The Reference 6SN7 Thread - Page 17

I don't think the new production EH gold pins are any different than the black bottoms, other than the pins.  That's interesting, as that's the most negative impression I've heard on the EHes.  Hmm, looks like I need to keep looking then.  That's unfortunate about hearing the possible weakness in the low-end, as I'm looking for a tube with good low-end reproduction.

Any suggestions on any new production 6SN7 to match with Psvane or Treasure 300Bs?  I read negative comments on the Sophia Electrics, and people were pretty unanimous on preferring the Sylvania 6SN7GTA and GTBs.

I've used some older 50's Sylvania GTA's w/ the heavy chrome domes and they can be nice but are analytical.  Less precise than the Treasures but better balanced overall for my setup.  The current Tung Sol GTB's can be pretty decent and add some low end body w/o too much compromise but I've cherry picked quite a few and left the rest to sit w/ the EH's.  I haven't been too impressed w/ consistency of the new Russian stuff in my limited experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian 

Seems like the majority of people feel the new production Electro Harmonix 6SN7 tubes have better bass and overall precision in the sound than the Shuguang Treasure 6SN7 at a fraction of the price.  The EHes also seem to compare well with the NOS Sylvania and Tung Sol 6SN7s.

I'd go with the EH tubes, they are reliable quiet and not too expensive. They don't sound bad, and they don't really have any charictaristic that stands out. Rather neutral, not terribly exciting, but acceptable sound.  

I've had the Shuguang Treasures on 2 occasions in 2 different types of components, and don't like them. They have a big rich sound, and may impress you at first until you realize they have all the dynamic punch of a sponge. Soft & soggy. 

The "new" Tung-Sol reissues I did not like either. Cheap enough and quiet, but edgy, gritty and irritating. Pulled back out of the system within a couple days. 
Anybody want them? I'll sell them cheap. 

I wasn't wild about the Treasures, I thought they sounded good but were overpriced.  The EH 6SN7 on the other hand is a disaster IMO.  Actually sounds BAD.  Had them in my Cary SLP-05 and it's a good thing I had a bunch of other 6SN7's to use or I would never have known what they Cary can be.  Even the cheapest Sylvania 6SN7GTB sounds much better than the EH, and are actually cheaper! Heck, many vintage Russian 6H8C's sound better than the EH, and those can be had for $2-3 per tube.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

I wasn't wild about the Treasures, I thought they sounded good but were overpriced.  The EH 6SN7 on the other hand is a disaster IMO.  Actually sounds BAD.  Had them in my Cary SLP-05 and it's a good thing I had a bunch of other 6SN7's to use or I would never have known what they Cary can be.  Even the cheapest Sylvania 6SN7GTB sounds much better than the EH, and are actually cheaper! Heck, many vintage Russian 6H8C's sound better than the EH, and those can be had for $2-3 per tube.

Treasures are definitely overpriced.

So far my preference has been NOS Sylvania tubes, but I don't know where you find them priced cheaper than an EH (Let me know your secret, I won't tell).

I also like the RCA Grey glass if you need a little darker sound.   

Hmm... so if I'm trying to keep a quad of 6SN7s below $200ish, my best options are probably the NOS Sylvania, and as a lower priority, the new production EHes?

Are there any options to look at in that price band, or even better, as part of new production stock?  There seem to be a lot of great 300B options, but the 6SN7 cupboard seems more bare, and I still haven't figured out to choose a complementary set of 6SN7 and 300Bs.

I can go higher pricewise if needed, but I'm probably putting most of my tube budget towards Psvane or Treasure 300Bs.

There are bunch of 6SN7 quads on Audiogon there are pretty nice tubes including sylvanias, ratheyons and baldwins (sylvanias).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian 

From some of the posts earlier in this thread, as well as various impressions on the Treasures on other forums.

 

Aside from the Grant Fidelity testimonials, yours is one of the few comments I've seen that say the Treasures are both cleaner and more extended.  One of the main complaints I've read about the Treasures is that they don't reproduce certain frequencies that well.  At least from what others have said the Treasures seem good if there are particular imbalances in the system.  The Tung Sols seem to be well-favored, but I'd prefer new production over NOS.

 

I'll probably need to pick up a quad of 6SN7s soon, so I'm looking for something with a good price-performance ratio (with good soundstaging, bass, and transparency), and is reliable.

One of their issues is that they can do this too well for some...and sound too clean and in turn to some clinical. They are better at extended frequencies over my NOS Sylvania 6SN7s, RCA VT-231 Smoked Glass and are very close to my Sylvania 5692 brown base driver tubes (but in the end the 5692s are my favourite driver tubes with my WA22).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd R 

Treasures are definitely overpriced.

So far my preference has been NOS Sylvania tubes, but I don't know where you find them priced cheaper than an EH (Let me know your secret, I won't tell).

I also like the RCA Grey glass if you need a little darker sound.   

Agreed 100%.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dminches 

There are bunch of 6SN7 quads on Audiogon there are pretty nice tubes including sylvanias, ratheyons and baldwins (sylvanias).

 

Yup, and there are regularly quads of Sylvanias on Audiogon for less than new EH quads cost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab 

 

Yup, and there are regularly quads of Sylvanias on Audiogon for less than new EH quads cost.

 

And they sound quite a bit better too.

I appreciate the Audiogon heads-up.  I've only checked for Treasures and Sophia Electrics on Audiogon, and didn't really think to check for less fancypants tubes :)

I saw the "6H8C - Russian designation for a 6SN7 with a higher plate voltage. [PHOTO HERE]"  link is dead, I made some pictures with my 6H8C including the box and the datashet

http://www.apcc.tk/photo-gallery/category/8-6sn7-tube