[therremans]

I can find one pair of Sylvania 6J5GT (which sound great in your description) but they're "black plates", which I'm assuming are a no-go...? And $72! -

I didn’t like the black plates in my amp. The Sylvania gray plates will also be sold under other names. So try searching for just 6J5GT, etc.

RCA 6SN7GTB - only one I can find for cheap is different spec - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384689337512

Totally different tube and worth about $5. Probably sounds quite bad.

The only tube I can find that seems relatively available and to spec in your list is the 6SN7GT RCA (grey glass), but ones that test well seem to be going for around $85! -

Yeah people seem to want $80 for the RCA VT-231. It’s not worth it to me.

I guess this is the way of tubes in the world these days...(!?) Or do I just have to wait for bargains?

Yep, wait for bargains on eBay. That’s how it goes..
There’s no real shortcuts, I browse eBay continuously to score deals on my saved searches and my fiancé hates it. Just keep looking and waiting.

You said there are too many viable options to list them all. Can you think of any you haven't mentioned (with the sort of characteristics I'm after) that might be more available?

Not off the top of my head, I mean there’s so many options but you really just need to use some and figure out what you like and want. Only so much research can go into play when you have the combination of the tubes, amp and phones. I listed quite a few cheaper options.

These are the cheapest pair of British L63 I've come across, at $160 - https://mullard.org/products/copy-of-l63-osram-matched-pair-large-blue-decal-2

That’s pretty normal but lower testing valves can be found. I just watched this one end today for 47 pounds - link

 

[therremans]

Is this the one? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224885672675?hash=item345c3b0ae3:g:CA8AAOSweXRh9rPr

You mentioned good mids - how are the bass, vocals, treble? (Pairing would be with the GEC 6080 you recommended if you're up for some testing )

That price is a bit rich for those test results, imo. I’ll check it out this evening. Yes, I own just one the gray plates version. But I did score these Brimar 6J5Gs today for a bargain price and they are black plates. Link

 

[therremans]

@jpearson

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2032589987...roZ8AOWRMO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I purchased a set of these from this seller. They arrived NIB and tested above bogey levels. Pair with a Mullard or GEC 6080 for a warmer sound. Works well with the HD6XX. Especially good with jazz. Vocals are definitely not going to be sibilant for you. (I gave my thoughts on these in this thread if you search back.)

That’s a recommendation.

Still seek out the Sylvania 6J5GT and RCA VT-94s. Sylvania/Phillips/Zenith 6J5G is a different sound than those but that’s another that you may enjoy. It’s an airy spacious sound. But I wouldn’t pay too much for these. (They will go for more than the previous tubes I just mentioned)

 

[therremans]

GEC 6080 / Brimar 6SN7GT (gray)

@jpearson Yeah like I said, this combination would work for you. It’s laid back for sure. Vocals are not sibilant. High notes are never harsh. Very little attack here. Brimar will have a more high freq details than the Ken-Rad 6C5s. However they’re both up your alley. For the money, I’d still go with those Ken-Rads to start. They’re pretty great. You’ll eventually pickup a Brimar 6SN7 or 6J5Gs to try out.

Low end is definitely tame. If you want a nice low end that has some bass slam to it, I’d recommend different headphones.

I can tell you what you don’t want, and that’s a Foton . It’s all about the attack and high end bite.

 

[DTgill]

Decided to try this combo out, sounds very nice...

RCA-6AS7G and PSVANE 6SN7-SE

 

[Slade01]

I found something that will go well with your tube collections @therremans @bcowen

https://tmraudio.com/accessories/miscellaneous/roller-hero-tubility-belt/

 

[bcowen]

I found something that will go well with your tube collections @therremans @bcowen

https://tmraudio.com/accessories/miscellaneous/roller-hero-tubility-belt/

LOL! It should have a big buckle in front with "Nerd" silkscreened on it. Or maybe "Idiot" for spending $799 on $15 worth of elastic bands and velcro.

 

[therremans]

I found something that will go well with your tube collections @therremans @bcowen

https://tmraudio.com/accessories/miscellaneous/roller-hero-tubility-belt/

LOL! It should have a big buckle in front with "Nerd" silkscreened on it. Or maybe "Idiot" for spending $799 on $15 worth of elastic bands and velcro.

April fools?
I hope I qualify for the 6 month 0% financing.

 

[jonathan c]

April fools?
I hope I qualify for the 6 month 0% financing.

For you at $799, the 0 month, 6% financing !

 

[jonathan c]

“Trade Up”?…is there a version just for KT88?

 

[bcowen]

For you at $799, the 0 month, 6% financing !

With that financing offer, I almost jumped on it. But then....no free shipping? I'm out.

 

[jonathan c]

I found something that will go well with your tube collections @therremans @bcowen

https://tmraudio.com/accessories/miscellaneous/roller-hero-tubility-belt/

Brought to you by BeltyBelt…

 

[Slade01]

With that financing offer, I almost jumped on it. But then....no free shipping? I'm out.

Yeah I agree. No free shipping is always a deal breaker.

I'll leave one more out there if you guys haven't seen this. It's a fascinating watch.

 

[jonathan c]

Yeah I agree. No free shipping is always a deal breaker.

I'll leave one more out there if you guys haven't seen this. It's a fascinating watch.

I think that those are best driven by a h/p/a with Hello Kitty-88 tubes…

 

[bcowen]

I think that those are best driven by a h/p/a with Hello Kitty-88 tubes…

ROFL! May be a good application for GE's. Probably wouldn't be able to hear them suck.