Based on limited understanding of your request, I would plug for the JAN RCA/GE 5R4GY or NOS vintage WE 274B recti, and a quad of EML 45 MESH plate. I just got a pair today and will check em out. A quad should be somewhere south of $1K retail.
I've used the following tubes in my 2 box Lampi 7.
Sovtek 2A3 - Great dynamics, but otherwise noisy and horrible. Score:
5/10
Sophia Electric 300B carbon 2.5v - Big and bold sound, huge soundstage and dynamics. May be a slight roll of at the top. But overall very good sound. However, it was a very noisy tube when I play music loud. I'd have kept it otherwise. Score:
8.5/10
EML 2A3 Mesh - One very kind audiophile (Luan) shipped me this and some other tubes to try with my Lampi. They were big sounding with good soundstage and dynamics. However, I thought they were little harsh at the top. But this was a while ago and my system was going through a bit of changes. But I wasn't impressed. Score:
7/10
Ken Rad 2A3 - I got a chance to try this tube courtesy of Luan. They are my favorite so far. Very organic sounding. Had decent bass and extension. Thick sounding but still very articulate. No harshness at all. Very musical. They might be little slow than say SE 300B or EML 2A3 but it didn't bother me and I listen to a lot of rock music. Score:
9/10
National Union 45 - Very musical. Smaller soundstage than SE 300B but adequate. It's not that big sounding with huge dynamics either. But overall very balanced sound. Very quiet tubes. They have a sweetness in the upper range. Given their price ($125 or so) they are one of the best bargain. Score:
8.5/10
Sylvania 6A3 - They are not as quiet as National Union 45 but otherwise shares the similar sweetness and balanced attributes that I've mentioned about NU 45. But in addition to that 6A3 is bigger sounding and with more 3D soundstage. In my setup they are very noisy at 2A3 position but more dynamic. In 45 position they are quieter and more mellow. Score:
8.5/10
I'm in the process of selling my tubes to fund EML 45 purchase. I'm trying to decide between EML mesh vs solid plate. If I didn't listen to rock music a lot, mesh plate would have been a clear winner. I hope to hear comparison from Wisnon about solid plate vs mesh plate.
