Most Musical 6NS7 tube for a Preamp?

Thank you gentlemen for the education and experienced commentary.
This is why I enjoy Audiogon. 

I am trying to learn about 6SN7 tubes and even though I erred in the Subject line as 6NS7 no one felt the need to mention it. 

I am also shopping for a preamp to go with the Pass XA25 that is
supposed to arrive Friday. Input Impedance 47k.

Must haves include:
-Remote
-6SN7 tube
-Most musicality/$

Must not have:
-the words "headphone" or "schiit" attached
-over 5 years old and one owner.

A true bonus:
-trial period

Preamps I have recently owned:
-Audible Illusions L3A-Only dislike was the sound
with or without it seemed the same. Shouldn't a
preamp improve the sound or is that a myth?
 

Brands of Intrigue that fit my $3k budget:

-Supratek
-LTA
-deHavilland
-Audio Note-(likely too high even used)

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge 
and providing me excellent guidance.

BK,

What do those upgrades approximately cost parts and labor?

Thanks for tube tips too.

Have you any first hand knowledge of the LTA or Supratek products?

Wow you guys are a true fountain of knowledge!! Thank you!!

-Kara Chaffee of deHavilland is taking a sabatical
currently with no know date of return.

-The newer LTA that was available on USAudio sold today. Coach?

-Auric is a dedicated purist who does not seem to do remotes.

Coach-I will be waiting anxiously to hear your thoughts on the
new LTA coming your way!! Meantime I will read up on the battery
model.

Are there any others with experience regarding the Dodd Audio Battery preamp? 
Battery power intrigues me. However I need more information
from those who have used this preamp. 

Emil-Thanks for the ideas. I am reading all the reviews now.
I think I am leaning toward the deHavilland product as a better
way to reach the sound I seek. 

Any Audio Note users ?

I sold my AI L3.
I want a preamp that makes everything sound better not just be invisible.
Is this unreasonable? 

From what I am hearing its down to three choices:

-New Supratek Chardonnay $2-$2,500
-New or used deHavilland Ultra $2,500 + or -.
-Used Audio Note M2 $2,500 or so.

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences
with the gear I need to decide on.

Thank you to all for the valuable, informed counsel.

patrick- good confirmation on the newer, Chinese version.

mca-ny- which speakers do you run?

Atma- My reentry to hifi in 2017 has been guided by a now friend
and longtime audiophile. Your comments help to explain why he
put me on the 6NS7 for line stage use.

Great help All!!

Low,

I appreciate your remembering an earlier inquiry. I have found this
forum very helpful in the past for either confirming my direction or
exposing options I knew nothing of.

I do not possess the vocabulary or years of experience to be
able to so eloquently express what rolls off your tongue.

When I say I am in pursuit of musicality I mean I want to
feel the music move me. I really can't describe it any differently.
I do not have that skill set.

Thank you.

Preamp finalists:

1. Cary SLP 5 -used $3-$3.5k
2. Supratek Chardonnay -New $2k
3. deHavilland Ultraverve- used $2k but upgrades required
4. Dodd Battery -used $1.2k -Something says forget this craziness

atma- Sorry. How much is the MP 1's retail? (That is the 2 chasis, 6NS7
model correct)?

I ended up recently selling my XA 25 and replacing it with the INT25
which is en route to me as I write. 
After much consideration I felt the same maker match was the 
most prudent way to go.
Of course I lost an avenue to tube sound.
I do also want a DAC upgrade from my Oppo 205
so I hope to land an R2R Day with a tube or two inside.

Thanks to everyone who provided their experiences.