What is the best 6SN7 driver tube?

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.

I've tried Brimars, Sylvania green letter & VT 231, etc. The Ken-Rad JAN matched black glass VT231's that I have gone with in my pre line section are, together with the WE300B, the best tube I've heard overall. About $125/pr...enormously musical, spacious, dark and mysterious with the best bass, bar none. That is,if you can find them... The last Sylvania 6SN7W metal base CHS that I saw went for $300. Ouch.