The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[meomap]

Have these on their way, a bit of an impulse purchase from Upscale Audio to use in my Feliks Elise.. All Upscale notes is that they are early Russian, found in a cave in Brazil, intriguing but not very specific. Can anyone help me ID their make / year of production?

I decided to go with this instead of yours.
Changed my mind at last moment.
Ordered one tube for my ALO Studio Six.
Will use it with Utopia and AFC.
Hope, it's worth it.
The amp designer said only worthy upgrade section of tubes in this amp are 6SN7 and 6V6 section.

 

[LoryWiv]

I decided to go with this instead of yours.
Changed my mind at last moment.
Ordered one tube for my ALO Studio Six.
Will use it with Utopia and AFC.
Hope, it's worth it.
The amp designer said only worthy upgrade section of tubes in this amp are 6SN7 and 6V6 section.

Nice, @meomap, let us know how you like this tube with your gear. For interest, where did you source it from?

 

[Ripper2860]

Thanks @Ripper2860 for the quick ID, and the insider knowledge about our friend Mr. Deal. Does he clean the pins as well or should I plan to do so when I receive them?

Mine arrived with squeaky-clean and shiny pins. I felt no need to clean them.

 

[LoryWiv]

Mine arrived with squeaky-clean and shiny pins. I felt no need to clean them.

Ah, the benefits of anal-compulsive behavior...

 

[meomap]

Nice, @meomap, let us know how you like this tube with your gear. For interest, where did you source it from?

If you meant bought from than Upscale Audio.

 

[LoryWiv]

If you meant bought from than Upscale Audio.

Nice...hope they sound great.

 

[bcowen]

I think you were joking...55 gallon drum of Deoxit?

Is there a link to the product...I'd like to check out the price first

Of course I was joking. As much as a little bottle of the stuff costs, I'd have to take out a 2nd mortgage for a 55 gallon drum.

 

[bcowen]

Have these on their way, a bit of an impulse purchase from Upscale Audio to use in my Feliks Elise. All Upscale notes is that they are early Russian, found in a cave in Brazil, intriguing but not very specific. Can anyone help me ID their make / year of production?

That particular tube is a 1965. The '60's are nice sounding tubes, but bettered by the '50's. Not huge differences between the '51 - '56 rib plates and the '57 - '59 smooth plates, but I think the ribbed versions are still a bit better. Note that the pin soldering on these can be questionable, whether it was poor workmanship or poor quality solder that has degraded over time. On the plus side if you bought them from Upscale you should get a properly working tube out of the box.

 

[triggsviola]

Thanks @Ripper2860 for the quick ID, and the insider knowledge about our friend Mr. Deal. Does he clean the pins as well or should I plan to do so when I receive them?

@triggsviola I hope they place nice with my Elise as drivers. I will pair them with either Tung Sol 5998's or 7236's. What powers did you pair them with in Euforia?

I’m still using the stock 6AS7G powers. I’ll get the 5998 soon.

 

[cddc]

Of course I was joking. As much as a little bottle of the stuff costs, I'd have to take out a 2nd mortgage for a 55 gallon drum.

True, the thing is costly for such a small bottle or tube.

I remember I saw 2 types of Deoxit. Jedi just posted one packed in small glass bottle, I think it is for cleansing only. The other type of Deoxit is packed in 2 tiny tubes (one tube for de-oxidation and one tube for protection).

Which one do you guys use?

 

[cddc]

I got a shaky shaky Tung Sol 6SN7GT, when I hold the base, the glass bottle can be swayed.

I read you guys recommended nail polish to stick a peeled off base back to tube. Not sure if nail polish works for the shaky shaky base? Or I should use some glue?

I don't know how to clean the dust between the glass bottle and base, should I just fill the gap with some nail polish regardless?

 

[bcowen]

True, the thing is costly for such a small bottle or tube.

I remember I saw 2 types of Deoxit. Jedi just posted one packed in small glass bottle, I think it is for cleansing only. The other type of Deoxit is packed in 2 tiny tubes (one tube for de-oxidation and one tube for protection).

Which one do you guys use?

I use the D5 in both spray and liquid form (depending on the application) and I also like the Fader Lube spray (safe for pots that have plastic contacts or wipers). I think the trick with either though is to use it very sparingly. I think many people just hose stuff down with it and that ends up causing more problems than it solves.

 

[bcowen]

I got a shaky shaky Tung Sol 6SN7GT, when I hold the base, the glass bottle can be swayed.

I read you guys recommended nail polish to stick a peeled off base back to tube. Not sure if nail polish works for the shaky shaky base? Or I should use some glue?

I don't know how to clean the dust between the glass bottle and base, should I just fill the gap with some nail polish regardless?

I like this best for regluing bottles to bases. I'm sure there's lots of different things that work as well, this is just what I use. Kind of a super glue on steroids. A drop placed at three points equidistant around the perimeter between the glass and the base works great, and I've yet to have a tube come loose after using this. Just let it dry overnight. Even though it's supposed to dry quickly, you'll have some (hopefully) seep between the glass and the base and that needs longer to cure. Best also to clean the spots where you'll be applying it. A Q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol though) works great -- just scrub with that on the two surfaces and get as much crud out of the crack between them as possible without damaging the tube.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGZBFJM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[cddc]

I use the D5 in both spray and liquid form (depending on the application) and I also like the Fader Lube spray (safe for pots that have plastic contacts or wipers). I think the trick with either though is to use it very sparingly. I think many people just hose stuff down with it and that ends up causing more problems than it solves.

I like this best for regluing bottles to bases. I'm sure there's lots of different things that work as well, this is just what I use. Kind of a super glue on steroids. A drop placed at three points equidistant around the perimeter between the glass and the base works great, and I've yet to have a tube come loose after using this. Just let it dry overnight. Even though it's supposed to dry quickly, you'll have some (hopefully) seep between the glass and the base and that needs longer to cure. Best also to clean the spots where you'll be applying it. A Q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol though) works great -- just scrub with that on the two surfaces and get as much crud out of the crack between them as possible without damaging the tube.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGZBFJM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Excellent recommendations and tips! Much appreciate it!

 

[sennfan83261]

Don't forget the headphones.... And according to sennfan83261 you haven't lived till you tried the CF8G VT-99 ... I kinda agree.

Damn, how is that Western Electric 421A+6F8G/VT-99 (Sylvania?) pairing?