Need Tube Suggestions for Rogue Dragon Monos


I have been using the Rogue Dragon mono blocks for about a week now driving my Magnapan LRS+ and they are doing a great job. They have those panels by the short hairs and won't let go. Are they perfect? No, not quite. I would like more air and better layering in the staging. Tube rolling time.

Any suggestions for 12AU7 tubes to accomplish that? I have been rolling tubes in my preamp (Backert Labs Rhythm). I had a pair of Ray Select that were gutsy and textured but lacked the air/staging I want. Now listing to PSVane Horizons and they are closer to what I need.

I also have a pair of new production Mullards, a pair of Mazda NOS, and a pair of 5418A RCA Mil grade NOS. The tubes in the Dragons (also 12AU7) are the OEMs (not sure what) that come in it. Suggestions?

I'm also looking for a pair of NOS 6922 (Amperex?) for my tube buffer (between my Denifrips T+ 15th and my preamp). 

TIA!

markmuse

@buellrider97 Mike, what are nickle plate Seimens? Are these power tubes? If not, what number ID are they? 

You might want to consider PSVane Horizon for replacement tubes for the Hera. I like their 12AU7's quite a lot. 

Unfortunately the Hera takes 6H30p Russian tubes. There are only 2 brands currently produced Sovtek and E H same tube, same plant. The original Russian tubes go for $2-300 each and I use 8. The nickle plate Seimens is a 12AU7 with silver plates. I’m not sure on todays prices, maybe $800 for four.  The only Psvane tubes I ever tried are the standard KT-88 and one of the more expensive Ti version, they both sounded good. Cheers , Mike. 

For speaker cables, I suggest you try Silversmith Fidelium.  The company has a trial period and the owner responds to questions.  I ordered a pair, and they had a MAJOR positive impact on sound quality in my system.  I knew within about 30 seconds that there would be no trial period, that they were “keepers.”

@mike4597 Hi Mike, thanks for the suggestion. I did try them once a few years ago when I was using an AGD amp driving KEF Reference speakers. They were too bright in that system, but maybe that is what I need for this one. The wild card is the Maggies. They say to use the largest diameter cable you can use for current delivery. 

OP, sorry I cannot help you, except to agree with

@curiousjim 

I agree, I have been very satisfied with a variety of RCA’s for many units over the years, new, new match sets, and used ones people give me, pulled from yard sales, or came in the two Orange GE Serviceman Cases I bought at flea markets.

Sometimes, to solve a blowout, I’ll put 1 used one (thus a temporary mismatched pair) and keep listening until a matched pair I order gets here. Another reason to have a basic tube tester. The unmatched pair, with the used RCA always sounds good, while others, new or used can sound downright lousy.

I absolutely do not understand having tube equipment without having a basic tube tester. I would feel BLIND (and deaf) without mine.