[Nic Rhodes]

I have some round plate Raytheons
 

 

[rosgr63]

Me too but as Raytheon 6F8G and I like them.
 
 

 

[dosley01]

New 6SN7 addict here, I recently purchased a Rogue Audio 99 Magnum preamp which has 4 x 6SN7 along with 2 X 12AX7 and 2 X 12AU7s.  I also have their Eighty Eight power amp with 6550s, 12ax7s and 12au7s.  This has proven to be an "addicts" nightmare, 18 total tubes and 4 variants can become a little overwhelming.  I started my tube journey with a simple Bellari VP130 phono preamp with 1 12AX7, then to a Jolida JD9 with two ax7s and now to full on tube goodness with the Rogue gear.
 
I've been working my way through the sections starting with the phono preamp as that's my only source for this system.  I think I have narrowed that down based on the inventory of tubes I have so I'm onto the gain and mu followers in the pre-amp.  I bought my 99 used and the previous owner had installed  some NOS Sylvania GTAs which based on the print condition and matching date codes, I believe that they probably were NOS.
 
Knowing that most modern tube gear these days is shipping with Chinese tubes, I had picked up some Shuguang 6SN7s because I got them for about $5 each.  I wanted to hear a "worst case scenario"  in my preamp and go from there.  What a waste of money that was, they sound awful and are VERY microphonic.  They stayed in there for a whole of ten minutes.
 
I'm looking for suggestions for something a little less neutral than the GTAs on the warm/romantic side but without breaking the bank.  I don't believe I need a matched quad, but at least two matched pairs.  I've read the 6SN7 guide here and also the comparison VTV did on the 6SN7s.  The Rogue is not a "tubey" sounding preamp per say so I'm looking to make it a little more "tubey"
 
I'd like to stay in the $150 or less for a quad so my options seem pretty limited.  Maybe I should just stick with the GTAs and spend the money on replacing all the EH tubes in my 88 power amp????

 

[rosgr63]

I would recommend a quad of Hitachi 6SN7GTB's which are within your budget.
 
I am not sure how they will behave in your system but maybe worth a try.
 
Meantime lets wait for other contributions and suggestions.

 

[Skylab]

You might check the current head-if FS thread

 

[rosgr63]

Sorry I missed them Rob.
 
These Raytheon 6SN7GTB tubes are great and very reasonably priced a worthy alternative IMHO.

 

[Autobat]

Quote:

I'd like to stay in the $150 or less for a quad so my options seem pretty limited.  Maybe I should just stick with the GTAs and spend the money on replacing all the EH tubes in my 88 power amp????

 
I'm currently running a pair of Motorola Chrome Dome 6SN7s (re-branded Sylvania's) which are very pleasant to listen to.  I have a tendency to not enjoy bright sounding tubes/headphones/speakers due to the headache I get after a short period of time.
 
They were on ebay for the bargin price of 20 bucks a pair. Not NOS but from my research (please correct me if im wrong) 6SN7 tubes dont run anywhere near their threshold so last a very long time so not worried about how long they will last.
 

 

[Skylab]

Sorry I missed them Rob.

These Raytheon 6SN7GTB tubes are great and very reasonably priced a worthy alternative IMHO.

No worries my friend, I was replying to the gentleman making the inquiry

 

[dminches]

O/T (but all the tube experts hang out here!)

Can someone tell me about 6H30s? What are the premium versions of these and are there any direct substitutes?

 

[rosgr63]

9 pin tube, here are the data sheets:
http://www.tubes.ru/techinfo/HiFiAudio/6n30.html
 
I use them in one of my amps the DR variant is supposed to be the best.

 

[dminches]

Are there several manufactures of the DR variety or are they all Soviet?

 

[rosgr63]

From what I know Soviet, David check this thread for more info:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/563884/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide

 

[setamp]

I am really enjoying the Create Synergy 6SN7.  So far my favorite has been the Ken-Rad 6f8g for it's amazing midrange.  It's weakness is a soft bass.  The Create does not have the magic in the midrange but it is good.  Very clean and very quiet.  Dynamics are excellent and bass is great.  I need more time with this tube but it is a keeper and will probably be #2 or #1 in my estimation. 
 

 

[Frank I]

Quote:

Are there several manufactures of the DR variety or are they all Soviet?

The 6H30 started being used by BAT Balanced audi technology in their integrated and preamps. Victor At BAT  labeled it the super tube. All were manufactured inRussia by New Sensor and not current production any longer. Sovtek labels.  I used them in the Little Dot Mk 1 and really liked the tube. Great tubes . Here is a link to some of the history from when Victor started using the Recognizing 6H30 - 6N30 tubes - ACA

 

[dminches]

Frank, thanks for the link. That was a very educational article.