[Renexx]

I am looking for a new pair of 6SN7 style tubes for my TorAudio Balanced AMP. Currently it uses a matched pair of 6N8S but one of the tubes went bad so there is a lot of noise coming from the amp.

I am looking at getting one of the PSVANE Globe style 6SN7 pairs to replace the stock russian tubes. Like the 6SN7-SE(Black), CV181-SE, COSSOR 6SN7, 6SN7-BE.
The other option I was looking into is the Linlai E-6SN7.

Has anyone tried any of these tubes?

I'm very disappointed with the psvane gold socket stock tubes for my Euphoria amp. They are not worth the money, they only look good.

Get yourself a nice set of NOS 6sn7gt tubes and treat your amp with it.

 

[Lickumms]

I'm very disappointed with the psvane gold socket stock tubes for my Euphoria amp. They are not worth the money, they only look good.

Get yourself a nice set of NOS 6sn7gt tubes and treat your amp with it.

Which PSVANE did you try? Like a Sovtek or an actually NOS pair of 6sn7gt?

 

[Renexx]

Which PSVANE did you try? Like a Sovtek or an actually NOS pair of 6sn7gt?

https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/psvane-cv181-t-mii/2/6sn7gt-gemachtes-paar
These sound just plain boring. For the price you can buy a nice pair of Sylvania vt-231 or a Sylvania 6sn7w. Many choices and you will enjoy them all. Just don't buy 6sn7gtb tubes, those will dissapoint.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/28478285346...XBXD7pgQWm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
or
https://www.ebay.de/itm/28478286870...XBXD7pgQWm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Lickumms]

https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/psvane-cv181-t-mii/2/6sn7gt-gemachtes-paar
These sound just plain boring. For the price you can buy a nice pair of Sylvania vt-231 or a Sylvania 6sn7w for the same price. Many choices and you will enjoy them all. Just don't buy 6sn7gtb tubes, those will dissapoint.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/28478285346...XBXD7pgQWm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
or
https://www.ebay.de/itm/28478286870...XBXD7pgQWm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I own a matched pair, 3 hole version, of the Sylvania 6sn7gt

 

[Renexx]

I own a matched pair, 3 hole version, of the Sylvania 6sn7gt

You mean a pair of Sylvania 53' bad Boys ? They sound different to the ones mentioned by me before.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/28479865128...XBXD7pgQWm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Like these?
These a superb tubes. More punchy and bold sounding than very neutral 6sn7w and the airy warm sounding vt-231.

Your prepared well for your TOR amp with a nice pair of tubes like that.
Don't waste money on Chinese or russian new product tubes.

 

[Lickumms]

You mean a pair of Sylvania 53' bad Boys ? They sound different to the ones mentioned by me before.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/28479865128...XBXD7pgQWm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Like these?
These a superb tubes. More punchy and bold sounding than very neutral 6sn7w and the airy warm sounding vt-231.

I think so. Here is a picture of them. Only 1 is labeled as a Sylvania an the other 2 were bought probably 10 years ago in a lot that listed them as Bad Boys.

 

[Lickumms]

I also own 3 Ken-Rad Vt-231 that I don't know how to test to find a matched pair.

I own a bottlehead crack. Would it be possible to plug each KEn-Rad into that and test a voltage output on the headphone plug to find a matched pair in the Ken-Rads?

 

[Renexx]

Many sellers label their Sylvania tubes as "bad boys" these days. They were only made a few weeks/months in start of 1953' so quite rare. I can't tell if 2holes versions sound the same.
I have a Sylvania chrome domes pair that sounds exactly like Sylvania vt-231.

To measure your tubes you can ask your local vintage Radio Store. They useally have a tube tester and provide that service.
You don't need a matched pair if your tor amp has an auto bias function.

There is no date code on your Sylvania tubes ?

 

[Lickumms]

Many sellers label their Sylvania tubes as "bad boys" these days. They were only made a few weeks/months in start of 1953' so quite rare. I can't tell if 2holes versions sound the same.
I have a Sylvania chrome domes pair that sounds exactly like Sylvania vt-231.

To measure your tubes you can ask your local vintage Radio Store. They useally have a tube tester and provide that service.
You don't need a matched pair if your tor amp has an auto bias function.

There is no date code on your Sylvania tubes ?

Yes, there are date codes. The one is kinda hard to read. I'm fairly new to the 6sn7 tube game so I don't really know what the numbers mean. Getting the tubes tested iis kinda struggle for me since I live in the middle of nowhere on a farm. The closest tube tester i found near me is about 400miles away. Unless there is one in Winnipeg, I guess I could cross the border if there is one there then it would only be about 150 mile drive.

 

[Renexx]

Yes, there are date codes. The one is kinda hard to read. I'm fairly new to the 6sn7 tube game so I don't really know what the numbers mean.

312 might be the manufacturer s code in this case. Westinghouse did just relabel Sylvania and RCA tubes in that time period I think.

239 and 236 could be week 36/39 in 1952.

Those tubes will sound better than any New production tubes you plan to buy.

 

[Lickumms]

312 might be the factory code in this case.

239 and 236 could be week 36/39 in 1952.

Those tubes will sound better than any New production tubes you plan to buy.

Okay, so too old to be Bad Boys. I believe the numbers on the one marked as Sylvania is maybe 5201

 

[Renexx]

Okay, so too old to be Bad Boys. I believe the numbers on the one marked as Sylvania is maybe 5201

No they can be genuine bad boys. They were made in late 52 aswell. I cannot tell the exact months.
The sound will tell you. VT -231 are a little bit shy in the bass and bad boys are more full bodied.

 

[Lickumms]

No they can be genuine bad boys. They were made in late 52 aswell. I cannot tell the exact months.
The sound will tell you. VT -231 are a little bit shy in the bass and bad boys are more full bodied.

thanks for all the help! I will have to give them a burn in since they are NOS then see how they sound.

 

[Renexx]

thanks for all the help! I will have to give them a burn in since they are NOS then see how they sound.

Don't worry they will sound great out of the box. Any possible improvement over time is just a benefit.

 

[JTbbb]

I also own 3 Ken-Rad Vt-231 that I don't know how to test to find a matched pair.

I own a bottlehead crack. Would it be possible to plug each KEn-Rad into that and test a voltage output on the headphone plug to find a matched pair in the Ken-Rads?

Once you have plugged in any of your 6sn7’s in the crack to check for any pops or strange noises, just take a pair, like your proposed Ken Rads, and pop them in your amp that requires a pair. If it sounds balanced and good, your good to go!