Lab12 Melto 2 - tube rolling

@pbecker128 nice! 
I was about to post an update on tubes. Long story slim, the Gold Lions are just OK, nothing special after they broke in. I would characterize them as slightly dry and solid state sounding, not much going on as far as tube magic in the mids. They’re quiet and neutral but dry and even slightly dull musically. 
I prefer the standard stock EH. Will probably sell the Lions. 
My favorite are the 1976 Siemens. Fantastic tube. Midrange bloom, clarity, texture and great soundstage. I yanked the GLs out yesterday and put back the Siemens. 
I also tried and liked the NOS Russian 6H23N EB and they’re very good. Better than the GL but slightly reserved up top. 
 

What gain and load settings are you using?

@billstevenson how is the sound quality on that Dexter LP? I’m looking to pick up a few new blue note records, some from the recommendations earlier in this thread 

Speaking of "If you go away", I just read the piece in Wiki on the life of Jacques Brel.  What a very impressive and interesting man who achieved a great deal in only 49 years of life, which he lived fully! I only remember him as the titular subject of the musical "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" which played for ages on Broadway.  At the end of the Wiki bio, there is a list of singers who have covered his songs, including "if you go away".  The list is quite lengthy (three long columns in Wiki) and includes Shirley Horn.  But it does not include Charles Aznavour.  So the recording of "if you go away" that lives in my mind must be of Jacques Brel himself singing the song.

@lewm yes. I also thought it was Aznavour singing but it Brel

audphile1 The sound quality of this record is really good.  Tone Poets are as good as any re-issues from anybody.  Kevin Gray is doing the mastering, the surfaces are flawless.  The vast majority of Tone Poets are mono.  Dexter Calling, is a rare exception being in stereo, but it sounds great.  It sounds like Dex is right here in the room.  And listening to Philly Joe's brush work, OMG!  Rudy Van Gelder was not the best at recording piano, but Kevin did a remarkable job of pulling Kenny Drew up to even.  Paul Chambers is solid, clean, woody, beautiful tone.  These guys played together on this like they were a working band.