Feliks Audio ENVY

[DeeT79]

Thanks all for the tube help everyone.

Thinking of one of these two Brimar options from Vintage Electronics UK.

Am I right in thinking there's not much, if any, difference in sound between military grade or non, different getters, different bases and that any Brimar 6SN7 or CV1988 would give me the same sound?

I landed on these two since either look like good options since they're NOS and reasonably priced versus other options which are either used and/or more expensive!

These tubes are going to be nice and there won't be any difference in sound between the military and non-military versions, bases, or getters. Sometimes military grade costs more due to the perception that the military had stricter quality standards based on the applications in which they used the tubes leading to greater longevity. Personally, while this may be true in some cases, I don't know that there's been enough testing to determine if there are higher failure rates with non-military tubes.

 

[tameral]

The people to really ask are in the 6sn7 thread. But getters are just a way of determining how old the tube is, maybe where it was made, and certain tubes develop a reputation from a particular period or factory - whether or not they are really better it is hard to say - some suggest that it also influences the sound but not in any profound way. Mainly it is about age of tube older tubes are thought to have been made to stricter standards / more robust manufacturing methods that were later simplified. If I have a 7000$ amplifier and 1500$ power tubes - I'm not sure why I wouldn't want some certainty by playing it safe for a little more

 

[Doug2507]

I've compared early black base clear ('46) , brown base clear ('52) and the later black beauty (' 72), all MIL print.

Early black base clear were the standout to my ears, they do have a slightly different construction though, most notably the upper mica spacers which the later ones omitted and a foil getter (if you believe getters make a difference).

Regardless, they all sound very similar so if just wanting to hear what a cv1988 sounds like, can't go wrong with any IMO. If they end up being a favourite, then maybe worth having a play between the years, same as any other tube, Melz being a prime example (although it's one of the 6SN7 family I've not listed to but from what I've read there's variation in sound between years).

Also, personal opinion from having rolled a fair few tubes now, the earlier productions, on the whole but not always, tend to be the better sounding ones.

 

[JTbbb]

Just a heads up for anyone looking for a quad of Tungsol 6J5GT VT94D‘s. Mine are in Classifieds.

 

[AcousticMatt]

I've compared early black base clear ('46) , brown base clear ('52) and the later black beauty (' 72), all MIL print.

Early black base clear were the standout to my ears, they do have a slightly different construction though, most notably the upper mica spacers which the later ones omitted and a foil getter (if you believe getters make a difference).

Regardless, they all sound very similar so if just wanting to hear what a cv1988 sounds like, can't go wrong with any IMO. If they end up being a favourite, then maybe worth having a play between the years, same as any other tube, Melz being a prime example (although it's one of the 6SN7 family I've not listed to but from what I've read there's variation in sound between years).

Also, personal opinion from having rolled a fair few tubes now, the earlier productions, on the whole but not always, tend to be the better sounding ones.

Thanks all, again for the tube advice.

If buying from Tube Depot, they have options to add on Balanced Triodes, High Gain, Low Noise & Microphonics, and Matching. Any necessary besides matching? Each are about $2 per tube to add on.

 

[Solasuke]

I've compared early black base clear ('46) , brown base clear ('52) and the later black beauty (' 72), all MIL print.

Early black base clear were the standout to my ears, they do have a slightly different construction though, most notably the upper mica spacers which the later ones omitted and a foil getter (if you believe getters make a difference).

Regardless, they all sound very similar so if just wanting to hear what a cv1988 sounds like, can't go wrong with any IMO. If they end up being a favourite, then maybe worth having a play between the years, same as any other tube, Melz being a prime example (although it's one of the 6SN7 family I've not listed to but from what I've read there's variation in sound between years).

Also, personal opinion from having rolled a fair few tubes now, the earlier productions, on the whole but not always, tend to be the better sounding ones.

I’m interested to hear if you don’t mind what your favourite 6SN7s are? I’m coming from a Euforia, but hopefully it will hold true nevertheless. I’m a big fan of the Brimar CV1988s.

 

[DeeT79]

Thanks all, again for the tube advice.

If buying from Tube Depot, they have options to add on Balanced Triodes, High Gain, Low Noise & Microphonics, and Matching. Any necessary besides matching? Each are about $2 per tube to add on.

None of those options are necessary with Envy besides matching.

 

[Doug2507]

I’m interested to hear if you don’t mind what your favourite 6SN7s are? I’m coming from a Euforia, but hopefully it will hold true nevertheless. I’m a big fan of the Brimar CV1988s.

I've veered towards 12AU7 tbh but with TM / Immanis and Storm, Sylv mate base, B65, early Brimar, TS BGRP and 5692 are the only 6SN7 I've kept. They all sound good on my setup.

 

[AcousticMatt]

None of those options are necessary with Envy besides matching.

Thanks!

 

[AcousticMatt]

Very close to ordering some Brimar 6SN7GTs from Langrex (thanks @tameral for the rec):

I wanted to try one more pair. Should I do RCA or Sylvania? I'd be pairing with WE300B.

RCA is 50's black plate and Sylvania is VT231 "green bad boys" foil getter JAN military spec.

 

[tameral]

Thanks - Leto Dal found that and shared that listing with me - a smart discovery. I hope anyone that buys those enjoys them. 6sn7 prices are ridiculous unfortunately, but I hope everyone is enjoying their Envy. Can't say I got along with Sylvania VT-231 too much but different set ups, different synergies.

 

[DeeT79]

Take a look at the RCA 5692 red base. Those are the RCAs that I really enjoy with Envy.

 

[nwavesailor]

I find most of the top tier drivers work wonderfully in the Envy.

6SN7, 6F8G, 12AU7, C3G, 6J5G, 6S5S and others.

I have only had a few that i didn't like.
I'm an outlier and just so-so on the much loved 1578 and found quads of Mullard and GEC CV6 just dull and boring to me!

 

[AcousticMatt]

Take a look at the RCA 5692 red base. Those are the RCAs that I really enjoy with Envy.

Thanks! Have been looking into those - hard to find other than Ebay. And more expensive! You think they're worth it though over the 50's black plates?

 

[DeeT79]

Thanks! Have been looking into those - hard to find other than Ebay. And more expensive! You think they're worth it though over the 50's black plates?

I have not heard the 50s black plates but the 5692s are definitely worth it. I got mine off Ebay from a reputable seller and they have been fine. I usually use seller feedback on Ebay when buying tubes and I've never had a problem. If the 50s black plates are reasonably priced, it won't hurt to purchase those, but the red base are a special tube.