In anticipation of new speakers I thought I would treat my amp to a new pair of tubes. With a little advice from Upscale Audio I opted for Cifte 12AU7s instead of the Mullard's and holy crap.
I was told the Mullard's would deliver wonderful detail but would warm my sound a bit. The Cifte's would add top end sparkle and were describes as a 3D tube. Perfect description. With no other changes I feel that my sound stage is more immersive.
The piano in "In a Sentimental Mood" off Duke Elington and John Coltrane's record has never sparkled like this in my system and the level of nuance and detail is amazing.
The soundstage on Peter Gabriel's Solsbury hill is wider than I have ever heard. Currently I am listening to Dvorak's Symphony Number 7 and feel the separation of string is better than I have ever hear.
My only regret is that I did not buy these sooner. For less then $200 it has made a pronounced difference in my sound quality. If anyone is considering a new pair of 12AU7s for a preamp or an input stage in a power amp, the Cifte's are definitely worth a look.
In anticipation of new speakers I thought I would treat my amp to a new pair of tubes. With a little advice from Upscale Audio I opted for Cifte 12AU7s instead of the Mullard's and holy crap.
I was told the Mullard's would deliver wonderful detail but would warm my sound a bit. The Cifte's would add top end sparkle and were describes as a 3D tube. Perfect description. With no other changes I feel that my sound stage is more immersive.
The piano in "In a Sentimental Mood" off Duke Elington and John Coltrane's record has never sparkled like this in my system and the level of nuance and detail is amazing.
The soundstage on Peter Gabriel's Solsbury hill is wider than I have ever heard. Currently I am listening to Dvorak's Symphony Number 7 and feel the separation of string is better than I have ever hear.
My only regret is that I did not buy these sooner. For less then $200 it has made a pronounced difference in my sound quality. If anyone is considering a new pair of 12AU7s for a preamp or an input stage in a power amp, the Cifte's are definitely worth a look.