Gus, Joe's Tube Lore is a great source of info on tubes. Though it is dated, a lot, the prices are not the same but the NOS tubes are the same and what he says still applies. This place never steered me wrong, info wise.
www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/f...oes-tubes.html#12AU7
You MIGHT want to get a couple of 12AU7s as spares, and just roll the two middle ones, keeping the stock tubes for spare.
Just a thought. Because honestly hearing differences with these tubes is nearly impossible for me anyway.
Cheers,
God Bless,
Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Great info and advice on rolling NOS tubes for fun and keeping them for spares if I find I prefer the originals. Once I get the PL up and running in the system, I will take a serious look at getting some spares.

The EL34 Power tubes are PrimaLuna's own brand but they do not build their own, obviously. they have a 60/40 agreement with the manufacturer in which PL keeps the top 60% of a batch of shipped tubes, and the other 40% gets shipped back for resale. These tubes get high ratings for durability and sound quality. A great place to start. The 12AU7's were designed into their product line because many companies produce them so replacements both new and NOS should be readily available.

Thank you very much for the tube provider and tutorial links. I will be sure to check them out. Your testimonial carries a lot of weight with me (we have corresponded before a couple of years ago when i first got my T1's. ) Appreciated. Genalex Gold Lions seem to be highly regarded, but I know there are a lot of choices. Defintely need to get a spare set for testing and backup purposes. Great Idea.

One advantage the guy in the vids mentions about PL's auto bias circuit is the tube don't have to be matched to work well. Perhaps matched sets would work even better, but I don't think my 60 year old ears will hear THAT much of a difference, especially if the difference in cost is substantial. If the difference is not too bad, then maybe worth a shot. We shall see.

Thanks again for your input Wayne. Appreciated. I'll let you know how everything sounds.
atb
Gus

RS1506:
Good choice on the Primaluna Dialogue. Tubes and Tritons go well together.
I've had a Primaluna Premium Preamp for about 4 years now. Exceptional build quality, aesthetically pleasing, maintenance-free and trouble-free are a few things that come to mind. Wayne makes a good suggestion in having a couple extra tubes sitting on the side in case one gives out. I've lost only one 12AU7 in 4 years, and that's the only one. When buying tubes I deal mainly with Kevin Deal at Upscaleaudio.com. He knows his stuff. Sound wise, the power and rectifier tubes will change sound the most.

Have a blast and report back when you've had a chance to break everything in.

Most welcome Gus, and yes, I remember you.
So glad you are getting WELL setup!!!
Thanks Bro Anthem for chiming in, I was hoping you would. I know yours is a PL pre-amp, but your experience counts a LOT here.
Happy listening everybody,
God Bless,
Wayne

Thank you for your contribution Anthem. Appreciated. Glad to hear you are enjoying your PL Preamp. I have read in many forums and reviews that the Triton line of tower speakers and tube amplification (especially PrimaLuna's offerings) are a synergetic match made in heaven. I already have the T1's... how could I resist the Previous owners offering on eBay to sell a near new PLD for several hundred $ less than new? And, he has done all the burning in for me as the EL34's have 140 hours on them while 12AU7's have about 1000 hours. I was very close to buying the Prologue after reading Herb Reichert's review in the Nov '16 issue of Stereophile. For the record, the PO purchased his PLD new May 2016 and agonized over selling the Dialogue for 2 months with his wife (she loved it too) before relenting and posting on Ebay. I was lucky enough to find it before someone else snatched it up!! I believe he has a bit of sellers remorse as he is hoping his two new Dialogue Premium HP, which are to be used as monoblocks "Will sound as good as the Dialogue Integrated". Btw: It's on its way. Should be here by Tuesday. Gonna start making room for my new pride and joy today.

Kevin's in depth tutorial about the Dialogue is what moved me to pull the trigger on the ebay offering rather than buying a new Prologue, although I'm sure I would have had not regretted that purchase at all

Kevin is the man I was referring to when I mentioned Genalex Gold Lion KT88's being highly recommend as a replacement for the EL34's, although he doesn't specify doing this with a PL amp. His tutorials are very informative and his humor (bluntness? LOL) and up front honesty is refreshing. The vid below I found especially informative and entertaining.



When I'm ready to buy, I will certainly consider his offerings.

Thank you both again for your valuable advice and insight. Appreciated.
I'll report my findings as time goes on.
atb
Gus