS sourced pot). I was to demo it to a dealer and wanting to make the best impression, replaced the pot with a Sfernice unit ordered from France. I hastily swapped out the pot, tested on the scope and packed up the amp. The demo went well with the dealer saying, "don’t call us, we’ll call you." Let’s just say, the fancy pot destroyed the sound. And that is why I’ve waited all these years to try a different pot.

Maybe we need to pressure manufacturers to use better pots.

Too many audiophiles are incurious what is inside their components and never take the covers off, and some manufacturers take advantage.

Meanwhile, the 2P65CS is superb. The stepper mechanism (whose only function is to provide tactile and auditory feedback) is a thing of beauty, with its exposed gear and ball-bearing detent.

Unfortunately, the limited space in my Krell pre only allowed for a 25 x 25 mm form factor, but had I installed a 2P65CS in there I don't think I'd ever put the cover back on 😃

Devin….i agree

I can think of many SS/hybrid manufacturers that avoid Blue Velvet pots.  But when it comes to pure valves I can only think of BAT and Aric Audio that do the same.  I am sure there are more, but it seems tube gear falls into the ALPS trap more easily.  Any help on other options (pre or integrated)?