re-tubing CJ LP70s

Keshui
You could try the GE 5751 tripple mica or RCA 5751 tripple mica either black plate or gray. I have the black plate but not sure if the gray plate sounds a lot different. A matched pair of these are typically less than the 12AX7 tubes. These are not too hard to find in a matched pair. You might check to see what the gain blocks are set on the Calypso and lower the gain if the tubes are noisy.

My choices for what you want
1. Amperex 12Ax7 "D" Getter
combined with
Amperex 7308 White Label Holland
Amperex 6922 PQ " " " US
Seimans EI88CC
2. Amperex 12AX7 Halo Getter White or Orange
Amperex 7308 PQ White Label US or USN-CES 6922
Seimans EI88CC
3.Mullard CV 4004
Amperex 6922 PQ White or Orange
Amperex 7308 PQ Holland

Change all the 6922 tubes out for a nice set of amperex or mullard 6DJ8 and it will help. You can try to install KT88 in it also but I have never tried that and don't know if that will improve on the SED 6550.

Not sure why people are mentioning 12ax7 tubes. The LP70 uses 6922. I believe the 5751 are a lower gain so be careful.

I was thinking the Mds school of rolling the Calypso tubes first and didn't state that, sorry!!!

Any of the Amperex 6922's/7308's would be great in the C/J driver sockets.

Jtimothya,

In my post above I mentioned my preference for SED Winged C 6550 tubes in my CJ Premier 8A's. However FYI I had already scheduled to have my PR 8's converted to the XS triode version utilizing EL 34's tubes, for the reasons you mentioned in your post. I have 4 quads of original NOS TESLA EL 34s on hand which I aquired for the conversion. I am very anxious to hear the change. I am also having Teflon V-Caps installed while I am getting the XS conversion done.