will
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Pale Ryder,
Sounds like you are having fun!
I think you are right about tube break in. Seems like each tube takes a while to really show its sound, especially some of the new production ones from Russia can take 75-100 hours if I am not crazy.
Also I find that each tube type has "family resemblance" but a notable range within that depending on the maker, year, build, materials etc. Especially in the Zstage, where one tube has a big impact on the sound of the system. Add the bias switch and gain nob, as you have experienced, the Zstage is powerful. The gain nob and how it changes the source output voltage alone is huge. So it is no wonder that a higher or lower gain tube in this circuit will make a mark. If the Zstage is set close to unity gain for a given tube type, I find the extra gain of 12AT7s generally shows up as pushing a little harder throughout the range, tending toward a sound that is a bit more dynamic with slightly more defined "edges." Within that, the tonal characters of the specific tube is revealed with a bit more definition. Alternately, the lower gain of the 12AU7 (adjusted to relative unity gain in the Zstage) seems to generally be a bit more laid back across the range...less push with slightly softer definition. So if comparing a 12AT7 and a 12AU7 of very similar tonal character, and adjusted for unity, the slightly softer delivery of the 12AU7 could easily show up as slightly "warmer."
I think there is another factor at play here too though. If I read it correctly, the 12AT7, being more powerful to begin with, makes the Zstage more powerful, and thus causes the bias switch and gain nob to be a little less subtle than with a 12AU7.
Then there is synergy, or lack thereof with the rest of the stuff... the source, amp, the tubes in it, speakers, cables, room, setup, etc. I wonder...with two of the same Mullard 12AT7s in a row...seems like that could make that tube's signature, whatever it is, relatively dominant.
Just thinking that this simple Zstage thing can bring a lot of subtle and less subtle variation to the game....Makes playing around fun though, that is if you like that!
Also, your Zstage is very young, and if anything like mine, it will change for a while. I was just looking back at my notes and I see that I thought it was not fully burned in for four or five weeks! Another thing I noticed, was that for me, my enjoyment of different tubes was much more even after burn in. Makes sense that the internals of the Zstage that need burning in and the resulting tonal impacts would effect the signatures of different tubes in different ways. And that after burned in, the Zstage will sound more stable and more transparent.
Have fun with the new toy, and please keep us informed!
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