Preamp Deal of the Century

Doc, You are quite ambitious I must say. The Philips is a great tube. I replaced the four 5881 regulator tubes that came with my Grange. I am currently using a matched quad of 1948 Westinghouse 6F6 and it sounds wonderful. FWIW I recommend using Walker SST or Xtreme contact enhancer.

Down the road, think about installing the Mundorf coupling capacitors. Expensive but they really kick some butt. I also replaced the factory installed Auricaps with a pair of V-Cap teflon film caps and my Grange is singing sweet.

Thanks Mustang.
I am surprised about your use of contact enhancer. I thought the conventional wisdom on that was not to use anything on tube pins. I use the SST product on connections with some success.
I appreciate the 6F6 tube info. I do not fully understand tube swapping. Ex. 6F6 for 5881. Nomenclature is so different. Foremost, DO NO DAMAGE.
Yes, I am a bit ambitious. I caught this disease about 40 years ago with my first purchase at the old "Lafayette
Electronics" store. I have never found a cure. I guess this gives up my age. I wish my ears were as good today.
I am possibly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I am sure I will always try out a new tube or set on IC's but my equipment purchases are nearly at the end. (I hope)
At least until the "next great thing" comes out.
The Cortese is so good that I find it hard to believe that it can get better with NOS tubes. I must hear for myself and in that light I may as well go for the best tubes I can find up front. I don't want to make tube swapping a full time job.
Doc

Docsavage,

Don't get so caught up in tube swapping that you lose track of the music. After the Cortese is broken in, try some of the NOS tubes that the guys have mentioned. Just make sure you enjoy the music above all else. I am playing Lucinda Williams double LP "World Without Tears". KILLER MUSIC!

Thanks Slowhand. The music is always first. Now playing Van Morrison "Enlightenment" I will definitely check out the Lucinda Williams LP. Thanks for the tip.

Doc

Doc,
the Lucinda Williams is brilliant.
I would not put a tube in my Syrah or anything else without a coating of Silclear and if I were you, I would just enjoy the pre as is.
I have a box of nos tubes that work and a much bigger box of their partners that are noisy or dead.All of which cost a fortune.
I've had some real scares with tubes letting go and I've settled for a cheapo pair of Valve Arts that sound fine and don't try to kill my system.
Take Micks advice, leave well alone and just enjoy your music !!!
Simon