If I order Pacific without VC, will it work with 242 tubes on a low gain setting? Or do I need to tell Yoda specifically about 242 tubes? And if I do, how does he now, which gain to put on a low gain setting, as it totally depends on my preamp / amp / speaker combo? Sorry for all these questions, I just want to get it right this time.
Assuming you won’t go with the VC option ( I am actually considering going to the VC option if one day a MK2 or any kind of other improvements are being offered) you have a low/high gain switch totally independent of the tubes you are using. In my case the switch is located on the bottom of the unit ( as the provided Stacore feet are pretty high , it s easily accessible ).
Originally I ordered the RKPX25 tubes and the low gain switch with those tubes is providing a 2V output whereas the high gain is providing 6V output with those tubes again.
Then I bought a pair of KR242 and those tubes have more gain so I believe the 2v/6v range is no longer exactly respected. And with those specific tubes with the high gain switch on ( no issue at all with the PX25) I noticed some digital clipping issues with some recordings but also depending on your downstream preamp ( with a passive bespoke pre absolutely no issues at all) .
( I also did a test by using the Roon digital volume control. I had to put -3db to avoid the clipping issues)
So if I were you, I would ask to “calibrate” the high gain switch with the KR242 tubes in mind so you should be safe as those tubes are the most powerful ones I am aware of. And would you go with another tubes it will work smoothly even with the high switch on.
Alex