How make my Ayre system "warmer"?

Hi Tvad- Like most subjective evaluations with regard to this hobby: One person's candy will be another's poison. My first Mullards(CV 4004) were tried in a CAL Alpha DAC, when I had a much less resolving system than now. Their warmth was much more than I could accept even then, and they were quickly replaced with Tele's(ECC83's). No problem with soundstage, imaging, etc., but the coloration was simply not natural. I agree with your ranking, RE coloration levels: Brimar, Mullard and Amperex(the "pinched waist" I could probably live with). To me the Siemens and Telefunkens(whatever family of nine pin miniature) are the most transparent, extended and uncolored(natural) out there. Let me narrow that last statement to the pre-1968 tubes manufactured for the German Telephone Services, and branded as "Specially Selected"). One nice thing about Mullards is that, once tried, if not appreciated: they are easy to sell. I do love their voltage rectifiers though.

To cut long story short, try Kubala-Sosna Emotion powercords, and when your budget allows it add IC's na SC.
You will not lose any resolution and balance will lean more to the bass.

Rodmann99999, it's also the gear into which the tubes are placed. I only ever
directly compared Mullard/Siemens tubes in a Lamm LL2 Deluxe preamp, Wright
Sound WP200C phono preamp, and a Moscode 401HR amplifier.

In these units, the Siemens CCa (early 60s grey riser) were transparent and
created an enormous image...but they were "too much" for my taste over
extended periods, approaching what I consider a clinical sound. I would not call
them natural.

To each his own.

I've got six NOS(pre- 1968) CCa's in my CDP(BAT VK-D5) and enjoy their presentation very much. Like you said, "It's also the gear into which the tubes are placed." My goal has always been to recreate(as much as possible) what I hear and feel in the live venues I visit/work a couple times, every week. It's been my experience that most people blame excellent components for shortcomings elsewhere in their audio chain. Again- Everyone has their own tastes also(I believe I mentioned, "subjective evaluations"). BTW- What was the manufacturing date on those CCa's you had? The ones made after '67 could singe your ear hairs with their stridency.

FWIW, Rodman99999, having owned one of those DK5 since they first came out, I think the Siemans may be particularily synergistic with it, not that they have a universal tone, one size fits all, for all applications. But I could imagine a case could be made for them in the DK5. The bass in the DK5 is a tad less than perfect and can use the tightening up that the Siemans would bring (as did the OEM Sovteks). Put warm tubes in that puppy and the bass gets muddy as all get out. That is my experience anyway. I can as easily accept Tvad's observation that in his applications they sounded clinical.