The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[LobalWarming]

Thanks for the assist, @TLO @UntilThen @JTbbb. Haha in general I prefer an SS-ish sound so I was looking at Eddie Current or UltraSonic (God bless Tomas soul) tube amps that seem to be more neutral and less romantic in nature. The Balancing Act with Kron PX4 output tubes in my system is almost too neutral sounding so I feel that a sweeter driver tube should help to balance the overall sound better. I hope the Brimar and Mullard is the answer.

At first I wanted to get the Melz 1578 that seems to be highly regarded but I don't know man, after rolling the loaners that I have at the moment I'm not sure it will work well...

Since the BA uses a single 6SN7, you are free to explore the delightful Twin realm as well. Brimar 6J5GT/6J5G pairs could be an excellent starting point for a thermionic pub crawl from Rochester (STC) to Hammersmith (GEC), before replenishing your wallet for the arduous journey across the continent from Visseaux to Fivre.

 

[Powermankw]

Thanks for the assist, @TLO @UntilThen @JTbbb. Haha in general I prefer an SS-ish sound so I was looking at Eddie Current or UltraSonic (God bless Tomas soul) tube amps that seem to be more neutral and less romantic in nature. The Balancing Act with Kron PX4 output tubes in my system is almost too neutral sounding so I feel that a sweeter driver tube should help to balance the overall sound better. I hope the Brimar and Mullard is the answer.

At first I wanted to get the Melz 1578 that seems to be highly regarded but I don't know man, after rolling the loaners that I have at the moment I'm not sure it will work well...

I have never had tube gear and was reluctant... Who doesn't want dynamics and punch. Clean is just given. But The LTA ZOTL manages to save that, but give all the goodness of tubes. Once I heard it... No going back. Now with Lampi DAC, just damn!

I don't have the vast experience that others do. I read opinions and try to get what I think I want. I have not been disappointed. In general, that sweet warm suryp tube sound... I don't know what that is. I have ran all Mullard and if that's it, no thanks. But I have never heard any SS that had the detail and resolution tubes can get.

In general, I want everything. The general sterotypes I found to be true... British is warm. It's not that it doesn't have good top end, it's just that what it does for botyom end is pure magic. Same as German... Tele/Siemens. It's not that it doesn't have bottom end, it's just that the top end is pure magical. Holland/French/American... Lots of good stuff, good all rounders. I have Mullard, Tele, RCA, Mazda, Sylvania, soon Brimar. Mixed and matched to my liking... Extended, detailed, grand canyon for bass, magic vocal mids, extended, sparkle, space, air, decay on top.... Magic. SS can't touch it.

I also have no desire to try every obscure combination possible. I tried some stuff, found what I liked, and I'm done. You can definitely get it where you want. Don't be afraid to try some different stuff to see. You don't have to give up anything with tubes.

 

[UntilThen]

I could see it. It's circuit dependent. I always caution against making sweeping generalizations about certain tubes. For example, I had always heard that grey glass RAC 6sn7 tubes were warm and lush sounding. In my amp they inevitably cause dry and flat sound. Gotta try stuff in your amp and with your headphones/speakers.

Never. I've used TS and KR across several amps and it doesn't change their tone completely. You will never mistake a TS bgrp and KR for anything else. Agressive they are not.

 

[UntilThen]

These are the amps I've used TS bgrp and KR in and there is always a consistent sound signature. These are mainstream old school amps.

GOTL
Woo Audio Wa22
Feliks Audio Elise and Euforia
Odyssey
ALO Audio Studio Six
Darkvoice 336se

 

[Wes S]

Stavros would have been able to advise you. He's an old timer with lots of great tubes and he had the Balancing Act. Don't see him around for a while.

Stavros is the man!

 

[UntilThen]

Stavros is the man!

He sold me a pair of GEC 6AS7G NIB and several other tubes. This is a long time ago.

 

[TLO]

These are the amps I've used TS bgrp and KR in and there is always a consistent sound signature. These are mainstream old school amps.

GOTL
Woo Audio Wa22
Feliks Audio Elise and Euforia
Odyssey
ALO Audio Studio Six
Darkvoice 336se

Perhaps you have mistaken my point, I am emphasizing comparison between TS, KR, Mullard, Brimar, etc here. Yes, I have also observed that these tubes have a consistent sound signature between 2 amp I have tried so far. When I said TS and KR sound aggressive, I dont mean they sound bad...just making a comparison with Mullard and Brimar in general. Anyway, these are the amps and speakers (a huge factor in the final sound production) I have tried so far...

1. Line Magnetic LM-508
2. Raphaelite ES30
3. Sonus Faber Minima Amator II
4. Omega Super 7 MK2

 

[UntilThen]

When I said TS and KR sound aggressive, I dont mean they sound bad...just making a comparison with Mullard and Brimar in general.

I still wouldn't use the word agressive in comparison with Mullard and Brimar. TS bgrp is a smooth, well balanced tube. The old timers on this thread consider it the 6sn7 holy grail.

 

[UntilThen]

This Tung Sol 6F8G bgrp which is similar tonally to the TS 6sn7gt bgrp. I'm using it in Ultima now. Superb sounding tube.

 

[TLO]

I still wouldn't use the word agressive in comparison with Mullard and Brimar. TS bgrp is a smooth, well balanced tube. The old timers on this thread consider it the 6sn7 holy grail.

Ok, fair enough, so how do I describe the sound signature of TS compared to Mullard, Brimar or MWT?

BTW, I am running a pair of TS 6C8G with Mullard M8162 now.

 

[UntilThen]

I'm also running Mullard M8136.

 

[UntilThen]

And those are the Brimar CV1988 in the Wa5 I spend 2 weeks with ... and Takatsuki 300b.

 

[UntilThen]

Brimar CV1988 are warmer. TS bgrp less so but agressive they are not.

 

[TLO]

Brimar CV1988 are warmer. TS bgrp less so but agressive they are not.

so, how do I describe TS sound compared relatively to Brimar?
Again, I dont mean TS sound bad when I commented that it sounds more aggressive compared to British tubes in general.

 

[UntilThen]

so, how do I describe TS sound compared relatively to Brimar?

I would consider TS bgrp as more linear compared to the warmer sounding Brimar CV1988.

Of course if you compare Sylvania 6sn7w metal base with TS bgrp then the TS becomes warmer. It's all relative.