So I've recently found myself in possession of a Susvara, and so far I've really been digging GEC CV6 with them. I tried Mullard Red Prints and Brimar 6J5 as well, but surprisingly I found the warmer tubes to be too smooth with the brighter Susvara. Boy, I hope I'm not becoming one of those people that likes NEUTRAL sound.
Any driver pairings that Susvara/HA-300 owners have been digging?
There are many more bright tubes out there than Mullard CV6. White prints are still my favourite, their sound is massive. On an equal pegging, i also love the Russian 6S5S/6C5C mesh which are a 6C5G true equivalent (cryllic makes this awkward!). Over the Mullard whiteprints, they just offer a touch more of everything. BUt i still come back to White prints as one of the best value fairly easy to get tubes. The russian 6C5C suddenly have a handful of availability on ebay, but once they dry up it would seem that my supplier network are giving up on them! Unobtanium is becoming very real. I found Pinnacle 6j5G to be more harsh, but a Chinese identical equivalent i think the 62C2 has been given more burn in time and sounds really very surprising! But, its slightly more lean but the presentation is pristine! Im also trialling the chinese 6C8P a CV6 equivalent, and its brilliantly neutral and super cheap. The problem with a lot of the chinese supplied tubes is that most have loose bases or are filfthy dirty, pins are corroded etc. SO a keen eye and diligence is required. I bought 7193 from a chinese supplier and all 12 got returned as they were wrong in all ways with 2 not working straight off, all had loose bases, some were massively microphonic!! Sometimes its worth paying a bit more to have a well tested set.
Most of what i have mentioned above i have multiples of, if you are interested in trying any of them, then PM me.
Mullard CV6 White (Joint first favourite)
Mullard CV6 Orange (4th/5th favourite)
Mullard CV6 Red (Close second favourite but a bit thinner)
Russian 6C5C (6C5G) (Joint first favourite)
Chinese 6C8P (CV6) (Really good, reaklly cheap!)
Chinese 62C2 (6J5 equiv)
Pinnacle 6J5G (A good cheap tube)
22DE4 Grey and Black.
I have rifled all the 7193 / 2C22 / CV6 derrivatives i can find. THese are defintately the best value for money and high availability sets.
I have rifled through many 6C5 (Like most of them but nothing to gain on top the above) and 6J5 (but not the £400-£1000 sets - YET!). They all have something to enjoy but i find them to be quite a bit more expensive than CV6 derrivatives for no gain in the majority of my tests.
Whilst you read my comments above, understand that im using these with Susvara, Elrog 300bMO and an already smooth performing R26 Gustard R-2-R DAC. Both the Gustard and Holo May are ultra smooth performers but bite where required. The May was a level above, but i find myself constantly feeding a second hobby (Astrophotography) and often play the swapsies game until find a happy compromise. The Gustard for ME, is 90% of the May L2. But i also believe these R-2-R dacs help smooth the way and offer an ultra realistic/emotive presentation over some more expensive alternatives. I really dislike bright, and have always been pulled to bright through my hi-fi journey - i now actively avoid it and find it hard to believe people find the Susvara bright - unless their DACS are super bright and causing the issue.
Also be sure to up your game on 22DE4, The best Japanese Grey and Black Plates make all the difference! They are not paired either so can be further refined by adding a single black plate amongst 3 greys, or 2/2 etc.
Im hoping to try E1148, a new handful of Russian 6C5C and maybe one of the top Mullard sets of 6J5/L63.
I would like to state how unbelieveably enjoyable it has been to be able to tune personal requirements where a solidstate amp would have been the end before you even got started. The Cayin300b is an amazing achievement that meets my TOTL requirements in every way.