[AllanS]

Thanks much guys. I’ll take a minute to get the twist outta my knickers and move on.

[JackD]

Until the war in the Ukraine the 6N8S was the standard isssue tube with Supratek preamps and many owners used them for years.  I listened to the pair that came with my first Supratek in 2019 for a bit and found it acceptable and better than the current production tubes I had heard.  As I had a healthy stash of 6SN7 tubes I had aquired in the early 2000's I switched over to what were much better tubes.  I have used them again as driver tubes in a Don Sachs DS-2.  A good emergency tube to have around in case of a tube failure. But no they won't hold a chance against my 40's Sylvania's or Raytheon's or RCA's nor the 50's Tung Sol's.  A tube to try if you find a pair fo a good price are the late 50's-early 60's GE side getter.

[AllanS]

A tube to try if you find a pair fo a good price…

Isn’t this how it starts?

If a Chardonnay had presented itself a couple of years ago I might have my own modest stash by now. I’d been kicking around the idea of a tube pre but Mick’s “Guide to Buying a Tube Preamp” was my introduction to the discussion of tubes in general and the 6SN7 specifically.  I had no idea of the 6N8S history with Supratek.
Thanks Jack. 

I’m still a bit blown away that modern equipment and enthusiasts rely on actual components 60+ years old and that there are still enough around to keep it going.

[Rusty Jefferson]

....Maybe I'll just order with 6N8S and listen to them for a bit as Rusty suggested before swapping in the 6SN7.  $50 is hardly throw away but maybe they're doing me a favor.  I've pissed away a hell of a lot more for worse reasons.

Yes, it's an easy/good decision to have a baseline to listen to. It will also make it easier to determine the improvement or lack thereof when you install the NOS tubes with consideration to the added expense. If you don't have a baseline, you're flying blind.

Hopefully, you'll share your opinions about this, it may help others in a similar situation. 

[FullRangeMan]

Best place to buy Russian tubes is GSTube, they have 6N8S (novosibisk or Foton) now for $3 and 1578 Metal Base for $45.
https://www.gstube.com/catalog/?key=6n8s&submit=Find

[JackD]

Allan

Unfortunately with the aggresive return of Mick's cancer he has stopped production of new preamps altogether. From now on it will be used only.  At one time I owned both the Chardonnay and the more expensive Cabernet.  In the end I preferred the sound of the "cheaper" model and sold the Cabernet to a friend. There are still a couple of small boutique builders building 6SN7 or 6SL7 preamps. Among them are Erhardt Audio, Aric Audio, LTA, Tubes4HiFi and the soon to be two Spatial models.  These are the type of companies I prefer to deal with.

[AllanS]

Hopefully, you'll share your opinions about this, it may help others in a similar situation. 

Absolutely will.  I’m just hoping to have something to share. 
So far subtle differences are lost on me.  I’m guessing if I don’t hear a difference between the stock tube and either 6SN7 then I’m unlikely to hear a difference between the 6SN7.  Time will tell.  If FedEx is true to their word the burn in starts Sat!

Unfortunately with the aggresive return of Mick's cancer he has stopped production of new preamps altogether. From now on it will be used only.  At one time I owned both the Chardonnay and the more expensive Cabernet.  In the end I preferred the sound of the "cheaper" model and sold the Cabernet to a friend. There are still a couple of small boutique builders building 6SN7 or 6SL7 preamps. Among them are Erhardt Audio, Aric Audio, LTA, Tubes4HiFi and the soon to be two Spatial models.  These are the type of companies I prefer to deal with.

That is unfortunate.  I’m sorry to hear that he’s ill.  His amps were already pretty scarce and don’t last long when they do pop up.
In addition to Tubes4HiFi / Don Sachs DS2, I’ve also toyed with Cary Audio (they’re literally 10 minutes from me), Maple Tree, and Icon.  There is definitely an appeal to the boutique builders. 
In the end I couldn’t justify the additional cost and to be honest I’ve become a bit of a Schiit fan boy. I’ve been using a Lyr+ headphone amp as a pre for longer than I can remember and liking it.

[JackD]

I'm really not familiar with the Cary gear since Dennis left. I think they are still producing some of his legacy products but if I remember correctly the gain on the preamps is pretty high so not a universal fit for a lot of amps.  I had forgot about the Icon Audio units.  If SE only works for you then the LA4 Signature is supposed to be a special piece.  I admit that up to a certain price point I like to try different preamps and some have worked out and some haven't.  I've got an Aric Audio Motherlode XL on order but it won't be here for a couple of months yet.  Never owned or even heard a piece of Schitt gear though I have read a lot about them over the years.