Question for BAT 6H30 tube owners


I'm a long way from needing to replace the tubes in my BAT pre, but wanted to ask about the cost differential in buying them. I've seen them for $50 per tube and then the MUCH higher cost that BAT or one their retailers charges. I've read that Victor has a large stock of the 6H30's..are they different or a better tube than buying for the lower price? Thanks for your thoughts and/or experience.
classical1
Hello,

Please check with the fine folks from BAT on this. BAT did buy up the entire stock of the NOS 6h30 tubes. These are called the "BAT Super Tubes". They sell these with their new SE" gear and they are available to costumers at a premium price. BAT also sells other 6h30 tubes that are available from other sources. These are much cheaper. The "BAT NOS Super Tube" does sound better and it's a personal choice if you feel it's worth the extra money.

Good luck,
Tom
I spoke today with Victor Komenko of BAT about this. He mentioned that they are almost out of stock of the NOS 6H30s and would shortly be converting to new production. He stated that his NOS versions are also available in the general market, and are designated 6H30PI-DR. He also mentioned that there is some junk out there to be avoided. He is unaware of the gold-grid version-- his versions have white grids. I can report that the Sovtek -EB version I acquired from Tubestore.com for my VK75SE sounds fine. So there it is.

Dave
Electro Harmonics makes the gold pin version of the 6H30. Works fine with BAT.
Even the REX does not come with the NOS DR tubes, only the Sovtek current production 6H30. The remaining DR tubes that Victor has will be sold by BAT separately for whatever the market will bear.