Sorry to intrude the regulars in this thread
I didn't post for a while but did keep an eye on the Elise thread(s) occasionally. I'd like to report on the use of Visseaux 6J5 or 6C5 in Elise. The Visseaux earned their reputation in the Project Ember thread, but (or because of that?) they are hard to find and the prices are getting silly. Particularly for the 6J5G coke bottle form (>200 dollar/pair NOS/NIB). So, I started experimenting with other forms. Turns out that the 6J5MG of 6J5MGT are 100% identical, construction wise and sound wise. They are glass tubes in metal cans that can easily be removed. Then they look like this:
Photo is taken from 'ask jan first' site - where it is claimed they still have stock of these. The site is outdated though...
I really really love these. Combined with the stock russian 6H13C powers, the bass is huge. With the 6H5C (close, but not identical in properties and sound) even more so. I think it bleeds a bit into the low/mids but boy these combination are 'physical'. Mids and highs are just like I like them: detail, but not exaggerated (I'm very sensitive to that). With 5998, the bass seems shifted to deeper frequencies. Still very physical, powerfull, probably more realistic. But the highs are over the top, this combination wears me out within an hour. Chatham 6AS7G: too polite. Where has the bass slam gone? Cetron 7236 : this may be the optimum for continued listening of all genres. Great bass, mids and highs with space and energy but not fatiguing.
One downside: I get some audible noise with all 6J5's I put in Elise via the ECC33->ECC31 adapters. Being single triodes, one set of triode connections of each tube socket is not connected. Maybe the noise creeps in there? I planned some experiments on potential remedies for that. Whatever: if you have some of these tubes, try them in the driver position and please report back! I know some of you come from Project Amber and have (or had) them. Decentlevi raved about them in Amber, but didn't like them much as drivers in Elise. As always, taste & synergy play a role. But in my view, these rate among the best. Quite similar in the excitement departmeent to FDD20 but without the hassle of external power.