The Reference 6SN7 Thread

Feb 6, 2023 at 7:43 AM Post #8,401 of 10,669
I probably should post this here for UK users, some cheap (relatively, by today's standards) RFT 6SN7 with the ceramic construction propped up recently, I bought them immediately but the seller had to shipped them via the ebay global shipping program because of the Royal Mail disruption....

well I post this here so needless to say something happened, the fine checking blokes at the ebay's facility deemed it unsuitable for shipping (??), so I got a full refund, and the seller can't get the pair back. I don't know how true it is, but I read that they will attempt to auction them off to recoup their losses, where I do not know, but the item was last checked at Staffordshire.

They aren't tightly matched but they test good and most importantly the prices aren't the level that you see currently. Maybe its worth it for you to ask the ebay folks if they will sell them off. Worst case they will dispose of them which makes me internally ill.
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 9:00 AM Post #8,402 of 10,669
Hi all im a bit new to the 6SN7 tubes. i recently bought a TA26 and looking for some recommendations on tubes. i Currently have a Sylvania (Silvertone Sears) 6sn7GTB and the stock tubes form Xduoo i was also wonder about the 6AS7/6080 replacements. Any tips on some affordable replacements would be appreciated
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 11:56 AM Post #8,403 of 10,669
I probably should post this here for UK users, some cheap (relatively, by today's standards) RFT 6SN7 with the ceramic construction propped up recently, I bought them immediately but the seller had to shipped them via the ebay global shipping program because of the Royal Mail disruption....

well I post this here so needless to say something happened, the fine checking blokes at the ebay's facility deemed it unsuitable for shipping (??), so I got a full refund, and the seller can't get the pair back. I don't know how true it is, but I read that they will attempt to auction them off to recoup their losses, where I do not know, but the item was last checked at Staffordshire.

They aren't tightly matched but they test good and most importantly the prices aren't the level that you see currently. Maybe its worth it for you to ask the ebay folks if they will sell them off. Worst case they will dispose of them which makes me internally ill.
This has happened to me twice. I’ve had plenty make it through fine. But the ones that got seized by eBay, there was no real explanation and the sellers were left in the dark with no way to get the items back. eBay global shipping seems like a seller’s nightmare. Sorry you didn’t get the tubes you ordered.
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM Post #8,404 of 10,669
I probably should post this here for UK users, some cheap (relatively, by today's standards) RFT 6SN7 with the ceramic construction propped up recently, I bought them immediately but the seller had to shipped them via the ebay global shipping program because of the Royal Mail disruption....

well I post this here so needless to say something happened, the fine checking blokes at the ebay's facility deemed it unsuitable for shipping (??), so I got a full refund, and the seller can't get the pair back. I don't know how true it is, but I read that they will attempt to auction them off to recoup their losses, where I do not know, but the item was last checked at Staffordshire.

They aren't tightly matched but they test good and most importantly the prices aren't the level that you see currently. Maybe its worth it for you to ask the ebay folks if they will sell them off. Worst case they will dispose of them which makes me internally ill.
I purchased the third one as it was a construction match for a single that I have (two inverted small cup getters on the top). Sorry to hear yours have been lost. It's not the first time I've heard of such a thing unfortunately with the global shipping program, and they tend to never be seen again :frowning2:
 
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Feb 6, 2023 at 12:11 PM Post #8,405 of 10,669
Hi all im a bit new to the 6SN7 tubes. i recently bought a TA26 and looking for some recommendations on tubes. i Currently have a Sylvania (Silvertone Sears) 6sn7GTB and the stock tubes form Xduoo i was also wonder about the 6AS7/6080 replacements. Any tips on some affordable replacements would be appreciated
This site can give you a good overview. Prices are high though, but at least with Brent there will be no arguments or hassle if he sends you a tube that isn't as advertised.
https://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm

There's plenty of really good US NOS 6SN7's out there. The European versions tend to be more expensive and truly genuine NOS are becoming harder and harder to find. I'm a huge fan of the 1940's and very early 1950's Sylvania black base tubes. The Sylvania you have is already a pretty good reasonably priced tube.

The RCA 6AS7 still seem to be reasonably priced:
http://www.audiotubes.com/audtube.htm
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 12:12 PM Post #8,406 of 10,669
I purchased the third one as it was a construction match for a single that I have (two inverted small cup getters on the top). Sorry to hear yours have been lost. It's not the first time I've heard of such a thing unfortunately with the global shipping program, and they tend to never be seen again :frowning2:
I did not have problems with the global shipping program (which I almost never use), but I had a problem with a quad of tubes arriving in the US from Russia and getting lost in customs. I bought the items on eBay, using PayPal, and at the end PayPal refunded me in full. The only explanation I can come up with is that the customs people looked at the tubes and thought that the getter flashing was mercury and seized them, but that is just a wild guess...
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 12:17 PM Post #8,407 of 10,669
This site can give you a good overview. Prices are high though, but at least with Brent there will be no arguments or hassle if he sends you a tube that isn't as advertised.
https://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm

There's plenty of really good US NOS 6SN7's out there. The European versions tend to be more expensive and truly genuine NOS are becoming harder and harder to find. I'm a huge fan of the 1940's and very early 1950's Sylvania black base tubes. The Sylvania you have is already a pretty good reasonably priced tube.

The RCA 6AS7 still seem to be reasonably priced:
http://www.audiotubes.com/audtube.htm
The Sylvania 6080 is also a good budget choice - you should be able to find a pair for $20.
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 12:18 PM Post #8,408 of 10,669
This site can give you a good overview. Prices are high though, but at least with Brent there will be no arguments or hassle if he sends you a tube that isn't as advertised.
https://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm

There's plenty of really good US NOS 6SN7's out there. The European versions tend to be more expensive and truly genuine NOS are becoming harder and harder to find. I'm a huge fan of the 1940's and very early 1950's Sylvania black base tubes. The Sylvania you have is already a pretty good reasonably priced tube.

The RCA 6AS7 still seem to be reasonably priced:
http://www.audiotubes.com/audtube.htm
Great thanks for the info. do you have any experience with the Psvane 6sn7 or any of the EH or New Tung Sols from Russia?
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 12:20 PM Post #8,409 of 10,669
Great thanks for the info. do you have any experience with the Psvane 6sn7 or any of the EH or New Tung Sols from Russia?
No sorry, I don't have experience with any of the new production 6SN7. Too many good old production 6SN7 still out there for me to be messing with the new production tubes.
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 12:22 PM Post #8,410 of 10,669
I probably should post this here for UK users, some cheap (relatively, by today's standards) RFT 6SN7 with the ceramic construction propped up recently, I bought them immediately but the seller had to shipped them via the ebay global shipping program because of the Royal Mail disruption....

well I post this here so needless to say something happened, the fine checking blokes at the ebay's facility deemed it unsuitable for shipping (??), so I got a full refund, and the seller can't get the pair back. I don't know how true it is, but I read that they will attempt to auction them off to recoup their losses, where I do not know, but the item was last checked at Staffordshire.

They aren't tightly matched but they test good and most importantly the prices aren't the level that you see currently. Maybe its worth it for you to ask the ebay folks if they will sell them off. Worst case they will dispose of them which makes me internally ill.

This has happened to me twice. I’ve had plenty make it through fine. But the ones that got seized by eBay, there was no real explanation and the sellers were left in the dark with no way to get the items back. eBay global shipping seems like a seller’s nightmare. Sorry you didn’t get the tubes you ordered.

I did not have problems with the global shipping program (which I almost never use), but I had a problem with a quad of tubes arriving in the US from Russia and getting lost in customs. I bought the items on eBay, using PayPal, and at the end PayPal refunded me in full. The only explanation I can come up with is that the customs people looked at the tubes and thought that the getter flashing was mercury and seized them, but that is just a wild guess...
I've heard plenty of issues using eBay Global Shipping for tubes. Apparently half the time the tubes will be declared "dangerous goods" and get refused clearance.
Quite a few sellers will refuse to use the GSP for this very reason

<edit> Also, IME, the GSP actually has been more expensive the just using standard shipping and paying the duties/taxes myself. Personally, I will use the "make offer" option (when available) if a seller only has GSP to cover the difference
 
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Feb 6, 2023 at 12:48 PM Post #8,411 of 10,669
is anyone familiar with any of the newer production 6SN7 tube by Psvane , Linlai or from EH and Tung sol? im curious if they are any good.
 
Feb 6, 2023 at 6:29 PM Post #8,412 of 10,669
Sorry for the 12V content in the 6V thread, but am wondering if anyone can help my ID this tube. It was sold/labeled as a Fivre 12SN7. But I can't find any reference images of a Fivre 12SN7 with this construction and am wondering if this is a misprint and actually a 12SL7? Can anyone confirm? I can't run 12SL7 so want to be sure before I try.

2023-02-06 15.24.16.jpg
 
Feb 7, 2023 at 6:02 AM Post #8,414 of 10,669
Ive got a pair of NOS tubes and the pins are oxidized. Is it safe to insert the tubes in the amp like they are?
I personally would clean them using deoxit which is a cleaning spray for electronics. If you don't you could end up corroding the socket in your amp
 
Feb 7, 2023 at 7:24 AM Post #8,415 of 10,669
Ive got a pair of NOS tubes and the pins are oxidized. Is it safe to insert the tubes in the amp like they are?
Brass brush on a rotary tool works wonders. If you don't have one, just get a small brass bristle brush from the hardware store.
 

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