The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[nick20]

Originally Posted by Von Soundcard

That is a hollow consumerist and atechnical viewpoint

You should know how long your gear lasts - along with how you can make it last longer and perform better. If an amp is made to obey all limitations layed by the producer there is no reason the tube will die sooner. I'm not at all sure age plays such a large role in top quality tubes, and if it does is should be easily quantifiable by an expert.
The other thing is you can sometimes find very hard some tubes you like. Change is not always the best thing - if it's not broke why would you mess with it ? So you need to know well in advance how large a stock of your favorite tubes to make.

The best estimate of the actual life-span should come from a professional electronics engineer who has worked with these exact tubes - old NOS 6SN7 - and therefore knows exactly how they behave over time (which is what I've asked for all along). A general life expectancy figure from the manufacturer helps too.

If you find someone, please share..

[blubliss]

Has anyone tried the 1578, a Russian variant of the 6SN7? A tube seller i trust is telling me they are better than the Tung-Sol round plates.

[nick20]

Originally Posted by blubliss

Has anyone tried the 1578, a Russian variant of the 6SN7? A tube seller i trust is telling me they are better than the Tung-Sol round plates.

How much are they?

[blubliss]

I think he told me $200/pr but i can't find the email now.

[nick20]

Originally Posted by blubliss

I think he told me $200/pr but i can't find the email now.

Wow, pricey.


Are these it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-6SN7-6N8S-1...QQcmdZViewItem

[blubliss]

Not sure if that is it. Haven't seen pics yet. He sells on Audiogon. Price could be less too. Certainly a lot less than the Tung-Sol roundplates.

[nick20]

Originally Posted by blubliss

Not sure if that is it. Haven't seen pics yet. He sells on Audiogon. Price could be less too. Certainly a lot less than the Tung-Sol roundplates.

Well, if they were THAT good, or better, don't you think there would be more discussion on these tubes? I mean it seems every tube has been tried.. except these.


Here ya go:

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?...highlight=1578

[Skylab]

Originally Posted by nick20

Wow, pricey.


Are these it?

RARE!!! 6SN7 = 6N8S = 1578 Metal base Lot of 2 NIB 1954 - eBay (item 150271746477 end time Jul-23-08 05:09:22 PDT)

NO. Those tubes are a FLAT RIP-OFF. Just a basic Russian 6N8S with a metal base. No better than the black-base ones you can get for $1 each.

The *actual* 1578 has a totally different plate structure - see here:

RARE! 1 USSR TUBE 1578=6SN7 Unique military development - eBay (item 260261138109 end time Jul-19-08 21:00:00 PDT)

That one IS a 1578. Interesting tube. Some people think it's the best sounding 6SN7 there is - others (including me) were less than impressed. Personally - I wouldn't spend the jack for one. RCA, Ken-Rad, or Sylvania VT-231's all beat the pants off the 1578 IMHO.

[nick20]

Originally Posted by Skylab

NO. Those tubes are a FLAT RIP-OFF. Just a basic Russian 6N8S with a metal base. No better than the black-base ones you can get for $1 each.

The *actual* 1578 has a totally different plate structure - see here:

RARE! 1 USSR TUBE 1578=6SN7 Unique military development - eBay (item 260261138109 end time Jul-19-08 21:00:00 PDT)

That one IS a 1578. Interesting tube. Some people think it's the best sounding 6SN7 there is - others (including me) were less than impressed. Personally - I wouldn't spend the jack for one. RCA, Ken-Rad, or Sylvania VT-231's all beat the pants off the 1578 IMHO.

Gotcha. That was the first thing that came up, so I linked it..

[blubliss]

Thanks for the info. One guy in that thread liked them a lot. My seller did say they are microphonic, but i don't think that's a problem for me. Anyway, i have a total warranty with him, can return anything, so it's not that risky.

I am interested in hearing from those who have heard these tubes.