(... for the sound in your phones, at least.)
My amp (for my loudspeakers - JMLab 707's) runs on those same magical EL84's. It's a Jolida 102b, and I love it. You are listed as from VA, so you might want to drive up to Jolida HQ, right between DC and Balt, for a visit, and be amazed - only $580 gets you this:
http://www.jolida.com/catalogue/jd102b.html
I am just getting into head-fi, and will probably get a META 42, hopefully from one of the fine builders here.
But I can see myself, on an occasion in the future in which I have been very, VERY good, rewarding myself with some tubes for my headphones. I don't think there is a better tube value out there than the Head MG.
Congrats - I will be very interested in what it turns into after the toobs bloom after 40-50 hours of use. If it is anything like my amp, the soundstage just starts growing and growing. You may like it now, but trust me when I tell you that you haven't even heard it yet.
If I am not mistaken, that model ships with Sovteks. They aren't bad tubes at all - just a little mellow for some people's taste. Completely personal preference. JJ's are reasonable, and a little brighter.
A friend of mine is trying to get me to upgrade the 12ax7 (I think that's on the MG, too) to an NOS Telefunken. He says that makes pure magic.
Congrats -
GnD - Not to be confused with you!
David H
Columbia, MD