RCA 6SN7 grey bottles

@billpete , Thanks for your share as I don’t use that particular tube. To the Op , I would definitely prefer a better looking pair especially with equipment that has them prominently displayed. I did most of my tube purchasing about 10 years ago when I got back into 2 channel and tubes. At the time I was able to try many brands due to lower cost and stock up on the ones I preferred. Unfortunately for me the tube preamp I acquired recently takes 8 - 6H30p tubes and nos are $$$. If I were you and you like the gear and those tubes, buy a nice matching pair and keep those for spares. Maybe I’ll see you at Tube Addicts Anonymous . 😆 Merry Christmas , Mike B.

@buellrider97 Of course, I'd be happier if they did look exactly alike but I can live with it if they sound good. I'll keep getting more over time and if I end up with some that look and test exactly alike, they will end up together. Finding these old tubes is like a treasure hunt. I study as much as I can about them and do most of my "treasure hunting" on Ebay. I've had a couple of flops but for the money, I have done well there. I've bought from as far away as the Ukraine and had no problems. Most of the time, the tubes have been as good or better than what was advertised. I mostly make up my own pairs from odd lots or singles but I did buy the one pair of Kenrads as an NOS pair and they were/are as advertised. Finding them is half the fun for me. 

@buellrider97  Thanks.  Great feedback.  I am surprised that this pair is offered by Brent Jessee.  Didn’t think he’d sell such a mixed pair, unless he’s really low in stock for those tubes.  There are much better looking pairs on eBay.  🤷🏻‍♂️

@billpete  Good point about hunting and gathering. 

Brent Jesse is a good source. A few months ago I purchased a pair of Tekefunken 12AX7’s curve matched @ $318 delivered. They look great but didn’t offer a sonic improvement over the other two brands I had. That was my fault as I’m a Tekefunken fan boy. I didn’t consider returning them as my new ( to me ) pre amp lacks a phono stage. So I’ll just save em for future use. My tube drawer has about $3-4k in tubes that cost less than now. Most barely used. I saved all the original packaging and invoices. I keep track of the hours and can always get my money back. I lack a pre that takes large signal tubes which is sad because I’ve read they sound better. Regards , Mike B. Some years back I purchased quite a few tubes on EBay from sellers that had huge volume and basically searched and cleared out old warehouses. One was a radio supply that moved from SoCal to Las Vegas. I’m leery of individual sellers especially foreign. Other reputable dealers like Vintage Tube, Antique Radio Supply in Arizona and Tube Museum I’ve had good luck with. Prices are crazy and most people aren’t offering anything below market. Regards , Mike B.