The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[tonereef]

Anyone here familiar with 6SN7 GTB by Marconi Radiotron PP, black base, tubes are stamped "Japan" but presumably sold in Canada. I'm using in a DIY amp for Stax 009s and wondering whether these tubes are limiting the lower mid/bass response. If so, any suggestions to improve the situation? The amp sounds excellent in other respects.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

I promised my self no more 6/12SN7's tubes for me but i was tempted by these 2 SYLVANIA  8SN7 GTB for $15 ,2 12SN7  SYLVANIA and PHILCO for $8, 6 12SN7 T-S,GE,CBS Hytron,SYLVANIA and RCA for $29.Is these a good deal? THANKS!

 

[lojay]

What 6sn7s do people recommend for Woo WA5?
I'm using Tungsol BGRP and Sylvania 6sn7w metal base. I find the metal base airier with a wider representation of the soundstage, but the Tungsol is king when it comes to tonal balance, warmth and bass. The presentation is more immediate and front row. The metal base is too bright with the HD800 and sounds 'artificial'.

Forgot to add that the Tungsol BGRPs are ridiculously microphonic...

Disliked the Kenrads (which had little bass on the WA5 contrary to its reputation).

For something different, do you recommend the CV181 (which Woo suggests fits in the amp), B65 or RCA 5692?

 

[musicman59]

What 6sn7s do people recommend for Woo WA5?
I'm using Tungsol BGRP and Sylvania 6sn7w metal base. I find the metal base airier with a wider representation of the soundstage, but the Tungsol is king when it comes to tonal balance, warmth and bass. The presentation is more immediate and front row. The metal base is too bright with the HD800 and sounds 'artificial'.

Forgot to add that the Tungsol BGRPs are ridiculously microphonic...

Disliked the Kenrads (which had little bass on the WA5 contrary to its reputation).

For something different, do you recommend the CV181 (which Woo suggests fits in the amp), B65 or RCA 5692?

 
I use the TS BGRP 6F8G with adapters. I personally like the better than the TS BGRP 6SN7 version.

 

[asindc]

   
I use the TS BGRP 6F8G with adapters. I personally like the better than the TS BGRP 6SN7 version.

Do you find the 6F8Gs less microphonic than the 6SN7 version?

 

[musicman59]

  Do you find the 6F8Gs less microphonic than the 6SN7 version?

Yes, I do but it varies from tubes to tubes.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

How do you test a tube for short without a tube tester is this possible?Thanks!

 

[isquirrel]

I have a RCA 6SN7-GT 1940's era, grey glass and a RCA 5692 Red Base 1950's, which would be the better tube?
 
Using an ALO Studio Six

 

[hypnos1]

  Recently got my hands on the new Psvane CV181-T and one thing is certain... its not a relabeled Shug Treasure.  Not even remotely similar.  The one I have is very clean, with great deep bottom end and extended treble without being V like.  Not a cheap tube and I could definitely do without the gold base but so far so good.

 
When I was trying different 6SN7s as power tubes in my Little Dot MKIV SE (with adapters!), I found the T-IIs just as you describe...wonderful clarity; good soundstage; depth and good detail in the bass...AND this all gets better with 30+ hours burn-in. I personally preferred them to even some nice VT231s and a pair of 7N7s. They were only surpassed - as power tubes, anyway - when we discovered the 6AS7Gs, but that's another story...
 
ps. Having seen (heard!) what the 6SN7 family can do, I managed to persuade a Polish amp maker to prototype a reasonably priced model using these as drivers, with a pair of 6AS7G/6080s (theirs being the Russian 6N13S) as powers. If anyone is interested in knowing more about this project - and any input re the 6SN7 would be MUCH appreciated - I started a thread recently..."Feliks-Audio...6SN7 + 6AS7G/6080 prototype"....All are welcome!

 

[TonyNewman]

   
When I was trying different 6SN7s as power tubes in my Little Dot MKIV SE (with adapters!), I found the T-IIs just as you describe...wonderful clarity; good soundstage; depth and good detail in the bass...AND this all gets better with 30+ hours burn-in. I personally preferred them to even some nice VT231s and a pair of 7N7s. They were only surpassed - as power tubes, anyway - when we discovered the 6AS7Gs, but that's another story...
 
ps. Having seen (heard!) what the 6SN7 family can do, I managed to persuade a Polish amp maker to prototype a reasonably priced model using these as drivers, with a pair of 6AS7G/6080s (theirs being the Russian 6N13S) as powers. If anyone is interested in knowing more about this project - and any input re the 6SN7 would be MUCH appreciated - I started a thread recently..."Feliks-Audio...6SN7 + 6AS7G/6080 prototype"....All are welcome!

 
Well done. Anything that helps put more quality new production tubes out there in the market is a very good thing

 
I am also having some success with the Psvane T11s. They have an epically long burn in (150+ hours), and the globe size can be a problem in the WA6 and WA5 - apart from that the sound is detailed and extended at both ends. Just lacking a little warmth and musicality - but burn in is far from complete for mine. Overall they are VERY good tubes - they beat all the NOS I have heard so far.

 

[punit]

I am also having some success with the Psvane T11s. They have an epically long burn in (150+ hours), and the globe size can be a problem in the WA6 and WA5 - apart from that the sound is detailed and extended at both ends. Just lacking a little warmth and musicality - but burn in is far from complete for mine. Overall they are VERY good tubes - they beat all the NOS I have heard so far.

Hi Tony, you mean the Psvane CV181 ? I am curious about the Psv's.  just so that I can have a point of reference, which NOS 6sn7's are you referring to ?

 

[TonyNewman]

  Hi Tony, you mean the Psvane CV181 ? I am curious about the Psv's.  just so that I can have a point of reference, which NOS 6sn7's are you referring to ?

 
I have tried a bunch of NOS 6SN7s. Best I have heard so far have been a pair of 50s Sylvania 6SN7GTA. These tubes have warmth and musicality, but in every other area the Psvane T2s kill them, even without full burn in. Bass and treble extension, detail, clarity, speed - all much superior in the T2s. The Sylvania's sound cloudy and constricted in comparison (but have nice warmth). The T2s are also very well balanced - they give an even and accurate presentation of the music - 'transparent' might be the right word.
 
These are the grey bottle 6SN7s labelled as CV-181s from Psvane, but they aren't - they are 6SN7s. Some bizarre marketing tactic that just confuses folks.
 
My plan is to match the T2s with warm rectifiers + 300Bs in my WA5. I think that will work well.
 
I have been so impressed with the Psvane T2s that I have taken the plunge and ordered some of their 1:1 replica tubes in 300B and 274B. I don't expect these tubes to replicate the legendary vintage WE sound 100%, but I am hoping they will be good sounding tubes that give a taste of that mid range magic. Considering the current pricing of vintage WE NOS, that is about as close as I am ever going to get.
 
I am a little surprised that the new production tubes have had so little attention in reviews and general discussion - there are some gems out there worth checking out.
 
EDIT - should have added that the T2s and Sylvania were roughly cost equivalent. My primo matched T2s were around $170 USD for the pair, and the Sylvanias were around $150. Not a big cost difference.
 
EDIT2 - My Mullard GZ32 rectifiers have arrived - these are small enough to allow me to put the Psvane T2s back in my WA6 (removing the EML 274B). Right away, with zero burn in on the GZ32, I am getting a superior sound with the T2s that I was with the Sylvania 6SN7GTAs plus EML 274B. The Mullard GZ32s are great value @ $70, the Sylvania 6SN7GTAs are not. I'd say the same about the EML 274B - not worth the $270ish price tag compared to the $70 GZ32. I think I will cancel my pending order for another EML 274B and purchase 3 (or 4) GZ32s instead.

 

[hypnos1]

   
Well done. Anything that helps put more quality new production tubes out there in the market is a very good thing

 
I am also having some success with the Psvane T11s. They have an epically long burn in (150+ hours), and the globe size can be a problem in the WA6 and WA5 - apart from that the sound is detailed and extended at both ends. Just lacking a little warmth and musicality - but burn in is far from complete for mine. Overall they are VERY good tubes - they beat all the NOS I have heard so far.

 
Thanks, TN...much appreciated.
 
Wow - 150+ hrs? So I wasn't even getting their full potential...This bodes well for my using them in the Feliks-Audio amp (when the prototype is finished - hopefully 2 to 3 weeks off now)...glad I didn't move them on after all!
 
Actually, I did find the PsVanes could sound a little on the light side with certain pieces of music...or, rather, certain recordings of same - not all recording engineers are equal! And despite bordering on heresy(!), this was remedied by mixing with a 7N7...used as power tubes, remember...

.(But , of course, it all depends on the rest of the set-up...these powers were driven by a pair of (wonderful) C3GSs - that I had to make adapters for - which I'm sure helped no end).
 
On the subject of NOS 6SN7s, member gibosi did find that the Sylvania 6SN7W was an excellent tube...but they look very pricey now...

 

[TonyNewman]

   
On the subject of NOS 6SN7s, member gibosi did find that the Sylvania 6SN7W was an excellent tube...but they look very pricey now...

 
The top tier 6SN7s are now hard to find and expensive. Try getting a matched pair of NOS Tung-Sol 6SN7GT round plates for under $300. The lesser 6SN7s (like the Sylvania 6SN7GTAs I have tried) were poor value for money to my ears. The T2s provide everything I am looking for except for the warmth - and I can fix that with careful pairing of rectifier/power tubes.
 
My WA6 now has the T2s in it with a GZ32 - and it has never sounded better. Total tube cost is less than an EML 274B.
 
The 150 hours is a minimum with the treasure series (Shuguang or Psvane). Some folks say 300 hours to fully mature. Mine are at around 100 hours and still improving. Similar deal with the Sophia 6SN7s - took over 100 hours for the harshness to fade with mine.

 

[punit]

   
The 150 hours is a minimum with the treasure series (Shuguang or Psvane). Some folks say 300 hours to fully mature. Mine are at around 100 hours and still improving. Similar deal with the Sophia 6SN7s - took over 100 hours for the harshness to fade with mine.

How do you find the Psv vs the Sophia 6SN7 ?