Kind of an eclectic system that was created by budget finds and internet-direct purchases. Fortunately I've found surprisingly good synergy.
For the future, looking to complete the front end with a used cj preamp. For the price the Sierra-1s have been great in reigniting my interest in music, but would love to explore other speakers when the time and finances are right.
Your preamp uses 2 6C4 tubes (also known as 8080 from what i understand). (it will NOT work with 6922s...those work in my CJ preamp, and i was just using an example...sorry for any confusion.)
If you email Brent Jessee at audiotubes.com i have done business with Brent for the last 7 years, and bought over a dozen high quality NOS tubes from him. Mullard 8080s should be quite good assuming they are quiet which they should be. The EAT tube dampers are (in my experience) amazing, and i will not remove them from the key signal tubes (in my DAC and in my preamp). period. good luck.
Glad to be of some help! BTW, i still own and love CJ preamps...i have 'upgraded' my tubes from the stock Electroharmonix to a pair of Amperex 6922s from Brent Jessee Tubes...you may wish to give this a try...huge difference in my CJ. audiotubes.com i think.
Also found EAT tube dampers made a big improvement...the images solidified dramatically along with the solidity of each note, and the separation of instruments...a slight blur disappeared. Costs like 19 bucks each EAT tube damper. YMMV. Meanwhile...enjoy!!!
Good luck! I have heard great things about 14ls2...used to own the 14l...I have had a CJ preamp in my system for 12 years straight! Enjoy! I heard the cj2300 and at the time bought the mv60 instead. I thought it had a special magic, and with the ability to monoblock them, something you may wish to consider as well. mv60SE with the 65500 tube are supposely more linear sounding with far greater bass and soundstaging.
I liked the ACT2 pre, which was in the generation you mentioned where the 'honey sound' was minimized. Having now compared to the new GAT, i think this is absolutely true. the GAT is far, far more natural and yet at the same time has a much lower noise floor and is far more detailed. Incredible.
If you like the description of GAT, try ET3. If you like the slightly warmer sound of earlier CJ, try the 17LS.
The PFR is excellent for the money, though i think you might find compared to the ET3, it will show its age a bit in terms of sheer resolution while remaining exceptionally natural. Just one man's opinion. Good luck and pls us posted!
toro3 on Budget Minded