The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[mourip]

Does anyone have experience using a Raytheon 2C50 as a replacement for a 12SN7? Brett Jesse used to carry them and lists them as a replacement. Depending upon what you read online they can be used or are not really a good replacement. I used them for a while in my LTA Microzotl Preamp and they sounded very good. I am considering them for my Lampizator Baltic 3 which allows use of 12 volt versions of the 6SN7 but after reading a questionable post from an "expert" decided to ask around.

Thanks!

 

[David222]

Ken-Rad Question:

Is the 9-Hole Top Mica / black plates (1940s) comparable to the VT-231 ?

 

[Ranger Ron]

Ken-Rad Question:

Is the 9-Hole Top Mica / black plates (1940s) comparable to the VT-231 ?

All the same regardless of base stampings. The Internals are what matter.

 

[Ranger Ron]

Ken-Rad Question:

Is the 9-Hole Top Mica / black plates (1940s) comparable to the VT-231 ?

I have KenRad’s labeled GE, VT231 and CBS, they all sound like KenRad. Some people think the black glass sound better, some think there is no difference.

 

[musicinmymind]

I just noticed on a headphone site that someone is selling a Lyr 3 with four Foton tubes, some of which have the tubes re-soldered. It appears more and more people are learning about the solder in some of the Russian tube pins.

What solder you are refering to, I can use Foton with Darkstar without any solder and just sounds awesome.

 

[Paladin79]

What solder you are refering to, I can use Foton with Darkstar without any solder and just sounds awesome.

If you work with enough Fotons you can discover that their sonic qualities drift in and out, it was once thought they needed 100 hours of burn in. A lot of the sought after Fotons are from the early fifties and thus are 65 to 70 years old. I have found the solder to be breaking down inside the tube pins and I remove and replace the old solder just as I would with some of the other Russian tubes like Melz and Svetlana. Tung Sol 5998's can even exhibit this to some extent. I ran some experiments for those believing in the 100 hour burn in and found after replacing the solder in the pins the burn in was closer to ten hours. Some of the tubes stored away after the 100 hours burn in, without replacing the solder were back to square one, they can be a sonic roller coaster ride for a while. I worked through some of this with @bcowen and he probably has the largest collection of Foton tubes known to man.

 

[musicinmymind]

If you work with enough Fotons you can discover that their sonic qualities drift in and out, it was once thought they needed 100 hours of burn in. A lot of the sought after Fotons are from the early fifties and thus are 65 to 70 years old. I have found the solder to be breaking down inside the tube pins and I remove and replace the old solder just as I would with some of the other Russian tubes like Melz and Svetlana. Tung Sol 5998's can even exhibit this to some extent. I ran some experiments for those believing in the 100 hour burn in and found after replacing the solder in the pins the burn in was closer to ten hours. Some of the tubes stored away after the 100 hours burn in, without replacing the solder were back to square one, they can be a sonic roller coaster ride for a while. I worked through some of this with @bcowen and he probably has the largest collection of Foton tubes known to man.

Thanks for letting me know, after reading @bcowen posts I did try them.
57's was just ok, but 52 one's is really awesome sounding tube right out of box, My brother had them unused.

Hope soldering holds up and I will have no issues.

 

[Paladin79]

Thanks for letting me know, after reading @bcowen posts I did try them.
57's was just ok, but 52 one's is really awesome sounding tube right out of box, My brother had them unused.

Hope soldering holds up and I will have no issues.

I have re-soldered so many I have lost count. Mr. Cowen is now discovering why I like the Melz 1578's from the fifties and early sixties so much, they can be ten times the cost of a Foton or more, the Foton is a great tube for the price. I buy directly from friends in Russia but it is taking a couple months to get product right now.

 

[musicinmymind]

I have re-soldered so many I have lost count. Mr. Cowen is now discovering why I like the Melz 1578's from the fifties and early sixties so much, they can be ten times the cost of a Foton or more, the Foton is a great tube for the price. I buy directly from friends in Russia but it is taking a couple months to get product right now.

Melz like this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/172487222716?hash=item28290a25bc:g:CLUAAOSw6NVeHSKs

 

[JTbbb]

Melz like this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/172487222716?hash=item28290a25bc:g:CLUAAOSw6NVeHSKs

That looks pretty good compared to these. But I think the date would be good to know. Mr Palladin is the expert though.

 

[Isaacc7]

Does anyone have experience using a Raytheon 2C50 as a replacement for a 12SN7? Brett Jesse used to carry them and lists them as a replacement. Depending upon what you read online they can be used or are not really a good replacement. I used them for a while in my LTA Microzotl Preamp and they sounded very good. I am considering them for my Lampizator Baltic 3 which allows use of 12 volt versions of the 6SN7 but after reading a questionable post from an "expert" decided to ask around.

Thanks!

I too am interested in hearing about people's experiences with the 2c50. I bought some because my preamp uses 12sn7 tubes but the maker told me I should not put anything in it that isn't a direct replacement for it like a 14n7. I may be commissioning an amp later in the year that can use a variety of 12v double triodes.

 

[musicinmymind]

That looks pretty good compared to these. But I think the date would be good to know. Mr Palladin is the expert though.

Will wait for Mr Palladin to confirm, right now just enjoying Fotons.

Thanks to @bcowen

 

[Paladin79]

Melz like this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/172487222716?hash=item28290a25bc:g:CLUAAOSw6NVeHSKs

You want the metal supports at the top, those are ok but you should search for a better price.

 

[Paladin79]

Will wait for Mr Palladin to confirm, right now just enjoying Fotons.

Thanks to @bcowen

I would have to see the Melz logo but if those are 1963 that is a good year. 1961 is amazing but I have only seen one and I own it.

 

[JTbbb]

You want the metal supports at the top, those are ok but you should search for a better price.

Ah yes, closer examination of the tube musicinmymind refers to seems to show plastic supports at the top.