Would love to know your thoughts on the differences.Time for some NOS testing of the popular choices hereThey do sound very different that’s for sure
Feliks Audio ENVY
- Thread starter Deceneu808
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Doug2507
Headphoneus Supremus
Nice. Have fun!Time for some NOS testing of the popular choices here
TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
After tried several 6SN7 (nothing fancy though) and felt none of them were special, finally my first encounter with non 6SN7: Tungsol 6C8G. Clean, punchy, with energetic character.
Thanks for the loaned tube @K3cT
Thanks for the loaned tube @K3cT
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Nice.Time for some NOS testing of the popular choices here
Doing a similar thing today.
These are all of the tubes I have now.
Melz 1578
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7W
Ken-Rad VT-231
RCA CRC-6SN7GT
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7WGT
They are all great but I may have to cull the herd a little soon. I've gone a bit nuts.
What surprises me are the WGTs (Brown ones at the bottom). They are the cheapest of the lot by quite a bit but they are actually very good.
Happy Listening!
There is nothing to cull there! My pairs, maybe I need to cull someNice.
Doing a similar thing today.
These are all of the tubes I have now.
Melz 1578
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7W
Ken-Rad VT-231
RCA CRC-6SN7GT
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7WGT
They are all great but I may have to cull the herd a little soon. I've gone a bit nuts.
What surprises me are the WGTs (Brown ones at the bottom). They are the cheapest of the lot by quite a bit but they are actually very good.
Happy Listening!
.Tung Sol Jan-CTL-6SN7gt VT-231 Black Glass Oval Mica
National Union US NAVY Black Glass 6sn7gt
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7W
CKR 6sn7gt US NAVY Black Glass
Brimar cv1988 6sn7GTY Brown Base
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7W Metal Base incoming! Couldn’t resist a pair that came up reasonably priced.
Oh do let us know what the metal base ones these are likeThere is nothing to cull there! My pairs, maybe I need to cull some
Tung Sol Jan-CTL-6SN7gt VT-231 Black Glass Oval Mica
National Union US NAVY Black Glass 6sn7gt
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7W
CKR 6sn7gt US NAVY Black Glass
Brimar cv1988 6sn7GTY Brown Base
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7W Metal Base incoming! Couldn’t resist a pair that came up reasonably priced.
The Melz and Sylvania 6SN7W are still my favourites but all of the others are excellent too as you say.
I actually have another pair of Melz ordered but the 6N8S versions with the mouse ears etc. Identical to my pair just (most likely) from the early 80s. They're taking forever to arrive from Russia though...maybe Putin has blown them up in transit.
kajetanjazz
500+ Head-Fier
From my early impressions rca 5692 have more body and bloom to the sound. Sometimes to a point where it feels like a different rendition of the song, however it does work and is musically pleasing. Worth to note I’m using 1266 and May kte
Brimars sound very natural, live tracks sound misleadingly effortless. It is more spacious (not a ton), but sometimes i feel there could be more body in the vocals. Track dependent though. Also i believe the tubes are quite fresh in use, so perhaps a subject to change
kajetanjazz
500+ Head-Fier
RCA CRC-6SN7GT
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7WGT
They are all great but I may have to cull the herd a little soon. I've gone a bit nuts.
What surprises me are the WGTs (Brown ones at the bottom). They are the cheapest of the lot by quite a bit but they are actually very good.
Happy Listening!
I’m a fan of the grey rca ones - i have two pairs for a spare. They’re more dynamic than 5692 and cv1988, but on a scratchier recording upper midrange can be a bit hot. At least as a pairing with 1266.
Brimar seems to be the most universally complete for anything played, but there can be tracks which I’d prefer on the smoked glass or 5692
Thats kind of where I wanted to get to really. Having two pairs of the ones I like the best. I have 2 pairs of the Sylvania 6SN7W now and I was hoping the 1982/1983 Melz could give my 1978 pair a run for their money. Both of those tubes are very detailed and dynamic.
The Ken Rads and the Grey glass are both a little warmer but really excellent all rounders. The WGT brown base tubes surprised me a lot. They sit in between and you can get them for an absolute steal.
I liked the RCA 5692s. I found them quite midrange focused. I liked them a lot with the WE300bs.
Doug2507
Headphoneus Supremus
If you like them but want a touch more body, I'd highly recommend keeping an eye out for an early pair.
Also consider a TS BGRP.
kajetanjazz
500+ Head-Fier
From my understanding this is an earlier pair clear glass, at least compared to the black ones that are seen on ebay. I’d think?If you like them but want a touch more body, I'd highly recommend keeping an eye out for an early pair.
Doug2507
Headphoneus Supremus
Can't make it out from your photo but the two letters printed to the left of the KD/FE print with the arrow (or diamond) above will tell you the year.
kajetanjazz
500+ Head-Fier
I’ll check later, from what I know they’re from 1957
Doug2507
Headphoneus Supremus
They'll be "N*" then.
"A" is 1945, a letter for every year after, skipping "I" and "O".
Doug2507
Headphoneus Supremus
@JTbbb have you seen any foil getter past '46? BA is the earliest I've seen before they changed, wondering how long the foil / black plate / upper mica supports ran for before they changed construction?
I think I did see an AA at some point but can't find the reference again.
I think I did see an AA at some point but can't find the reference again.
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