[Isaacc7]

9th week, 1953

So it would qualify as a BB 12sn7? I'll pop them in and see how they sound.

 

[Ripper2860]

Yep. Let us know what you think.

 

[bcowen]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1645992...8Iuu-lvSmC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

He's charging an arm and two legs.

Thanks for all the info BTW. I just need one 6sn7 badboy for my Apex peak amp. I have a 2 hole Syl 6sn7gt and I thought that sounded marvellous.

Everything from that particular seller is horrendously overpriced.

 

[bcowen]

Not a Bad Boy. It must have a rectangle bottom mica (this is what I call a racetrack shape), rectangle top mica with 3 downward spikes on each short side of the top mica, and 3- hole plates. MFG date should be late 1951 to early 1953. No legit Bad Boys were ever labeled VT-231, IIRC.

Note: I have 3 legit Bad Boys and while they are good tubes, they tend to be a bit over-rated and certainly not worth some of today's prices, IMHO. Saying any one tube is the best is a bit unrealistic as synergy with your equipment is key along with one's sonic preference. There are lot of good tubes out there and some may rank even or above the BB. The 40's Sylvania VT-231s, CBS/Hytron or RCA 5692, legit Sylvania Chrome Domes, Ken-Rad VT-231s, and a favorite of mine, Westinghouse GTB with rectangle getter and offset black ladder plates. Several come in at less than what the legit Bad Boys can be found.

Totally agree. Nice sounding tubes, but not the end-all, be-all that they have been hyped up to be. Reminds me of the red base RCA 5691 that a while back were going for $200+ a piece. Again, a very nice sounding tube but not worth crazy prices.

 

[Isaacc7]

Yep. Let us know what you think.

My initial impressions are that compared to the TS round plate these Sylvanias have more prominent high frequencies. Makes them sound a little lightweight in comparison. Not that they're bass shy but more like the mids are overshadowed by the highs. That does help it sound airier, plus strings in guitars have more bite.

They actually remind me quite a bit of the round plate Sylvania *j5gt tubes. Someone earlier in the thread had asked if there were similar sounding tubes, they might want to get an adapter and try some of those. It would certainly be less expensive than getting proper "bad boys." I use 12j5gt tubes in my preamp but I assume the 6j5gt would sound the same. I'll keep listening to these for a few days and then switch over to the 12j5 and update.

 

[Ripper2860]

Pretty much my impression of BBs, as well. My preference is a more balanced, fuller, and lush sound without being thick or gooey. (Technical audiophile terms.).

I listen to mostly jazz and acoustic instruments, so the mids and timbre is where it is at for me.

 

[Isaacc7]

Pretty much my impression of BBs, as well. My preference is a more balanced, fuller, and lush sound without being thick or gooey. (Technical audiophile terms.).

I listen to mostly jazz and acoustic instruments, so the mids and timbre is where it is at for me.

I've lost track, what are your preferred 6sn7? My preamp can only use 6/12sn7 and exact analogs so I have settled in on the Tungsol round plate and the Raytheon 6f8g t plates. My amp can use a wide variety of twin triodes and I love the bl63 with a lot of output tubes for that rich, lush sound.

 

[Contrails]

not sure but these look genuine bad boys?

 

[Ripper2860]

I've lost track, what are your preferred 6sn7?

These are a few lush/tubey 6SN7 favs in no particular order. Remember, tube/gear synergy plays a HUGE role.

A bit Lush/Tubey (on the warmer side)
1943-45 RCA Gray Glass VT-231
40's Ken-Rad black glass VT-231
Westinghouse Reliatron 6SN7GTB (top D getter, black / offset ladder plates)

Other good ones that I would not call Lush/Tubey
Brimar CV1988 smoked glass
Mid-50's and earlier Photon
Mid-50's and earlier Melz 1578

 

[Erwinatm]

Guys, I have several 6SN7s on hand, please enlighten me how rare and valuable are these 6SN7s? Thanks beforehand.

Ken Rad 6SN7GT - heavy bass

Mullard ECC33 - I like the sound except gain is very high. Is it Not fully compatible with 6SN7GT?

TS Jan 6SN7/ VT231

TS 6SN7GTB, Black Plate. More airy and tighter bass to TS 6SN7 new production. I like them.

 

[TLO]

Guys, I have several 6SN7s on hand, please enlighten me how rare and valuable are these 6SN7s? Thanks beforehand.

Ken Rad 6SN7GT - heavy bass

Mullard ECC33 - I like the sound except gain is very high. Is it Not fully compatible with 6SN7GT?

TS Jan 6SN7/ VT231

TS 6SN7GTB, Black Plate. More airy and tighter bass to TS 6SN7 new production. I like them.

Phew...thanks God, there is no GE..

 

[Contrails]

Pulled the trigger on them. $290 delivered to Australia. I just needed one from my Apex Peak amp. I do have a 2 hole 6sn7gt already.

They met the requirements in the below quote from Ripper2860 - "The true Bad Boy was made late '51 to early '53, was labeled as a 6SN7GT or JAN-CHS 6SN7GT, has bottom chrome flashing approx. 1/3 of the way up the bottom of the tube, has rectangular top and bottom mica with the top mica having 3x spikes on each short side of the top mica. The Bad Boy also has black T-plates with 3x rivet holes per plate and copper support rods protruding up through the top mica. **"

 

[rawheadjim]

Thanks for confirming! I need to watch what I say until I'm sure of this stuff....still learning.

 

[Slade01]

These are a few lush/tubey 6SN7 favs in no particular order. Remember, tube/gear synergy plays a HUGE role.

A bit Lush/Tubey (on the warmer side)
Westinghouse Reliatron 6SN7GTB (top D getter, black / offset ladder plates)

Of course YMMV but that Westinghouse Reliatron is a true diamond in the rough kind of thing.

 

[Isaacc7]

These are a few lush/tubey 6SN7 favs in no particular order. Remember, tube/gear synergy plays a HUGE role.

A bit Lush/Tubey (on the warmer side)
1943-45 RCA Gray Glass VT-231
40's Ken-Rad black glass VT-231
Westinghouse Reliatron 6SN7GTB (top D getter, black / offset ladder plates)

Other good ones that I would not call Lush/Tubey
Brimar CV1988 smoked glass
Mid-50's and earlier Photon
Mid-50's and earlier Melz 1578

Do you have any experience with the Mullard ecc31 or 32? How about the BL63/cv1102/vr102? Those aren’t directly compatible with the 6sn7 but assuming the equipment can handle the increased current draw they can be used (with adapters) instead. I haven’t much luck so far in getting the ecc31 to gel with my system but the cv1102 is just straight up magic IMO.