The Reference 6J5 Thread (L63, 6C5, 12J5, 6P5, etc.)

[Designsfx]

How do you all think 6C5 Ken-Rads sound compared to the VT-231? I got a really nice KR VT-231 a while ago that sounds absolutely great. I got curious and bought some very very cheap 6C5's recently (it's laughable how expensive some 6SN7's are) but can't try them yet, waiting for the adapter. Curious how they compare!

Are the 6C5’s metal tubes? I have a quad of 6C5’s hiding somewhere but it’s been a while since I’ve listened to them. I can’t do a compare though as I only have one KR VT-231. Been casually looking for others to complete a quad with but as you’ve mentioned they are going for stupid prices these days.

 

[mordy]

Are the 6C5’s metal tubes? I have a quad of 6C5’s hiding somewhere but it’s been a while since I’ve listened to them. I can’t do a compare though as I only have one KR VT-231. Been casually looking for others to complete a quad with but as you’ve mentioned they are going for stupid prices these days.

I don't have the KR VT-231 but I can tell you that as a rule the Ken-Rad tubes have very good bass. The 6C5 metal tube sounds great.
It seems that the consensus is that a pair of single triodes that are 1/2 of a 6SN7 sound better than the 6SN7. The 6C5/6J5 tubes are also much cheaper than the famous 6SN7 tubes.
Ken-Rad was sold to GE in 1945, but GE continued to us the KR name for a couple of years. I don't know if the post 1945 KR tubes made by GE are the same as the earlier ones, although the KR factory in Owensboro, KY became the main GE tube factory (the 5 in 188-5).

 

[Isaacc7]

I don't have the KR VT-231 but I can tell you that as a rule the Ken-Rad tubes have very good bass. The 6C5 metal tube sounds great.
It seems that the consensus is that a pair of single triodes that are 1/2 of a 6SN7 sound better than the 6SN7. The 6C5/6J5 tubes are also much cheaper than the famous 6SN7 tubes.
Ken-Rad was sold to GE in 1945, but GE continued to us the KR name for a couple of years. I don't know if the post 1945 KR tubes made by GE are the same as the earlier ones, although the KR factory in Owensboro, KY became the main GE tube factory (the 5 in 188-5).

Ken Rad is one of the few marques I do not have a war time 6sn7 of. The prices have gone a bit crazy though. I’m half heartedly looking to see if there is a 12sn7 equivalent to the much desired vt231.

As far as single triodes sounding “better” I have gone through a bit of a journey. I do think I get more clarity when I use single triodes in general. I keep coming back to the 14n7 and b36 tubes though. Think I am back to the different instead of better phase when it come to single triodes vs. dual. There’s no question that the single triodes are still better deals even with the price of adapters. By all accounts the metal 6c5 and 6j5 sound great and are still cheap. Even the g and gt versions are usually cheaper than the twin triode of the same vintage but those are quickly going up as well. That is bound to keep happening if people keep saying they’re better so shhhh!

 

[mordy]

Ken Rad is one of the few marques I do not have a war time 6sn7 of. The prices have gone a bit crazy though. I’m half heartedly looking to see if there is a 12sn7 equivalent to the much desired vt231.

As far as single triodes sounding “better” I have gone through a bit of a journey. I do think I get more clarity when I use single triodes in general. I keep coming back to the 14n7 and b36 tubes though. Think I am back to the different instead of better phase when it come to single triodes vs. dual. There’s no question that the single triodes are still better deals even with the price of adapters. By all accounts the metal 6c5 and 6j5 sound great and are still cheap. Even the g and gt versions are usually cheaper than the twin triode of the same vintage but those are quickly going up as well. That is bound to keep happening if people keep saying they’re better so shhhh!

There is always a balance recommending a tube or keeping quiet about it. For sure there a professional sellers lurking on these threads and waiting to jack up prices and suddenly make more tubes available of the desirable ones.
On the other hand the all metal tubes lack appeal because there is no tube glow and oftentimes there is a little rust on them (which doesn’t affect the performance at all).

 

[nwavesailor]

On the other hand the all metal tubes lack appeal because there is no tube glow and oftentimes there is a little rust on them (which doesn’t affect the performance at all).

I'm a bit biased regarding metal tubes and no 'glow'. I do, however, really like the C3G so I'm not 100% all glow all the time!

 

[WildPhydeaux]

I'm not 100% all glow all the time!

With the price of alcohol these days I'm also no longer all glow, all the time.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[Isaacc7]

There is always a balance recommending a tube or keeping quiet about it. For sure there a professional sellers lurking on these threads and waiting to jack up prices and suddenly make more tubes available of the desirable ones.
On the other hand the all metal tubes lack appeal because there is no tube glow and oftentimes there is a little rust on them (which doesn’t affect the performance at all).

Big tube dealers are frequently slow on the uptake when a particular tube becomes fashionable here. Sure, NOS 6sn7 are expensive everywhere but oftentimes eBay is the worst place to buy tubes. On the other hand, most dealers won’t obsessively catalog every kind of mica and date code for us. At least on eBay you can see the tube you’ll be buying.

 

[raindownthunda]

all metal tubes lack appeal because there is no tube glow and oftentimes there is a little rust on them (which doesn’t affect the performance at all).

Using rusty ugly duckling tubes that sound kick-ass is soo metal

 

[JackarlTwo]

Are the 6C5’s metal tubes? I have a quad of 6C5’s hiding somewhere but it’s been a while since I’ve listened to them. I can’t do a compare though as I only have one KR VT-231. Been casually looking for others to complete a quad with but as you’ve mentioned they are going for stupid prices these days.

Yeah they're the metal tubes. If they sound worse than the VT-231 I won't complain as they were about $8 each. Plenty of other 6J5's to explore.

 

[JackarlTwo]

Oh yeah they're rusty and banged up! (The pins are super clean and look new). More rust, more flavor I heard.

 

[mordy]

Oh yeah they're rusty and banged up! (The pins are super clean and look new). More rust, more flavor I heard.

The rust has no impact on performance, but it impacts the price lol.
If you can't stand the rust, black nail polish or paint may help - I wrapped one tube in heat resistant black self fusing silicone paint since the markings were gone as well.

 

[Designsfx]

Oh yeah they're rusty and banged up! (The pins are super clean and look new). More rust, more flavor I heard.

@JackarlTwo-
You would have a great time digging through these then- many triodes and pentodes to choose from. I run into this guy every couple of months and these never seem to go away- the just keep adding more to the bins.

 

[Isaacc7]

@JackarlTwo-
You would have a great time digging through these then- many triodes and pentodes to choose from. I run into this guy every couple of months and these never seem to go away- the just keep adding more to the bins.

Oh man, I’m glad I’m not wherever you are! My house might resemble that (more) if I had any exposure lol.

 

[nwavesailor]

I'll admit my bias in wanting to see a nice G L O W from my bottles!
The only exception to my self imposed rule is the C3G.
I would have a very difficult time with any funky rusted metal tubes......even if they were dirt cheap and sounded glorious!!!

 

[triod750]

I'll admit my bias in wanting to see a nice G L O W from my bottles!
The only exception to my self imposed rule is the C3G.
I would have a very difficult time with any funky rusted metal tubes......even if they were dirt cheap and sounded glorious!!!

Some amps have tube sockets with just the heaters connected for the sake of nice glow. This is a brilliant solution!