Hi Joe, depends on the type of sound you are after. I used RCA red base 6SN7's - clear, dynamic, and a nice midrange tone. The RCA black base have a more pronounced midrange tone but are not as transparent as the red base. Grey Glass RCA's - avoid.
I also quite like the General Electric 6SN7's - these are even more transparent than the RCA's, sound even faster, have better dynamics, and are more neutral.
I have tried tubes by Electro-Harmonix, Sylvania, Tung-Sol, and the standard no-name tubes that come with the Cary. All are so-so.
The only well known tube I would avoid is the Mullard. It is muddy and slow sounding.
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Source: Playback Designs MPS-5, Micro-Seiki BL99V, MA505 Mk2, Lyra Dorian, Denon 103D, RCM Sensor Phono Stage. Amplification: Cary SLP-05 pre, Cary CAD-211AE, SGR EL30S power, Marchand XM44. Speakers: Acapella High Violon, JL Audio F110 subwoofer pair. Pictures here
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