Mtb - you're right, the choice of tubes is both subjective and system dependent.
I'm not sure if my description would be helpful to anyone else but I found the Genalex KT-77's to have the same kind of musicality as the "C" El34's but they seemed more articulate, if that makes any sense. That applies both to the PRAT and to the soundstage. They just sounded right, more transparent without losing any of the sweetness. I'm afraid that's the best I can do and even that probably isn't all that illuminating.
I was using the tubes in an AES AE-25 Superamp in triode, driving a pair of Devore 8's.
I did take acetone and a paper towel and remove all the swirly red and gold script on the glass of the KT-77's, after which they looked like proper tubes rather than something you'd find in a New Age candle shop.
I'm not sure if my description would be helpful to anyone else but I found the Genalex KT-77's to have the same kind of musicality as the "C" El34's but they seemed more articulate, if that makes any sense. That applies both to the PRAT and to the soundstage. They just sounded right, more transparent without losing any of the sweetness. I'm afraid that's the best I can do and even that probably isn't all that illuminating.
I was using the tubes in an AES AE-25 Superamp in triode, driving a pair of Devore 8's.
I did take acetone and a paper towel and remove all the swirly red and gold script on the glass of the KT-77's, after which they looked like proper tubes rather than something you'd find in a New Age candle shop.