[attmci]

So a RCA clone?

 

[gibosi]

  So a RCA clone?

 
Not really. Given that the RCA 6080 was ubiquitous and in some sense the world standard, the writer is simply comparing the construction of the NEC 6080 to the RCA. That said, construction-wise, they look very similar, and I wouldn't be surprised if RCA shared it's technology with NEC.
 
Also of interest in this article, Toshiba (東芝) and Hitachi (日立)  also manufactured this tube, as well as a company called TEN (神戸工業). However, it seems that the 6080 was manufactured primarily for domestic consumption, not the export market. And this helps to explain why these Japanese 6080s are not commonly found.

 

[mordy]

Hi gibosi,
 
I see that your Japanese studies paid off......

 

[jekjek]

  So a RCA clone?

Lets do a Comparison with RCA 6080
On the right is the NEC 6080 and the rest is RCA6080, different production year
All look quite similar in terms of construction, just a little bit different in supporting rod

 

 

 

[Krit]

These are 6as7g unmark base with copper pin. Are these possibly Chantham/Tungsol type? If not who is the maker of the tube? Many thanks for the clarification

 

[DecentLevi]

These are 6as7g unmark base with copper pin. Are these possibly Chantham/Tungsol type? If not who is the maker of the tube? Many thanks for the clarification

Hate to say it, but those look absolutely identical to the Svetlana 6H13C, (6AS7G class) which are a dime a dozen with numerous sub-brand labels, sounding OK - not bad but better can be had

 

[Dogmatrix]

These are 6as7g unmark base with copper pin. Are these possibly Chantham/Tungsol type? If not who is the maker of the tube? Many thanks for the clarification

 

Sorry to contradict the previous post but I would say they are almost certainly Chatham /Tungsol .
Getter is wrong for Russian and construction wrong for RCA

 

[Skylab]

Those are Chatham/TungSol for sure. There was never a Russian 6H13C with anything other than the saucer/cup style getter. A bottom D getter like that means USA 6AS7G, and I agree the rest of the construction is almost surely TungSol.

 

[Mechans1]

AH. the upside down flying saucer getter, a little Russian certainty.

 

[Krit]

Thanks for all the input. Just plug one of these tube in my Bottlehead Crack. One thing for sure, the tube sounds so much better than the included RCA 6080 Tube.

 

[Krit]

  Hate to say it, but those look absolutely identical to the Svetlana 6H13C, (6AS7G class) which are a dime a dozen with numerous sub-brand labels, sounding OK - not bad but better can be had

 
I not sure, but I have never come across the Svetlana 6H13C with copper rods.

 

[attmci]

  @mordy 
Care to compare your 6bl7 to those newly purchased premium 6as7g? 

 

OK. I will answer the question first.
 
Yes, the GEC 6as7g handily beat multiple 6bl7. But 6bl7s represent unbeatable values according to their current price.

 

[mordy]

Hi attmci,
 
Been away for two weeks but had in mind to answer your question. Now you answered it yourself lol, and I do agree with you on both points. Sounds like you got hold of a pair of the GEC 6AS7 tubes.....
 
The 6BL7 three/channel is a great combination with very punchy bass. The GEC tubes have an excellent FR across, and what somebody described as a "mythical energy" which result in a very sweet and engaging sound.
 
IMHO the GEC A1834/6AS7 lives up to all it is hyped up about.

 

[AlexDDD]

Does anybody know a good place to buy tubes from this family(not necessary NOS and preferably inside Europe)?

 

[Cyberia Knight]

  Does anybody know a good place to buy tubes from this family(not necessary NOS and preferably inside Europe)?

Some UK companies I have used are
 
http://www.tube-and-valve-electronics.co.uk/
http://www.langrex.co.uk/
http://www.watfordvalves.com
 
Langrex is on eBay and has a good selection of 6080 series tubes.
 
I have also used http://www.halfin.com/ in Belguim check their http://electols.com/shopping/en/ site.
 
Hope this is of help.