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I am seeking out what are the best tube options for the Belles 21A.
It takes two 12AU7 types.
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I'll second the Mullard CV4003s and the Auricap upgrade. That's what I ran when I had the preamp.
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With all of the info on this type of tube in the archives, I would suggest that you start there. While the Belles may have some peculiarities which favors one tube characteristic or another, I think that you will be hard-pressed to beat some of the recs from the archives.And I suggest, with due respect, that with few exceptions the previous suggestions of the JJ, the Mullard (without stating vintage or construction), the Sylvania 5814 (GB or not), and whatever it was that Kevin is selling, will not find themselves in with the best tubes of this type, so says the archived information.
The only thing that I can offer by way of a specific tube suggestion is to say that you should assemble a list of likely candidates and start looking at the cheapest ones first. As a for instance, I have only found a few tubes-of those that are readily available-that are more pleasing in my preamp than the old RCA blackplate 12AU7. There are some that are widely recognized as being superior, but they are not common, and are definitely not cheap, while the RCA BP is.
If you want cheap new production, I find the JJ/Tesla are a decent sounding tube, better than EH. They're inexpensive enough to give them a try. You might be surprised. I've been using a pair for over a year now in my Foreplay and haven't been tempted to swap them out for NOS yet. YMMV
I currently have Sylvania's in mine, very nice sound. I have had two different owners tell me that Mullard CV4003 were very nice. Also, someone told me that Radio Technique's that Upscale Audio sells are very good.I think the 21A is a steal for what you see it going for used. Add $500 in Auricap upgrades and it gets you a true reference pre.
regards,
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