The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[ilikepooters]

So I really don't know what NOS 6SN7 tubes are considered le creme de le creme, but I kind of have an idea what new stock tubes might be, Sophia https://www.ebay.com/i/163472178030?chn=psand Black Treasure https://www.ebay.com/itm/CV181-Z-Sh...-6SN7-6N8P-6H8C/223139362664?var=521952360483 Or should I just go with NOS tubes?

There are some really good current production 6SN7's, PS Vane globe from grant fidelity, ShuGuang CV181-Z etc.

For NOS there isn't a lot of top tier tubes that aren't unobtanium

Brimar 13D2 (ultra rare)
Marconi / Osram B65 (ultra rare, ultra expensive)
MELZ (Genuine 1578) (pretty rare in good working order, most of them crackle and need solder reflowing)
Brimar (clear glass with orange print / or black glass white print) (expensive)
Sylvania 6SN7W (very expensive)
Mullard ECC33 (ultra expensive, not an exact equivalent)

Geniune Sylvania bad boy is a good tube, but warm, definitely not neutral. can be $60+
Westinghouse 6SN7GTB D getter (can be found quite cheap, very solid all rounder)

 

[ggillies]

So a Facebook follower just got wind of my new hobby and is bringing his junk from his garage for me to take a peek at, see anything worth keeping?

That Sylvania looks interesting! P.S. you have your West Marine user name and password showing in the photo.!

 

[JKDJedi]

That Sylvania looks interesting! P.S. you have your West Marine user name and password showing in the photo.!

LMAO...oops...better delete that..thanks!!

 

[JKDJedi]

There are some really good current production 6SN7's, PS Vane globe from grant fidelity, ShuGuang CV181-Z etc.

For NOS there isn't a lot of top tier tubes that aren't unobtanium

Brimar 13D2 (ultra rare)
Marconi / Osram B65 (ultra rare, ultra expensive)
MELZ (Genuine 1578) (pretty rare in good working order, most of them crackle and need solder reflowing)
Brimar (clear glass with orange print / or black glass white print) (expensive)
Sylvania 6SN7W (very expensive)
Mullard ECC33 (ultra expensive, not an exact equivalent)

Geniune Sylvania bad boy is a good tube, but warm, definitely not neutral. can be $60+
Westinghouse 6SN7GTB D getter (can be found quite cheap, very solid all rounder)

Thanks for the Westinghouse 6SN7GTB recommendation... that tube mated with a relative inexpensive 6080WC NOS Philips on my Darkvoice has turned my HD6XX into a complete different headphone...my god,,,the wide sound stage and overall tonality of the combo for the price has me blown away.. now what to do with the rest of my tubes

 

[MLGrado]

Tungsol Tall Bottle black plates
RCA VT-231 from 40's, gray glass
Ken Rad VT-231 from 40's---- my current favorite.

Also, don't knock the early Russian tubes (1578 is indeed the best, almost ubobtanium, but there are a SLEW of 1950's early production FOTON 6H8C, that are TRULY NOS, boxes never opened. They were so cheap and knowing they were still sealed, I bought around 100 of them. I am good stock with 6SN7 forever now. The later versions don't sound as good, and stick to FOTON, stay away from the others, like NEVS. But the early versions I mentioned are EXCELLENT tubes for not a lot of $$$. Better than any new production I have heard, for significantly less money.

 

[ilikepooters]

I think the NEVZ are OK, nothing spectacular but there are far worse 6SN7's for a whole lot more money.

 

[JKDJedi]

So from the box of tubes I posted about a few weeks back, found one tube that I can use...lol, it's a 9 pin tube so I had to get 9 to 8 pin adapter from Ebay, took forever to get here. the tube I found is the Raytheon 12AT7WA. This puppy puts out a loud dynamic (think, dam, i can really hear how hard he's strumming that guitar) sound, and deepest bass from a preamp tube to date for me, mind you I've only been dancing with the devil since the holidays. (aka tuberolling) I did a quick check on voltage use with the 6SN7 tubes and they are about 6.3 volts to heat the center, checked on the 12AT7 tubes and the center is heated at 6.3 and 12.6.. So I'm thinking I have a keeper here.

 

[attmci]

So from the box of tubes I posted about a few weeks back, found one tube that I can use...lol, it's a 9 pin tube so I had to get 9 to 8 pin adapter from Ebay, took forever to get here. the tube I found is the Raytheon 12AT7WA. This puppy puts out a loud dynamic (think, dam, i can really hear how hard he's strumming that guitar) sound, and deepest bass from a preamp tube to date for me, mind you I've only been dancing with the devil since the holidays. (aka tuberolling) I did a quick check on voltage use with the 6SN7 tubes and they are about 6.3 volts to heat the center, checked on the 12AT7 tubes and the center is heated at 6.3 and 12.6.. So I'm thinking I have a keeper here.

You know the 12AT7 has a AF of 60 (vs 6SN7's 20) right?

 

[JKDJedi]

You know the 12AT7 has a AF of 60 (vs 6SN7's 20) right?

Ok, what is AF? Sounds like maybe not a go?

 

[leftside]

12AT7's... another rabbit hole to jump down. And 12AX7, and 12AU7 The GEC B309 are probably my favorite 12AT7 variant. I use those in my two main amps. The Raytheon windmill getter 12AX7 is a fabulous tube, and I use those in the MC phono stage of my preamp. If your amp can handle them, then I say go for it. Amazing sound from these little tubes.

 

[JKDJedi]

12AT7's... another rabbit hole to jump down. And 12AX7, and 12AU7 The GEC B309 are probably my favorite 12AT7 variant. I use those in my two main amps. The Raytheon windmill getter 12AX7 is a fabulous tube, and I use those in the MC phono stage of my preamp. If your amp can handle them, then I say go for it. Amazing sound from these little tubes.

Thanks, hasnt blown up yet.. But you never know.. It is a few decibels louder.. Great sound, best yet for me. Just not sure how long it's gonna stay there.. Any 6SN7 tubes that you know might mimic the 12AT7WA?

Lol..just reread your comment...12AX7 .. Well, if the Darkvoice336se can handle it, I'll flirt with the idea of getting one.

 

[leftside]

Thanks, hasnt blown up yet.. But you never know.. It is a few decibels louder.. Great sound, best yet for me. Just not sure how long it's gonna stay there.. Any 6SN7 tubes that you know might mimic the 12AT7WA?

Afraid not. They are totally different tubes. Always tough to compare tubes when the gain is different. Our ears tend to believe louder = better. The Raytheon 12AT7 are good though.

 

[attmci]

12AT7's... another rabbit hole to jump down. And 12AX7, and 12AU7 The GEC B309 are probably my favorite 12AT7 variant. I use those in my two main amps. The Raytheon windmill getter 12AX7 is a fabulous tube, and I use those in the MC phono stage of my preamp. If your amp can handle them, then I say go for it. Amazing sound from these little tubes.

12au7 and 12at7 also has different AF.
It will kill you or your headphones if you used on some amps.

 

[JKDJedi]

12au7 and 12at7 also has different AF.
It will kill you or your headphones if you used on some amps.

Thanks for the info, I had to go edit a few posts I did about it, warning them it could explode their headphones. It did sound .....loud? So yeah, guilty with the louder has to be better crowd...the live tracks sounded so real. :.( Tito..pass me a tissue.

 

[mourip]

Ok, what is AF?

Audio Frequency gain.

Most folks just say "gain". It is the factor by which the input signal is multiplied by a given device.

With a higher gain tube you will find yourself using a lower volume setting to get the same effective volume. This may mean that you are using less of your source signal and increasing noise relative to signal.

It may work just fine but only your own ears can tell.