Big thumbs up for Tesla. Got my Icon Audio phono stage back from being overhauled and re-valved (it's a very early model): understandably it had been returned to OE spec.
All OK but it had lost it's creamy, extra punchy delivery. Ordered 4 new Tesla ECC88's from Watford Valves as replacements and bingo! Same valve spec - different manufacturer. Now who would have thought that........?
Source: Orbe SE / SME IV / Cadenza Bronze
Source: WD NAS / Cyrus Stream X2 / Chord DAVE
Source: Oppo UDP-205 (CD/DVD-A/SACD)
Amplification: Icon Audio PS 3 Sig Phono + Audio Research LS27 + Musical Fidelity A5cr Power Amp
Loudspeakers: ProAc Response D28
Cables/stands: Mark Grant G1500HD + Linn K20 + Cat 5e
Other bits: Okki Nokki keeping things clean