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The standard tubes (Philips JAN 6DJ8 USA) did sound little bit "too aggressive" to me. I was looking for soft tube kind of sound. The mid range was good, the bass was fast and tight, the sound was not too thin, but just little bit too aggressive (too ROCK, I like softer). So I did order the JJ E88CC tubes and those are little bit softer and little thinner too (mid range).
If you can recommend softer sounding tubes with good midrange. I have also tweeter problem, its too bright, when I play louder.
I would agree... the JJs do seem to sound a bit less aggressive, and perhaps a bit more "smooth and refined" - than the stock tubes. Probably good with brighter phones - like Grados, or ATHs. Though, I still like the "aggressive" sound of the stock Philips, especially with my Senns, which need more "life."
You might try the NOS Amperex 6DJ8/6922s - will sound warmer, smoother, less brilliant highs - but... they come at a bit of a premium. The Russian 6H23N-EBs, or 6N1P-EBs, may also sound less "aggressive" in the upper mids and highs - while still providing solid bass, and rich mids. Though the 6N1Ps were a bit too "mellow" for me in the highs with my Senns. These both sounded great in my XCAN v3, which has a bit of a bright sound anyway. They might be a good fit in the NM version - which may have a bit brighter sound than the M version of the M24.
You also might try "mixing" the tubes a bit - for example, using Stock tubes in the tube DAC circuit, and the Russian tubes in the Line Stage circuit, and connecting your amp to the Line Stage output. You might find the Russian tubes in the Line Stage would mellow the bright sound of the Philips tubes in the DAC - they seemed to do that in mine. This configuration gives you more gain, but you can "tune" it to your preference (turn down the Lines Stage volume POT, and turn up the amp volume POT, etc.).
In the end... you'll likely have to "experiment" until you "get to your sound."
__________________ Sources: Marantz SA-8001 SACD/CDP - California Audio Labs Delta Transport - California Audio Labs Alpha Tube DAC - Monarchy Audio M24 Tube DAC - Monarchy Digital Upsampler - Sony Walkman EJ612CK & JD01 Portable CDPs -- Sold: Musical Fidelity XDAC v3 -- Music Hall MMF CD25 1+ CDP - California Audio Labs Sigma II Tube DAC.
Amps: Singlepower Extreme (canceled order) - WooAudio 6 SE Maxed (in process) - Aphex 204 Aural Exciter (to remove HD650 veil) - Shellbrook Maxi Moy Portable -- Sold: Darkvoice 332 w Svetlana 6S19P-EV & Tung Sol 5654 tubes (superb) - Musical Fidelity X-CANv8 - Musical Fidelity XCAN v3 (with PinkFloyd Mods) - Musical Fidelity X10 v3 Tube Buffer with XPSU v3 - Graham Slee Solo 2007 - WooAudio 3 - Grado RA-1 - Shellbrook Audio Lab Hybrid Head (Millet Hybrid) - Core Audio Tube Buffer - Meier Audio Move.
Phones: Senn HD580 (new version modded & de-veiled) w RAL Senn Cryo-Silver cable - Grado RS-1 - ATH AD2000 - Denon AH D5000 w Markl Mods -- Sold: Bose Tri-Port ("the beginning”) - Senn HD280 Pro - Senn HD600 x2 (old versions) & HD650 x2 (old and new versions) w Cardas, Zu Mobius, Headphile Senn v2 Blacksilver cables - Grado SR125 - Grado SR225 - Grado SR325i - Grado GS-1000.
Accessories: Signal Cable Black Magic PCs x2 - Iron Lung Jellyfish PCs x2 - CT Cryo Silver ICs x6 - Shellbrook Silver Mini IC - RnB Audio Sky Blue Mini IC - Caig Pro Gold - Walker SST - Herbie‘s Tube Dampers.
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