DV 336i - 6SN7 Tubes for NEW owners

[Negatron]

For you new DV 336i owners here is a low priced start on front end tubes from a reliable ebay store:
eBay Store: Search results for Vacuum Tube Supplies.
This beats getting up at 5:30 AM to go to a Ham Radio 'Tailgate' swap meet at 7:00AM tube hunting. Those of you who just picked up a 336i here is a chance to get up and running without breaking the bank and just a sugestion since there are several of you, don't get greedy.

.
6SN7GTB, labeled DUMONT which looks to be a Tung Sol, $6.29 w/close matched sections
6SN7GTA, labeled AIRLINE. is an Sylvania short bottle chrome top for $8 w/matched sections
6SN7GTB, manufactured by RAYTHEON Japan w/close matched sections, very close sound to tall RCA <$6
Several short bottle, side getter GE & RCA tubes are listed, far better than the Chinese tube that comes with the amp. plus some perfectly usable used tubes, you get what he ships for $3.59

I have no connection or financial interest with this, it's just a heads up.
Enjoy your new amp.

 

[Gollie]

I got some used tubes in today so I popped one of the RCA 6SN7GT in the front of my 336i. The hum is unbarrable. Did I do something wrong or do I just need to give it some time to burn in?

 

[Negatron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gollie /img/forum/go_quote.gif I got some used tubes in today so I popped one of the RCA 6SN7GT in the front of my 336i. The hum is unbarrable. Did I do something wrong or do I just need to give it some time to burn in?

Nothing is wrong. Give it some time and the Hum will go away. After sitting 40 years or so oxides build up on the heaters, wire sags a bit and capacitice coupling transfers hum to the grids. It goes away completely. I usually run mine with Pink Noise overnight to speed things up. Also some go away quicker than others. I might mention that with all old tubes clean the pins, even if they look clean, with an old toothbrush and alchohol and rinse with water or your own new brush and Vodka - and let them dry before putting 'em in the amp.

 

[hztfc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Negatron /img/forum/go_quote.gif For you new DV 336i owners here is a low priced start on front end tubes from a reliable ebay store: eBay Store: Search results for Vacuum Tube Supplies. This beats getting up at 5:30 AM to go to a Ham Radio 'Tailgate' swap meet at 7:00AM tube hunting. Those of you who just picked up a 336i here is a chance to get up and running without breaking the bank and just a sugestion since there are several of you, don't get greedy. . 6SN7GTB, labeled DUMONT which looks to be a Tung Sol, $6.29 w/close matched sections 6SN7GTA, labeled AIRLINE. is an Sylvania short bottle chrome top for $8 w/matched sections 6SN7GTB, manufactured by RAYTHEON Japan w/close matched sections, very close sound to tall RCA <$6 Several short bottle, side getter GE & RCA tubes are listed, far better than the Chinese tube that comes with the amp. plus some perfectly usable used tubes, you get what he ships for $3.59 I have no connection or financial interest with this, it's just a heads up. Enjoy your new amp.

nice one

 

[Gollie]

So leaving it on for long periods of time wont hurt it?

Where do I get a stream of pink noise?

 

[Jo6Pak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Negatron /img/forum/go_quote.gif I might mention that with all old tubes clean the pins, even if they look clean, with an old toothbrush and alchohol and rinse with water or your own new brush and Vodka

I recommend Grey Goose...

 

[Negatron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gollie /img/forum/go_quote.gif So leaving it on for long periods of time wont hurt it? Where do I get a stream of pink noise?

Leaving a tube amp on for long periods will hurt nothing unless you have small children, in which case there will be a brief learning curve regarding not touching Hot 6AS7's. They learn fast.

re: Pink Noise see link below. Follow the instructions when you install the app. Set it at -3db and run time for 6 hours and check the do nothing when done selection. It is a great app. I would like to credit the Head-fier who first posted the link to the app but I lost the post.

http://www.edifier.com/scn2005/suppo...s.v1.01.en.zip

Alternately search on pink noise generators, there are a ton of freeware apps that will do a min. or 2. Splice them together in the editor of your choice and make a 1 hour CD and put on repeat.

 

[Negatron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif I recommend Grey Goose...

Exceptional recomendation unless you are using the 6H13C Russian tubes, then Stolichnaya is marginally better. Smoother bottom end.

 

[jamato8]

I think it depends upon what you term as a long time. Tubes have a finite life and leaving good tubes running when not observed isn't always a good thing. Let a power tube internally short and there goes your transformer. If you are around and the plates start glowing cheery red at least you have a warning. On small tube units there is far less chance of problems but tube amps generate heat and generally I wouldn't just leave things on for long lengths of time. Some tubes are run at low dissipation and are meant to be on all the time but this is something that would be part of the information passed along with the unit.

 

[Negatron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think it depends upon what you term as a long time. Tubes have a finite life and leaving good tubes running when not observed isn't always a good thing. Let a power tube internally short and there goes your transformer. If you are around and the plates start glowing cheery red at least you have a warning. On small tube units there is far less chance of problems but tube amps generate heat and generally I wouldn't just leave things on for long lengths of time. Some tubes are run at low dissipation and are meant to be on all the time but this is something that would be part of the information passed along with the unit.

Point well taken, but turning a tube amp on and off 5 or 6 times a day will hammer it with current surges that will shorten life more. I was more addressing a break-in process. I always turn my gear off when leaving. but when listening on and off over a long period I leave it on. Also over the years I've seen far more old Phase Linears go up in flames than tube amps.

 

[augustwest]

"I got some used tubes in today so I popped one of the RCA 6SN7GT in the front of my 336i. The hum is unbarrable. Did I do something wrong or do I just need to give it some time to burn in?"

You may want to wire brush the pins on the tube to remove any oxidation. This sometimes helps to quiet noisy tubes.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Negatron /img/forum/go_quote.gif Point well taken, but turning a tube amp on and off 5 or 6 times a day will hammer it with current surges that will shorten life more. I was more addressing a break-in process. I always turn my gear off when leaving. but when listening on and off over a long period I leave it on. Also over the years I've seen far more old Phase Linears go up in flames than tube amps.

Don't worry about replacing tubes. They're consumables and designed to be replaced. The other side of the coin is that leaving a tube amp on shortens its life. I mean your resistors and capacitors, possibly your transformers as well. These components are engineered for only so much life. The major factor of component failure is heat. Leave your gear on all the time and you'll cook your components. Cooked components are the primary cause of tube failures. If you cook your caps, your caps will kill your tubes, even if you've kept them away from inrush currents.

I've seen many, many failures of this type over the years. Before I got into hi-fi, I spent years restoring old tube radios. Still do, it's lots of fun. Part of it is detective work to find what failed and caused it to be stuck away in a closet or attic somewhere.

Caps and resistors are better these days, but still, the major cause of equipment failure I've seen in over 100+ sets was excess heat. Usually, a cap would cook off and fry tubes.

I've seen some spectacular tube failures, as well. I sure am glad I was there to turn the set off. Tubes still fail these days, as well. About a month ago, I was in Phoenix and saw a friend's guitar amp cook one off. It was smoking and certainly would have caught fire if no one had been there to yank the power cord.

I could go on, but I hope you get the point. Not trying to be a wet blanket and ruin your fun or anything. Just be safe.

 

[rivieraranch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Negatron /img/forum/go_quote.gif For you new DV 336i owners here is a low priced start on front end tubes from a reliable ebay store: eBay Store: Search results for Vacuum Tube Supplies. This beats getting up at 5:30 AM to go to a Ham Radio 'Tailgate' swap meet at 7:00AM tube hunting. Those of you who just picked up a 336i here is a chance to get up and running without breaking the bank and just a sugestion since there are several of you, don't get greedy. . 6SN7GTB, labeled DUMONT which looks to be a Tung Sol, $6.29 w/close matched sections 6SN7GTA, labeled AIRLINE. is an Sylvania short bottle chrome top for $8 w/matched sections 6SN7GTB, manufactured by RAYTHEON Japan w/close matched sections, very close sound to tall RCA <$6 Several short bottle, side getter GE & RCA tubes are listed, far better than the Chinese tube that comes with the amp. plus some perfectly usable used tubes, you get what he ships for $3.59 I have no connection or financial interest with this, it's just a heads up. Enjoy your new amp.

This seems like a really good, honest tube seller. $3.59 for a slightly tired, but still good tube is a good deal. A lot of tubes with those kinds of readings are being passed off as "strong" etc. The other stronger tubes are nice, too.

 

[Gollie]

Are the red base 5692 RCA tubes really worth the ~$50 that it will cost to win one of the auctions?

I have a:
silvertone 6SN7GTB
RCA 6SN7GTB
Raytheon 6080WA
RCA 6AS7G
Sylvania 6SN7 Jan CRC VT-231

I have not even had the chance to test them all but it seems like the only one I don't have is the red base RCA. Really worth the premium?

 

[nick20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gollie /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are the red base 5692 RCA tubes really worth the ~$50 that it will cost to win one of the auctions? I have a: silvertone 6SN7GTB RCA 6SN7GTB Raytheon 6080WA RCA 6AS7G Sylvania 6SN7 Jan CRC VT-231 I have not even had the chance to test them all but it seems like the only one I don't have is the red base RCA. Really worth the premium?

They will likely sell more for that. The last single I saw ended around $112. If you can get it for $50, by all means do so!


Are they worth the premium? Generally, yes. Only your ears can tell. But I got my first taste of "exotics" in the 5998, and I was hesitant to spend high end dollars for "exotic" tubes. Now, I know they are worth the price.




As to your list, there's hundreds of different varriants of these tubes. I don't think anyone has collected them all. There's LOTS of 5692's, and 6SN7's out there. To achieve a complete collection, you're looking at thousands of dollars.