Thanks for the offer Wayne. The only experience I have with Hexfreds is with my Pre-amp. I replaced the stock diodes with them. They sound a little smoother and they soften up the upper mids somewhat in my system. The damper diodes Eric turned me on to might make a good compromise but only if they are bridged or so I hear. That leaves Mercury Vapor Rec. tubes but to a novice they seem daunting but they are self regulating and provide plenty of plate voltage. So what do you think?