Paul.......You are fortunate your better half appreciates the things you appreciate, especially music and high-end audio. Sharing this interest is a wonderful thing.
My suggestion with tube rolling is to begin with the Gold Lion and Siemens ECC801S (12AT7) tubes in your MC2301 amplifiers. Spend a few days to a week with each set to become genuinely familiar with the sound, then swap the second set in and do the same. You will be able to zero in on the strength of both tube manufacturers. As for power tubes, Gold Lion KT88's have served me extremely well and have provided excellent longevity. I have over six years on my original set of 16 Gold Lion KT88 tubes in my two MC2301's and they are still testing good and sounding excellent. I have 16 brand new Gold Lion KT88's in my tube locker but don't expect I will need them for another five to six years, maybe longer. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with the Gold Lion KT88's.
By the way, TubeMonger.com sells Siemens ECC801S tubes at a reasonable price. I have purchased tubes from them for many years. Good service and fast shipping. Only once did I receive a 12AX7 from them that wasn't matched properly to the remaining ones I purchased. They solved my issue immediately without a problem. You may want to check out their website.
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Dan
STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
Last edited by jdandy; 04-17-2019 at 11:11 PM.
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