You mentioned that you like a "tubey" sound. By purchasing the SE version you will be restricted to the sound of the 6H30(6H30P, 6H30P-DR/EV/EB) tube, which I've never heard described as "tubey". If you were to opt for the VK-75, you would have a plethora of alternatives, IE: NOS RCA VT-231, black plates/Raytheon VT-231, flat black plates/National Union VT-231(all 40's bottom getters) which all have a warmer, "tubier" presentation(which is why I didn't keep them in my amps) while still delivering excellent imaging, dynamics, bass extension, detail and timbre(without glare or stridency). Here are some other options/descriptions from the 6SN7 family of tubes: (http://home.att.net/~chimeraone/6sn7sound.html)
BAT VK75 vs. BAT VK75SE - which is more euphonic?
I'm thinking about getting a BAT VK75SE. But I like a tuby sound. At the same time, I like a very, very clean sound in the top...as little distortion as possible. So I'm debating--might I like a straight, non-SE version better? Might it be a bit warmer, a bit softer on the highs (good things in my book, given that most things seem a bit too bright for me). Or would the non-SE version be a bit muddy, and not so clean in the top? I'm coming at this from an ARC VT100 mkiii that I use on Harbeth M30's, always in the 4 ohm tap, because the 8 ohm tap is just too bright for me. (I guess that the VK75 has 4 and 8 ohm taps also?)
Who has compared these two closely and can give me some advice?
Who has compared these two closely and can give me some advice?