The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[Paladin79]

I too preferred the Melz (1954 and 1973) to the TSRP in my WA22 and sold the TSRP. When I said less euphoric I didn't mean to imply the Melz was inferior, just less rose tinted.
I now prefer the Mullard ECC32 in the WA22.

The 1954 is a wonderful year for the Melz.

Oh yeah I was not dependent on how Melz might sound in a particular amp. I designed my own and we used four of them in testing. They were made to show off 6sn7 sound and according to several folks I built them for, I accomplished that goal.

 

[Paladin79]

I am curious...in general, what tracks or genres your group used for testing.

We had music specifically recorded that showed off each criteria we wanted to demonstrate. Some jazz, some classical, some classic rock etc. Each tester was educated in what to listen for on each track. Senn HD 800 headphones were used. The only power tubes used were Tung Sol 5998’s and I built every cable used.

 

[TLO]

I dunno what else to try next, Sylvania short bottle 6SN7W maybe?

Nah....too boring....lol

 

[Galapac]

RCA 5692 red bottom is a fun tube.

 

[Paladin79]

RCA 5692 red bottom is a fun tube.

Very nice. RCA used to be big in my area. Largest color television plant in the world was here. We tested a couple 6SN7’s that a friends grandfather had designed. We knew values of most tubes but those were one of a kind and in a sense priceless. I was scared to death handling them.

 

[K3cT]

Nah....too boring....lol

So far from what I tested my top 3 in no particular order:

1. GEC / Osram L63
2. Mullard ECC33
3. National Union RP 6F8G

Tested in my EC Balancing Act with Utopia OG. My amp leans neutral and fast which makes driver tube selection trickier than usual.

 

[Paladin79]

So far from what I tested my top 3 in no particular order:

1. GEC / Osram L63
2. Mullard ECC33
3. National Union RP 6F8G

Tested in my EC Balancing Act with Utopia OG. My amp leans neutral and fast which makes driver tube selection trickier than usual.

I use the Utopia OG myself, we used four of the new versions when we tested DACS some months back. I have yet to buy my dream DAC but I know which one I want.

 

[Galapac]

So far from what I tested my top 3 in no particular order:

1. GEC / Osram L63
2. Mullard ECC33
3. National Union RP 6F8G

Tested in my EC Balancing Act with Utopia OG. My amp leans neutral and fast which makes driver tube selection trickier than usual.

Those are some obscure ones but intriguing to me. Is the Mullard ECC83 a drop in replacement for 6SN7?

 

[K3cT]

@Galapac it should be fine, just it has higher mu of 35 vs 20 of 6SN7.

 

[David A Silva]

Those are some obscure ones but intriguing to me. Is the Mullard ECC83 a drop in replacement for 6SN7?

I read that it is a drop in replacement for a 12AX7, might need an ECC83 / 6SN7 adapter

 

[LobalWarming]

I dunno what else to try next, Sylvania short bottle 6SN7W maybe?

Frankie 7N7. Same construction as 6SN7W, but deconstructed pricing.

A better 6SN7 might be an early ECC40, foil getter from Eindhoven. Later iterations are less enamouring.

Concur regarding 1578s - enjoy the 50s versions. From the 60s onward they get more V-shaped and harsher.

Have you tried a Brimar CV1988? They used to be the old hotness after the TS RP hotness wore off and before the 1578 hotness began.

 

[Paladin79]

Frankie 7N7. Same construction as 6SN7W, but deconstructed pricing.

A better 6SN7 might be an early ECC40, foil getter from Eindhoven. Later iterations are less enamouring.

Concur regarding 1578s - enjoy the 50s versions. From the 60s onward they get more V-shaped and harsher.

Have you tried a Brimar CV1988? They used to be the old hotness after the TS RP hotness wore off and before the 1578 hotness began.

When talking 7N7's there were also the single triode 7A4's, we included those and 6J5's as so 6sn7 equivalents. I look at our test scores as I would look at the ratings on a fine bottle of wine. 100 being a perfect score, when you find a tube that a large group of people say is in the high nineties, you have something spectacular. Especially when you give it a similar score yourself. Fortunately a lot of my tube gear uses 6sn7's so I did not mind spending the time. Looking at my main system, I just counted 34 tubes in play, with another twelve in gear in my shop.

 

[g0ldl10n]

I dunno what else to try next, Sylvania short bottle 6SN7W maybe?

If you are looking to stay in the same family tree as the 6SN7 id recommend NU 6C8G, and or 6F8G. Most seem to like the 6F8G versions more, but personally, I find the 6C8G versions better for my personal preference.

 

[sam6550a]

Those are some obscure ones but intriguing to me. Is the Mullard ECC83 a drop in replacement for 6SN7?

The ECC83 is NOT a drop in for a 6SN7. An ECC83 is a 12AX7, which has a much higher mu than a 6SN7.

 

[g0ldl10n]

The ECC83 is NOT a drop in for a 6SN7. An ECC83 is a 12AX7, which has a much higher mu than a 6SN7.

You are right - I think there was some miscommunication in the original question from @Galapac to @K3cT

I think @Galapac maybe meant to ask about the ECC33?