Reliable Sources for 6SN7 Tubes

Not the cheapest but has pretty good stock if you check in on him.
www.tubeseller.com
I would check here and ebay.

Andy at Vintage Tube Services.

The best tubes. Period.

Only downside is his selection may be limited.

I bought from Upscale audio. A large selection at reasonable prices

Try the new Tung-Sol 6SN7 re-issues from Russia. You can get them at any of the big tube-sellers like Tube Depot. I have had then in my Supratek for about 40 hours of on-time so far and I LOVE them. In my system, they have most of the dynamics and slam of the Electroharmonix tubes, but with a much smoother and more accurate treble. By far the best new issue 6SN7s in my opinion.

As Ait says, the re-issue TS now being sold are superb. It is identical in construction to the EH but is much improved. In fact, I like these as much as the syl 1952 bad boys. Smooth with great extension. I got my matched pair from BOI audio works, good price and they are very quiet.

Roger Modjeski at Music Reference/Ram Labs. He tests and matches all the tubes, and it makes a huge difference. They made my Atma-Sphere MA-1s sound so much better than other tubes.

I second Andy at vintagetubeservices.com He is great to deal with.

Andy at Vintage Tube Services is second to none. It's best to reach him by phone, 616-454-3467.

How do you get Andy to answer his phone?

He needs a cell phone.

Thanks to all. With these recommendations, I am sure to find something suitable.

Neal

Does Roger (RAM) carry 6sn7s? If he did/does, you are unlikely to find better matched tubes (well Andy VTS too).

While you are shopping for 6SN7's: Don't miss the Sylvania CHS, VT-231, bottom getter tube from the 40's. It's extension(without grain), transparency, liquid mid-range, slam and imaging are far better than anything manufactured today. They look like this: (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Sylvania-Type-VT-231-6SN7GT-Driver-Tubes_W0QQitemZ150246460580QQihZ005QQcategoryZ73380QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) They are way less expensive than the best NOS 6SN7's(ie: TungSol round plate/bottom getter/6SN7GT or the Sylvania 6SN7W/tall bottle), but don't give up give up much to them. Just a few feet in the sound stage depth department, but back wall still goes way back in the right equipment. The Ken-Rad JAN CKR, VT-231 bottom getter is another excellent and inexpensive NOS tube that won't cost you a second mortgage. If you love your music: They are well worth seeking out. If you enjoy a more euphonic presentation: The RCA VT-231/JAN CRC, bottom getter is very nice tube. I agree that Upscale is an excellent place from which to purchase tubes(though he doesn't have the bottom getter Sylvanias right now). (http://www.upscaleaudio.com/view_category.asp?cat=93) Note that those recommendations only include one top gettered tube(the 6SN7W). The top gettered variants of the other tubes don't perform nearly as well.