[SHIMACM]

They both have excellent timbre, (always wanted to use that term ) the Ken Rad vocals are highly dialed in, with crisp highs. The Sylvania has a very nice euphonic delivery here, vocals just fill the room and echos off the walls. Where the Ken Rad tightens the vocals. Both great in their regard. Bass on the Sylvania extends deeper (some might say somewhat bloated), Ken Rad bass is tighter with more control. Of the two i get lost in my music with the Sylvania, Ken Rad I'm more focused. I like em both!

I like the pictures. I'm thinking of limiting my 6sn7 tubes to Ken Rad VT231, Raytheon VT231 and RCA VT231. Depending on the impressions here, I might get the Melz 1578. I ended up selling the Tung-Sol 6sn7gtb and Sylvania 6sn7wgt.

Now in relation to the force tubes I still need to find a TS 5998 or WE 421a.

 

[bcowen]

http://www.tubecollectors.org/archives/DowdGuide2.pdf So after reading that my Cunningham 6AS7G could be older than I thought it was. RCA "Cunningham" 6AS7G started in 1925 to 1941 ...holy crap. (although it was listed as 1949 so what do I know)

Probably better get a newer one as that's really old.

Seriously, nice find on that document. Haven't ever seen that before.

 

[JKDJedi]

I like the pictures. I'm thinking of limiting my 6sn7 tubes to Ken Rad VT231, Raytheon VT231 and RCA VT231. Depending on the impressions here, I might get the Melz 1578. I ended up selling the Tung-Sol 6sn7gtb and Sylvania 6sn7wgt.

Now in relation to the force tubes I still need to find a TS 5998 or WE 421a.

I almost grabbed a certain VT231 yesterday, I was all into the ESPN 30 30 Like Water movie while my phone was pinging like crazy... after the documentary I look at the phone and nearly cried... gone.. at a price I couldn't believe.

The one that got away story...

 

[JackSkully]

So I was able to grab these power tubes for around 52USD are mullard tubes any good for the darkvoice

 

[bcowen]

So I was able to grab these power tubes for around 52USD are mullard tubes any good for the darkvoice

Man, nice score!!! I don't have a Darkvoice, but I'm listening to a Mullard 6080 right now in the Incubus. Can't tell from the picture if what I have is similar to what you just bought, but the one I have is a great sounding tube to my ears.

 

[JackSkully]

Man, nice score!!! I don't have a Darkvoice, but I'm listening to a Mullard 6080 right now in the Incubus. Can't tell from the picture if what I have is similar to what you just bought, but the one I have is a great sounding tube to my ears.

Damn well I can't wait to hear them lol I'm surprised no one bother to bid on these since they are so highly priced

 

[JKDJedi]

So I was able to grab these power tubes for around 52USD are mullard tubes any good for the darkvoice

Dude you scored

 

[JKDJedi]

True story.... @bcowen bought these for me. #truelies

 

[bcowen]

True story.... @bcowen bought these for me. #truelies

But only if they don't sound good. I need to wait until your adapter gets here to try them out.

 

[bcowen]

Damn well I can't wait to hear them lol I'm surprised no one bother to bid on these since they are so highly priced

I think the seller contributed to your fortunate score by the way he listed them. I have "6080* tube" in my Ebay watch list. But he listed them as 'valve/tube' which Ebay would have considered one word. Those never popped up in my watch list (likely due to just that) or there would have been at least one more person bidding on them. LOL! I'm happy that a fellow HeadFi'er scored them regardless.

 

[JKDJedi]

But only if they don't sound good. I need to wait until your adapter gets here to try them out.

Did you really get these!? I have a pair coming in.

 

[bcowen]

Did you really get these!? I have a pair coming in.

Yes, the ones I bought for you.

Seriously, no. I was planning to wait for your verdict before adding yet another adapter to the stash.

 

[JKDJedi]

Yes, the ones I bought for you.

Seriously, no. I was planning to wait for your verdict before adding yet another adapter to the stash.

The bait and switch.... I knew it!!

 

[JKDJedi]

So the Raytheon VT231 sounds like what's described in the OP of the 6SN7 Reference Thread. Mids are slightly forward with a nice attack compared to the laid back approach of Ken Rad, National Union, and Sylvania. The consumer version of that tube are strangely (or maybe it shouldn't be that strange) carbon copy inside (except for the top mica, the consumer version has some type of metal on top where with the VT231 it's none existing). I'm gonna have to revisit this consumer version again. Been a long time but it didn't really move me from memory. Anyways, on some tracks the treble (back to the VT231) can be a little harsh and some might find this tube too forward in the mids, if your listening with sennheiser hd650/6xx then yeah, listening with a v shaped headphone might be the sweet spot with this tube.

(Consumer tube in yellow print VT231 in orange print)

 

[SHIMACM]

JKDJedi you never thought about switching amplifiers? I often wonder if it is more worthwhile to buy more tubes for Darkvoice or simply to buy another OTL amplifier.