AES - AE3 Linestage

Thanks, Mechans

I'm currently running a pair of Sylvania VT-231's along with a 70's Mullard 5AR4. I've also run Sylvania GTA's and RCA GTB's but prefer the VT-231's. Good to know that you found tube rolling to be more significant than cap upgrades. Perhaps I'll look into some of the early chrome-domes. Any other suggestions?

Save yourself a ton of money and buy the chrome domes,that Sylvania made for OEM. For example look for Philco Admiral and numerous others. Make sure the base has the Sylvania factory code 312 a date code usually follows.
Some GTAs are the style I think so highly of. You just have to find a reference pair to learn the architecture. Triangle plates are the wrong ones to buy. It's really a boxy rectangle with a straight spine with the rivets making the T.
Wrong maybe too strong. In a way none are really bad. I think that's what gives this pre and others by Cary the e.g. SLP-05 there magic.

Hexfreds, Caddocks, Mundorfs caps, dual Goldpoint attenuaters, 6SN7 GTBs

Mechans,

I can't say for sure that my GTA's are/aren't the ones that you speak of. They are short bottles with the flashing extending down the side of the tube. The plates are similar in shape to those in my Sylvania VT-231's - I'd describe them as having more of a "T-shape" than being triangular. They are also mounted parallel to one another, rather than being offset like the plates in the Sylvania GTB's.