I've posted from the start of the hyper mod discussion that, to me, the mod DOES in fact change our tube rolling. I posted that the DR's are now completely out of the question for me (in the TP) as they impart too much of a boomy bass and thick midrange in combo with the hypermod. The hypermod added so much needed weight and authority (as a good power supply upgrade should) that it made the signal tube decisions different IMO. I told Dan that we agree to disagree. Now I see Ken posting about it (the DR exclusion) and applaud his golden ears.
Really, all of us have collectively nailed it; to the point where this tube rolling is getting down to some empirical truths...yikes, does this mean we've discovered the combo and can now rest our wallets and rolling fingers? The EML is a no-brainer, and is a consistent performer for all of us cuz it's a consistent production tube. I'm very surprised that my No. 2 fave, the RCA VT-231 loses some detail for Ken, but it's moot, cuz the TS round plates win anyway (my own real pair arrive this week from Brent). But I bought the RCA VT-231's for $70/pair and could live with them if I hadn't heard the round plates. I also have the correct pair of Russian 6H8C's coming, but plan on using them only if my system changes elsewhere. George's comments on the Raytheons et al, and other suggestions, like my posts about the $40 RCA silver labels, for example, give great options for the small budget combos (although the EML is still mandatory
).
So, the big issues, as I see them, are these:
1) where can you put the MW TP on you rack, so the EML has room to breathe (think 8" spacing above the cover)
2) are the octal adapters worth it if you've found a magical EML/6CG7 combo (my opinion: yes!)
3) when can we get together and toast Dan and his Company? I've never enjoyed listening to music as much as I do now!!!
And I always can use a reason to drink.