I'm late to the party here and getting more into tubes as of lately. Learning a bit. And have picked up a couple choices to try, yet still compiling my impressions of each and some yet to be tested.
My Test Rig is iFi Pro iCan / Hifiman Susvara+Norne Silver Draug/ KTE Spring L4 Dac
and tubes I picked up for the amp are:
*Stock GE 5670 tubes
*Western Electric JW spec 0396 D Getter and O getter types (matched NOS) 6-7 different pairs
*LM Ericcson 2C51 D getters (NOS matched)
*LM Ericcson 2C51 D Getters (NOS matched) earlier gold pin versions supposedly better than WE396a JW's.
*Bendix 6385's Red Bank duet (matched and strong values)
*Tesla Pinched waste 6CC42 (NOS matched pair) These sound incredible, very detailed
*Tesla 6CC42 with O getter, Ring Getter and some odd 64' Teslas i forgot ( all NOS matched pairs) But can't find any Disc Getter pairs which apparently are the rarest?
*Sylvania gold brand (NOS matched)
considering some RCA command, and looking for GE 6386's... but sticking with the couple i've picked up thus far.
The bendix really sound pretty darn good and havent heard any teslas or LM E's yet. still enjoying WE's and Bendix and Tesla Pinched at this time. The stock GE 5670 tubes are OK for the amp i'm using. Tesla's might be my second favorite, yet oddly were not priced too expensive unlike the Bendix which are like hen's teeth and heavy premium. Bendix Gold Bank Duet's are pretty odd since they are taller than all the other tubes by a bit due to the TRIPLE mica's, yet sound a notable bit better all around and easily my favorite tubes!!! better detail on top end by a significant amount, perfect mid range and low end is quite controlled and tight with more bass than the rest of the tubes i've tested thus far... the sound stage of the Bendix Red Bank Duet's is the widest and most separated/vivid of all the tubes. Once I have more time with all these tubes i'll try to put more detailed description of each.
does anyone use those tube damper things and find they help? any recommendations?
If anyone has a pair of Bendix 6385's avail as 1964's or other variants, I would still like to get another pair for another amp. Please PM if you would like to sell