I think you’ve experienced it first hand! Plate color seems not to matter much between some types. Also you might do just fine with a pair of tubes that are not ‘perfectly matched’ if they are not noisy and free from excessive microphonics I say don’t worry about test figures and just enjoy the tubes.
Nice!! Yes it’s so very addicting. I only buy cheap, watch for deals when a seller doesn’t know what they have and make sure they come with a return. Don’t forget to tension your tube sockets from time to time if you plan to do a lot of rolling. Or try a socket saver if you aren’t using one already.I totally agree. I am new to this, so I am still trying to figure things out. It seems that there is a good amount of mystification when it comes to significance of test results, “platinum” matching, different tube variants of the same tube type, their age, county of production, military vs other standards, material used for the base, and other factors that allow vintage tube sellers to charge a lot more for some. Funny thing is, I got a lot with 4 tubes for 20 bucks on eBay. So about 5 bucks per tube, which is quite cheap. Seller only said they test good but didn’t include any readings. I asked later and they said they do that only with matched pairs. Otherwise, they look if it’s in green or red on a tester. That’s it. Some had marks to identify them, other didn't. There was a pair identical architecture. Nothing fancy, black base bottom getters, one relabeled as Magnavox, and other has noting visible. One even has a crack going halfway on the side of the base. But they sound awesome. I identified them as quite common Sylvania 6SN7GT bottom getters that were made since 40's, I think. I had no clue if any are good, but they were cheap, so I went for it. Surprisingly these two were the lowest noise and among best sounding among all tubes I got. Most re-sellers publish only emissions test, but that doesn’t say much about noise and microphonics, only about prior use if I got it right. Some resellers do all the tests, but they sell only matched pairs and charge a lot more than the way I was going about it. It makes no sense to me that some 6SN7’s goes up to 300 bucks and more. It's alike an antique store for collectors but does that have to do as much with an audiophile mindset. I don't know. Can those rare tubes truly sound 10 times or more better comparable to their cost? Don't think they can. Bottom line, it’s fun to swap but I am not sure if I needed a bunch of different types, or I just got to believe that it’s all so relevant. Still, it’s type of addiction, as my username says…
If space is an issue, (depending on the amp) you could just replace the sockets now or down the road.
Correct all around. You are paying for the rarity. Luckily, there are still plenty of very, very good Sylvania, RCA, Raytheon, etc NOS 6SN7 still available at good prices. The circuit design of the amp and the amp itself is far more relevant when it comes to sound quality. The tubes are the (nice) icing on the cake.It makes no sense to me that some 6SN7’s goes up to 300 bucks and more. It's alike an antique store for collectors but does that have to do as much with an audiophile mindset. I don't know. Can those rare tubes truly sound 10 times or more better comparable to their cost? Don't think they can. Bottom line, it’s fun to swap but I am not sure if I needed a bunch of different types, or I just got to believe that it’s all so relevant. Still, it’s type of addiction, as my username says…
Can help to identify how much life the tube has left. Noise and microphonics can be tested for. Also look out for if the tube is tested for shorts (might save your amp), transconductance, gas and leaks. The better tube testers will give these results, and tubes with good values on a good tester will sell for more than a tube that simply states "good" or "pass" and/or emissions. It's a mine field out there... If you are planning on obtaining quite a few tubes, I do recommend a decent tube tester. Or at least only purchase from reputable sellers who publish tube test results, but this can be a more expensive route...
Define 'quite a few' - does quite a few hundred count? Or quite a few thousand? Asking for a
A few hundred definitely counts
Your gonna have to send that one to me for further evaluation. Nice grab, how's it sound?
