Quicksilver and 6SN7 pre

kt88, I had a Belles 20A for a while and it is a bit dark sounding, more so with some NOS tubes like RCA blackplates. The pre just lack the top end sparkle imo. I have also had various 6sn7 preamps because I like this tube, big open sound. The AES AE-3 DJH for example sounds more open to me but does not have the strong bass your 20A has.

If you want open/detailed sound(without glare) with 6SN7's: Try a NOS pair of 40's TungSol JAN CTL/VT-231/6SN7GT, bottom gettered, round plates(not the mouse eared ones) or 40's Sylvania JAN CHS/6SN7W, tall bottles(the short ones stink). The Sylvania JAN CHS/6SN7GT and Ken-Rad JAN CKR VT-231's (both bottom getters also)and are really nice too, just slightly less depth to the sound stage, and not quite as dynamic. Here's a pic of those tubes: (http://java.audioasylum.com/ca/ca.jtp?ca=3466) If you do find some- Be certain the are screened for extremely low noise.

BTW: That's not me selling those!