Most Musical 6NS7 tube for a Preamp?


A request for recommendations by those with experience with different 6SN7 tubes.

My system so far is a Pass Labs XA25 SS Amp, and a circa 1988 Tannoy FSMs.
The speakers operate at 4 ohms with a 94 sensitivity.

The room size is medium. Acoustically well treated.

I listen at lower volumes 60-75db. Vocals mostly.

I am looking for the most musical preamp, with a remote.

Budget is $3k. Used preferred. Better value.

Not considering anything from Schiit Audio.

Considering- Supratek Chardonnay.

Any other suggestions?

Tube Ideas?

Thank you!
chorus
I’m using the Tung-Sol black glass round plates in my Audio Note pre. They are so pleasing to the senses.

Some good info...
http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/6sn7_vt.htm


Having tried the top thirteen tubes, of this comparison: http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/6sn7_vt.htm, I have to agree, the Tung-Sol, round plate, w/oval mica, is a beautiful, neutral, extended at both ends, with excellent sound stage and precise imaging, tube.      The pair that I now have in my Carys, came out of three NOS pairs (from three different sources), however.     The other four all went intermittently noisy(crackles), after less than a year, each.      However; I’ll never regret the purchases.      They’re that good.      As some surveys mention; It’s good to mix tube iterations, even if the same brand, which retains the strengths of both, while not emphasizing any weaknesses.      I’ve tried everything mentioned (the top thirteen), in various combinations.     In combo, with the T-S, the best were the tall bottle, metal or black based, Sylvania 6SN7W and Ken-Rad (bottom-gettered), from the 40’s and this Sylvania: https://tubeworldexpress.com/products/vt-231-jan-chs-6sn7gt-sylvania-1944-v1?_pos=1&_sid=79a7fa3be&_ss=r, which gives me the best mid-Bass slam, without coloring the Midrange.      Those four tubes, in whatever position, offer the best sound stage, in width and depth, of any tried, in my system, not to mention, REALISM (ie: tone, dynamics, etc).      I’m staying stocked up, on the others, for when I’m out of (or can’t afford) round plates.      If by, "musical", you mean a warm, tubey, sound; try the other top tubes, on the above mentioned survey.      They all have good presentation, but- were a bit too warm, for my taste.      More opinions, which (of course) vary, per system/ear:   https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-reference-6sn7-thread.117677/    and:  http://digitalaudiodirections.blogspot.com/2012/06/6sn7-tube-comparison-part-1.html   Enjoy your journey!
Try some old Red Base RCA 5692 - the very best 6SN7 there ever was. The go for about $100 on average 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F174260219898

These are what your looking for  - just as an example - no affiliation with seller - proceed with the usual caution 

Good Listening
Peter 

Today I just happened to again watch Roger Modjeski’s talk at the 2018 Burning Amp Festival. In that talk, he discusses, amongst many other topics (always coming back to the seminal RCA tube manuals), pre-amp tubes (though he was much more interested in power amp design). If you haven’t yet watched it, do yourself a huge favour and do so. You will then understand why his passing is such a loss---his knowledge of tubes and wisdom regarding designs using them was unparalleled.

If you care enough to invest a tiny amount of effort, the talk can be easily found. Go onto YouTube, search for "Roger Modjeski", and you will immediately be offered the video.

Speaking of Roger: Do you why his AudioCircle Forum was closed down? Ted Denney of Synergistic Research didn’t like Roger dissing magic fuses. Coward punk.