Well
@shafat777 and
@connieflyer , such differences in findings are of course the double-edged sword in tubedom alas, and one I'm afraid finally tainted my own love affair with tubes....something I never anticipated lol! But for those happy and willing to keep sampling different fare until (hopefully) finding one's own sweet spot, such variety can of course be very helpful in said quest.
As I myself continued to progressively upgrade all other parts of my system, I found that my previous (long term) favourite tubes would suddenly display properties that I felt could be improved...hence my (almost) manic continual search for new tubes to do the trick!
Given that ALL tubes 'color' the original sound source - ie
distort it to some degree or other, my personal craving for a more precise, true-to-the-original recording reproduction - (along with being a detail freak!) - is what finally led me to what IMHO brought the least 'distorted' tube presentation, with the clearest/most 'veil'-free delivery of all those that went before - namely the ridiculously cheap Russian Military GU50, which I had driving a dual power combo of GU50 and GEC KT88 (or, rather, the top anode TT21 equivalent). It's such a shame the GU50 needs 12V heater supply; a giant adapter and must be the least pretty tube on the planet!! But boy, what a sound...
in my system ....and
almost what I craved...
. If I were to go approaching an amp maker once again, I'd definitely suggest configuring for such a combination...with perhaps facility for an additional 6SN7 double triode driver for any sound tweaking/flexibility. And although the only alternative to the Russian tube seems to be an inferior Chinese one, there appears to be a plentiful supply of the Russian due to massive military over-production! But 'pie in the sky' to be sure alas, methinks...
.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings...and as has been stated
many times before, no 2 systems will ever sound exactly the same (not to mention differences in hearing/preference!). Hence that interminable(?!) rabbit chase
...CHEERS guys...CJ