Damok
New Head-Fier
Yes it's OK to replace the stock tubes right away. Depending on your budget, I'm not a big fan of the new Russian-made Tung-Sols (have one, don't like it). You can look for a new old stock RCA 6SN7 for between $25-$50 or a Shuguang CV-181 for about $90. The stock tubes blow.
I'd replace the power tube as well. My first one was a new old stock RCA 6AS7 that's a very solid performer. A little more $$ will get you a Svetlana Winged C 6AS7G (an eBay seller has them for $35 a pop). Either is good and both will make a positive impact on the sound.
Burning in, what you describe is correct. You can certainly just pop the tubes in and listen but you'll probably have an annoying hum during the burn-in process, and nothing is harmed by at least pulling the power tube and leaving the pre tube to burn in overnight the first night you have it.
Thank you so much for the advice. I am going to read up a bit more on the Shuguang CV-181.
You could but I wouldn’t. You don’t really know if anything got knocked loose from shipping and it would be a bummer to ruin a nice nos tube. So I’d let it sit on for hours 100% stock and make sure you don’t have any quality or shipping problems.
It was also my first but I didn’t use it for long and favored much cheaper old stock tubes. So I would just skip it. This tube is infamous for a single channel hum while it burns in.
Grab this adapter - link (updated) and get these tubes Link that will be a good start for you.
Yes, to start, try a Svetlana 6AS7G/6H13C power tube ($10-$20). If you can spend more try to get a 5998 ($75-$125) or a 7236 (will lack some low end vs the other two) ($35-$75).
If you hear a hum you can try the method you mentioned. You may not hear this hum on most tubes.
I appreciate you taking the extra time to send me some links as well as the advice, i went ahead and pulled the trigger on both items I am looking at a 5998 but how much does the Brand matter? The one on Ebay is a United NOS that several people are bidding on.