Recommended first tube roll for MG Head OTL?

[merc]

Okay, so after all my searching for a tubed preamp with great headphone and phono sections, I've finally decided to follow all your advice and just get the MG Head OTL.
What tubes would you guys recommend for my first tube roll, and where can I buy those tubes? I am on the list for Nick D's tube roller club, but I am way way down the list and don't want to wait to have some fun.
I have Senn HD-600 headphones and listen to all types of music with a Sony 555es SACD player as my source.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Nick Dangerous]

Sorry that you missed the first go-around. I'll ship the THSP to you after it completes its circular trip.

PM/email me with your mailing address and I'll send you a nice G.E. 5751 that performs near the top of the "middle tier". Perhaps that will hold you until you get the THSP.

You'll still need to replace your Sovtek EL84's. Try www.triodeelectronics.com and get a matched pair of JJ EL84's. They sound great and will last a long time.

The Ei Yugo EL84's are also better than the Sovteks, but I don't recommend them since they shave a wee bit off the top end and add bass. OTL mode has more than adequate bass with the JJ's, so why go over the top?

 

[merc]

Hi Nick!
Thank you very much for your kind offer. I'll send you an email shortly with my info. I am thinking of just buying a GE 5751, since Triode Electronics has a minimum purchase and a single 5751 falls below that minimum, so I might as well just get one of those now too with the JJ EL84s. I'll let you know via PM.

If you could buy ANY tubes for the MGH OTL, with a total budget of $150 or so, what tubes would you get? What tubes do you currently use in your MGH, and why did you pick them?

Once again, thank you so much for your help and your very kind offer!

 

[Nick Dangerous]

My favorite tubes jibe with Joe's Tube Lore. The triple blackplate Sylvania's sound amazing... with the windmill-getter Raytheon 5751 performing very, very close and the G.E. triple mica blackplate in a respectable third place. All three are great.

I'll post the details on the MG Head OTL tube rolling page ASAP.