Are there any other EAR 834P modders lately?

OK, I switched to the Bugle Boy in V2. Less open, only a hint of the bass the Mullard had, (soft sounding). Put the Mullard back in.

I'm working too hard, party people. Time to sign off and enjoy.

This thread got me wondering about my tube compliment. In the context of my system, these are the changes I made today while listening to Elvis Presley "Live From Memphis" Speakers Corner,. The tube orientation I previously mentioned had a little "spotlight" effect. I had previously used (2) 60's Seimens in V2 @ V3, then went for the Mullard in V2. The Mullards are warm with nice bass, however they are not the greatest for transparency/dynamics. This was a nice compliment to the other tubes, but too much of a good thing. Trying another Mullard in V3 produced a even warmer sound that I'm not very happy with. I then left one Mullard in V2, @ switched the others so the Tele is in V3 and the Seimens is in V1. Things are pretty nice now. Somehow I get the feeling of trying a Bugle Boy in V2 to replace the Mullard. Maybe later, will report back.

Slaw- glad your having fun with it. Read my simple post above again about SUT ( step up transformers) - the coil of wire that increases the voltage passively- without any active gain stage like an amplifier does.

MC cartridges are such low voltages that they have to be boosted before you put them into the phono preamplifier's gain stage in order to get a decent signal for the preamplifier. Or you can try some of Frogman's MM cartridge recommendations because they have a high voltage to start with.

Found some good info Audio Assylum thread and Joe's Tube lore. Many agree ( Joe- and other tube experts that tell me Joe is pretty much right on on most of his analysis) that the 12AX7 is a hazy, cloudy, non-detailed tube in most circuits. IMO it is better to change to something else for V1 (toward the back of the unit). Tim DiP does say you can use a 12AU7 instead, but he recommends only 12AX7 in the other 2 spots. Apparently RIAA is handled mainly by V2. V3 is actually a cathode follower tube and some have used non matching alternatives in V2 and V3 against Tim DiP's advice with good results. I am buying a Brimar CV4004 (it better be worth the high price) for V2 and will leave the Telefuncan Fisher in the cathode follower V3, and my Valvo 6201 blue print in V1.

Got the Brimar CV 4004 today- it is a variant of 12AX7 that went in to V2. Some one this thread had mentioned a Mullard CV 4004 for V2 being a good choice as well. The Brimar lowered my noise floor and increased the detail, but it did not match the telefuncan 12AX7 that I had in V3. My current recommendation based on my tube rolling with this modded EAR 834P:
I now have Valvo 6201 blue print in V1 ( 6201 is a 12AT7 variant), Brimar CV 4004 dated 1962 in V2, and Sylvania Gold Brand gold pin 6201 in V3. This is my best combination yet! I collected quite a few high end tubes on this journey, but should get many hours of vinyl/ tube pleasure.