VTA tube rolling

New to the forum.
I have an ST70 with El34 Tung Sols and Mullard 12AU7s.Am planning on replacing the Tungs with either Genelex KT66s or 88s.
I haven't found much info on VTA rolling. Any recommendations to replace the 12Au7s? Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome atomic1,

I don't have the VTA, my ST-70 uses one 12au7 and two EF86 tubes. Are you using made in England Mullards or re-issues? My ST-70 came with OS Mullards. I think they will be hard to beat, but I replaced mine with a Cifte/Mazda 12au7. I don't remember the differences; I only remember it as an immediate "wow this is it" type of experience. If you are interested I will revisit the Mullard and try to put into words what I hear as the differences.

These are the only 12au7 tubes I have tried.

'Frank

I got a bunch of 12AU7 organ tubes (Baldwin) for my other tube equipment. I had to buy the lot, but got some decent older tubes. Some Sylvania, and I think most RCA. Of course, some Westinghouse Taiwan too (good for firing up untested amps.....). A lot of tube rolling there for cheap....

English Mullards are hard to beat in many people's eyes, but it depends on the "sound" you like. That's what makes tube amps cool, you can try different tubes and get a different "sound".

I would think EL34 Tung Sols would be sweet sounding. Are they original NOS Tung Sols, or reissues?

Reissue Mullards and Tung Sols.

Greetingsand welcome aboard!

The Genelex gold lion reproduction kt 66 power tubes are oft used and praised here. With good reason... The were significantly better than the sov tek kt 88 I originally ran.

However, the gold lion kt 88 tubes were dramatically better than the gl kt 66 in my vta st 70 amp. "dramatically"being way better than "significantly."

Tbh, i would have paid more than twice the price for the difference it made. Ymmv, though not by much, i would wager.

Thanks for all of the info!!!

I run the hi gain... So 12AT7 for me.

I run a Siemens in the center spot and it is awsome. 1966 Siemens E81CC tube

I have been real happy with these guys (Live a few miles from me)

http://tctubes.com/12AU7-ECC32-5814A-6085.aspx

We ought to have a sticky thread up the top that deals both with tube sources, and tube experience and preferences of forum members.