6SN7 Tube Addicts - Page 196

Thanks everyone for the tubes suggestions. I see that almost everyone recommends the Sylvania 6SN7WGT brown base. I have seen these all over the map as far as price goes. Can you guys tell me what a fair ballpark price is for a pair of used ones that test really well. I'm not a big stickler that they have to be completely new and unused, and would actually rather to pay less for slightly used ones. Also, are there any other tricks to look for when seeing this tube on ebay for example? You guys are the best.

As for the addiction, and no hope comments, all I can say is that the best defense for my budding addiction (or lack thereof /denial) is a wife and full-time daycare. If anyone is in desperate need of an intervention, I can ship both (the kid as well) in exchange for your best tubes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman59 

The ones I love are my Sylavania 6SN7WGT Brown Base, Chrome Top and short bottle. they are very dynamic with great response in all frequencies.

The Hitachis are the same at the ITT (I think) and are nothing special in my opinion.  I have not heard the mouse ears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid-Fi 

Thanks for spending the time to do the comparisons. Right now with my setup, I'm definitely trying to avoid "V" shape, or other unevenly emphasized, sound signatures so knowing that about the Ken-Rad is helpful.

 

With my RCA VT 231, my setup has a very full, warm, and inviting sound, but the treble region seems a little too recessed to me on my setup. In other words, my RCA VT 231 has the same excellent strengths as my HD 650 (lush mids, full bass), yet the same weakness (recessed or "veiled" treble) at least with my headphones. Together, they are very immersive and enganging. However, its distracting to me to know that one part of the frequency response is not convincing.

 

Until I get a flagship headphone like HD 800 that is more balanced, I am looking to somewhat counter my HD 650s character by bringing out the treble and taming the mid-bass hump. So far, only old-stock Sylvania's really seem to do this well.

 

It's too bad my Sylvania GTA doesn't mesh well with my USAF 596 rectifier. The RCA just sings with the 596 and makes it truly energetic, enganging, and immsersive beyond what my Sophia Princess can do. Hopefully, I'll find something wiht the 596 that provides the same engagement as the RCA, but accomplishes countering my HD 650 like my Syvlania GTA does with the Princess.

 

Thanks again!

 

You might want to try Tung Sol and Hytron out.  Neither is warm like the RCA is but they are more open and less congested sounding.  The Tung Sols are the reference for neutral and are very extended, the Hytron has great midrange resolution and a bit more polite on the top without sounding dead up there the way the RCAs can.  The Sylvanias are sweeter sounding but have the sense of air and space that the RCA and Ken-Rads lack.  The Ken-Rad is an interesting tube for sure, very good low level detail, but it has a congested midrange with an audible frequency suckout in the upper mids.

Actually, now that I think about it a Brimar might just be your ticket.  It has a lot of the qualities of an RCA but is a bit more open and resolving.

I found the Brimar CV1988 with black glass to be way too warm.  I thought it lacked detail.  I really did not like that tube in my setup.

I don't find the RCA VT231s to be that lacking in the high end.  And, I like its detail.  It isn't as nice as the TS BGRPs but it is a nice, cheaper substitute.  YMMV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifimanrookie 

I have a matched pair of those in my 337 at the moment..

The Darkvoice 337 doesn't use 6SN7GTs!

The 5693 is a variant of 6SJ7 while the 5692 is a variant of 6SN7GT. These are totally unrelated tubes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oskari 

 

The Darkvoice 337 doesn't use 6SN7GTs!

 

The 5693 is a variant of 6SJ7 while the 5692 is a variant of 6SN7GT. These are totally unrelated tubes.

The 336 does and only one, making tube rolling so so easy and fun and addictive, which inevitably leads to expensive even if I am rolling only singles.

Been trying out different tubes recently with my different various-tubes purchases off ebay, but the Sylvania GT is staying in its slot. Sounds good enough to my ears to roll it out and find another one in...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosgr63 

Thanks for putting the record straight, I was referring to 6SN7 tubes.

No problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrAdrian 

The 336 does and only one

As does the 336SE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oskari 

 

No problem.

 

 

As does the 336SE.

Woot mullard tube!

I use like I said, the Sylvania GT with ladder plates, and a tung sol '6AS7' with 5998 internal structures... Got it for ~$40? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifimanrookie 

I meant a pair of tung sol 6 sj7gt mesh plates as driver tubes..just read it on the tube itself..my apologies....tubes are sooo confusing.

I was worried you might try 6SN7GTs in your amp.