The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[Aura]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akabeth /img/forum/go_quote.gif I mean when I find pages like these... 6SN7 / 5692 Vacuum Tube List The NOS tubes I'm staring down at are now 'triple'!!! the listed prices above. Of course I don't think it's up to date but still, this webpage can't be that old.

Welcome to 6SN7

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The series as a whole has become very pricey with even relatively standard pairs seemingly commanding a premium (especially for NOS).

As for the dream pairs, such as the Mullard ECC32's, $350-400 per pair is the norm.

 

[Rob N]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aura /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not sure how recently (or frequently) this thread is updated, but a slight add-on needs to be made for the Brimar CV1988. I received a black base CV1988 the other day that was labeled 6SN7GT. It still is a Brimar CV1988, but not the brown-base 6SN7GTY version (the "Y" is the designation for the brown-base as already noted). As for how it compares to the GTY, both Skylab and myself believe they sound exactly the same. It is still a CV1988, just a version that I had personally never seen before. Makes me wonder how rare it is...

I've got a couple of pairs of the black bases.Brimars are becoming increasing scarce and prices are rising

 

[Skylab]

Yeh, the fact that Tung-Sol 6SN7GT round plates are $400-500/pair is insane.

 

[Akabeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeh, the fact that Tung-Sol 6SN7GT round plates are $400-500/pair is insane.

Apparently that's one of the types I'm looking at (as soon as I get this 6v psu sorted out) and it's more like US$450-'600!!'

for a NOS/matched VT-231 pair... that's from all the live listings I've checked.

That's good for a balanced HD650! -OR-

a NOS pair of Mullard ECC82 or RCA 6592 red base 'plus' a few pairs of 6BL7GT's!

Quote:

This is MADNESS!!

As much as I love listening to music and exploring gears, I know my limits

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeh, the fact that Tung-Sol 6SN7GT round plates are $400-500/pair is insane.

Wow, I remember when, oh well. I have a few pairs of the round plate tungsols. One pair is in a beautiful thick box for the military with nice deep printed blue, the boxes look just like when they were made back in the 1940's.. I like them fine but 6SN7's aren't my favorite. I also have more than a dozen of the Sylvania 1952 6SN7's in nos. The 6SN7 was one of the highest produced tubes of all time. I hope that they someday make some good new ones.

 

[Akabeth]

Do these premium tubes make 'that' much of a difference (or should I say improvement) to the sound of a system when implemented properly?

Don't tell me this goes back to the 'try it first, talk later' bit?....

 

[jamato8]

In a good system they add that last bit of "you are there" and refinement. Some like the Tungsol round plates and some don't. I think they are very fine but also like the Sylvania 1952 model. I prefer a good 6DJ8 that is correctly implemented and I have some Russian Amperex 6DJ8's that are better than anything else I have heard in 6SN7's or 6DJ8's.

 

[Akabeth]

Refinement...

My wallet is gonna be in trouble this winter...

*cough* Chinucifi-fi *cough* T_T

 

[Skylab]

No doubt good tubes can really make an amp shine. But like anything, it is about amp-tube-headphone synergy, and it is of course subject to diminishing returns.

 

[ppl]

Has anyone tried the generic Russian 6SN7GT from Antique radio supply part number T-6SN7GT-RUSSIA

 

[Skylab]

Hi Phil:

I have, and was not impressed. Some Russian tubes are pretty good, but with the exception of the uber-expensive 1578, Russian 6SN7's have all been pretty bad, IMO. Certainly they will be blown away by even the very cheapest RCA or Sylvania 6SN7GTB.

 

[ppl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Phil: I have, and was not impressed. Some Russian tubes are pretty good, but with the exception of the uber-expensive 1578, Russian 6SN7's have all been pretty bad, IMO. Certainly they will be blown away by even the very cheapest RCA or Sylvania 6SN7GTB.

Thanks, Are there any currently produced 6SN7's that are at least decent? sounding, In my situation paying $300 U.S.D. is not an option. The Primary reason i have not Played with tubes in over 30 years is the ridiculous prices demanded of NOS tubes resulting in low bang for the Buck in my use.

I have Compared the NOS GE,RCA,Sylvania 6BL7GTA to the Russian 6SN7GT and liked the 6BL7GTA allot better regardless of brand. I assumed that the 6BL7GTA is just a better sounding tube than the 6SN7 however since i only compared the Russian types this may not be consistent.

 

[shellylh]

I won a brown base Tung-Sol USN-CTL 6sn7wgta (made in USA) off ebay pretty cheap. I am not expecting much but bought thought it seemed interesting. Has anyone tried it?

Can I use this 6sn7wgta's in the Extreme?

Skylab said that the Sylvania 6sn7wgta could be used in the Extreme (and would sound good) so I assume they can all be used in the extreme but maybe not.

Haven't been able to get my hands on a reasonably priced Sylvania 6sn7wgta yet.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppl /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks, Are there any currently produced 6SN7's that are at least decent? sounding, In my situation paying $300 U.S.D. is not an option. The Primary reason i have not Played with tubes in over 30 years is the ridiculous prices demanded of NOS tubes resulting in low bang for the Buck in my use. I have Compared the NOS GE,RCA,Sylvania 6BL7GTA to the Russian 6SN7GT and liked the 6BL7GTA allot better regardless of brand. I assumed that the 6BL7GTA is just a better sounding tube than the 6SN7 however since i only compared the Russian types this may not be consistent.

I understand the issue, Phil - I don't think it's reasonable to sell an amp you are making with NOS tubes - no one would expect that.

The Re-issued Tung-Sol 6SN7's are the best of the current production, IMO. Then the people who buy your amp can roll in their own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellylh /img/forum/go_quote.gif I won a brown base Tung-Sol USN-CTL 6sn7wgta (made in USA) off ebay pretty cheap. I am not expecting much but bought thought it seemed interesting. Has anyone tried it? Can I use this 6sn7wgta's in the Extreme? Skylab said that the Sylvania 6sn7wgta could be used in the Extreme (and would sound good) so I assume they can all be used in the extreme but maybe not. Haven't been able to get my hands on a reasonably priced Sylvania 6sn7wgta yet.

Yes, you can use this as the driver tube in the Extreme, and it's a pretty good sounding tube, too!

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppl /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks, Are there any currently produced 6SN7's that are at least decent? sounding, In my situation paying $300 U.S.D. is not an option. The Primary reason i have not Played with tubes in over 30 years is the ridiculous prices demanded of NOS tubes resulting in low bang for the Buck in my use. I have Compared the NOS GE,RCA,Sylvania 6BL7GTA to the Russian 6SN7GT and liked the 6BL7GTA allot better regardless of brand. I assumed that the 6BL7GTA is just a better sounding tube than the 6SN7 however since i only compared the Russian types this may not be consistent.

6BL7GTAs dont compare to the best nos 6SN7s foir gain duty. As an output tub in the SP headamps the 6BL7GTA is superb. One problem .... the 6BL7GTA has the 6SN7 pinout but they draw 1.5 amps of heater current vs 0.6 amps for a 6SN7. Using this tube in place of a 6sn7 could burn up your power transformer in many amps. Make sure you check your power trasformer rating.