What is the best 6SN7 driver tube?

I am not an NOS tube aficianado. But I will say that in the output driver section of my c-j MV-55 power amp, I have tried various old American 6SN7's taken from my guitar amps,plus some originally store-branded NOS ones (probably of RCA manufacture) that I ordered from ATSI. Compared to the new Sovteks at $6 a pop (ATSI price), the differences were too small to worry over in my system (playing through Thiel CS2 2's). Much less to choose from here than in output or input tube selection (where I actually tend to disfavor Sovteks). I can only conclude that either the new tube is competent, or that in the driver position of this amp, at least, the choice is not critical. Whatever the case, they've been reliable, and are certainly cheap enough that it's painless to keep 'em in "to-spec" condition through regular replacement. But as you can tell, I'm one to avoid NOS anxiety wherever I can away with it - I find that doing so helps me to relax and just enjoy my music

Edle: Sorry, I just went to Audioasylum.com and the search feature will be down until Monday or so (they are re-vamping the site). When it comes up again, try searching under your specific amp and the type of tube and you should find many other user/owner comments on various combos (granted that you do not own an oddball one such as I do). Many of the posters will also have their systems posted in a separate area of the site, which will help you to understand where they are coming from. This is second best to trying the tubes yourself, but is a usefull aid.

Hi,
The following are worth tracking down:
33S30(The absolute best,but almost impossible to find).
Syl. VT-231 metal base
TungSol VT-231 dark glass round plates
KenRad VT-231 dark glass

Good Luck,Raanan
P.S. Try searching the old dejanews groups on the Google Beta feature.

Reylon- Great tube choices! However, I don't believe that Sylvania ever made the metal base VT-231. These were 6SN7A or 6SN7W metal base of the JAN-CHS- variety. Both the Tung-Sol and the KenRad VT-231 dark glass are excellent tubes as well; and though a little hard to find, are certainly less expensive than the metal base Sylv.

The last pair of Ken-Rad's that I tracked on Ebay went to Mr Blume of Coincident fame. He must like them in his setup, unless they were a gift for someone else. Yes, I am a busy body, so don't start.