The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[LobalWarming]

Now there’s a bad idea. I prefer the gear to look good, here is one in an amp I designed for 6SN7 comparisons.

Yes, you're right... meant to say cover with hand-ground rusty-spotted cardboard

 

[sam6550a]

A little octal tube display rack I just built. These are just miscellaneous Melz 1578 variations.

That is only about $2K worth of 1578. Finnegan and Dweezil must be hiding nearby.

 

[Paladin79]

That is only about $2K worth of 1578. Finnegan and Dweezil must be hiding nearby.

I pulled six at random out of the safe, they fit nicely next to my turntable and are less likely to be knocked over by a cat.

 

[Isaacc7]

The ecc31 and Thompson 6aq5 are a pretty good combo. The mids are pretty forward though, at least on my speakers. Normally I consider that just another quality in presentation, neither good nor bad. This was a bit too much though, it was actually distracting on some songs. I will revisit the ecc31 when I try out some different 6aq5 outputs.

I switched to the Visseux 11n7g, the 11v version of the 6n7g. It has a great reputation and was always sad that I had the same issues as the ecc31 with past output tube combos. The 11n7g thankfully works very well with the Thompson 6aq5. It is just a bit more subdued through the mids and that’s all it took to give me a great combo. In looking at the spec sheets it seems to me that the ecc31 and 6n7 while sharing the same pin out do differ a bit in their specifications. Makes me wonder what other 6n7 tubes would sound like. Until I find other output tubes that work well with the 11n7g it will be easy enough to resist buying and trying 6n7 tubes.

 

[greenfielda2]

@LobalWarming @Paladin79 @ColSaulTigh Thanks for your rapid responses coming to my rescue!! Such a great team! That's why i follow fellow member's recommendation at the first place. I feel at home here 。 It seems it is only from the left channel. Right channel is fine so far. pipa...bipa .... and with continuous wind blowing noise. For the short lived ~ 30 mins good time, the sound was impressive. In comparison with my 1942 Tung-Sol 6F8G RBP, the Melz seemed giving a cleanner and tighter presentation, less tubey. The TS RBP is a little bit 'loose'. Both are fantastic and the TOP two (as i read all the threads). Not a day and night difference but the Melz is probably better. Like @ColSaulTigh mentioned, different set of tubes are like different wines.

Add to the drama, when i put the TS RBP back, the Amp did not light up! Almost went heart broken. Pull out and switch the side, polish the caps, insert and re-insert to the Woo adapter. Finally the Amp lighted up! Dealing with 60-80 years old tubes is a challenging and delicate work. They are so fragile and can go belly up or ICU anytime. The other day i also shaked off a small piece of glass inside my 1998 Western Electronic 300B when pulling it out the socket....Luckily it still worked.

Got response from don69-andy (Andrii), asking which one wad bad. As others mentioned, he is nice guy and will take care of the problem. Will keep all posted.

Update: don69-andy responded right away to ship me a good one. This is why need to buy from a reliable source

 

[bcowen]

I tell people Italian cannabis is better than Canadian and no one believes me...
Check these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254524610597
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265046580638

But the top listing is only $439.58 for 24 months. How can anyone pass that up?

 

[bcowen]

My methods are grounded in science and 50 years in the industry, others followed, and copied but I had no interest in making a video. I also worked with Fotons to put to bed the myth that they needed 100 hours burn in. And so it goes. I have no interest in those emulating what I did.

I have what may be the largest Melz collection in the US and was involved in rating most every 6sn7 and equivalent known to man but my methods are exotic.

Oh yeah, I never reflow crap solder. You have to replace it. A basic understanding of flux helps.

Whoa! Myth? I think not. They *did* need 100 hours to burn in. It's just that it wasn't the elements needing the burn in, it was the solder.

 

[Paladin79]

Whoa! Myth? I think not. They *did* need 100 hours to burn in. It's just that it wasn't the elements needing the burn in, it was the solder.

I am much too impatient to go through the slow cooking method you used on the solder.

 

[bcowen]

Great work... unfortunately your racks upstage the military drab Melzies.

Consider lathing some quilted maple covers for the tube's dull metal bases. And if it's not too much extra work, slip some tiger maple inside the tube to hide those soviet-era industrial plates.

LOL! That's actually a great idea. Market them as quantum-tunneled tube dampers injected with a sub-atomic lattice of stardust and they'll sell by the millions.

 

[bcowen]

Update: don69-andy responded right away to ship me a good one. This is why need to buy from a reliable source

Good to hear he is taking care of you on this.

 

[Mr Trev]

LOL! That's actually a great idea. Market them as quantum-tunneled tube dampers injected with a sub-atomic lattice of stardust and they'll sell by the millions.

Nah, keep it simple. Tube cozies. Just like Grandma had (hipsters love this kinda of retro crap)

 

[Mr Trev]

A little octal tube display rack I just built. These are just miscellaneous Melz 1578 variations.

Nice. Now you need a 9 pin version - with LEDs in the sockets for that simulated glow experience

 

[Paladin79]

Nice. Now you need a 9 pin version - with LEDs in the sockets for that simulated glow experience

I can do LED’s or I can add filament voltage. I have done both in the past. With octals I drilled tiny holes in the tube guides and mounted the LED’s there. Been there, done that.

 

[g0ldl10n]

But the top listing is only $439.58 for 24 months. How can anyone pass that up?

58 people are actually watching that?

 

[Mr Trev]

I can do LED’s or I can add filament voltage. I have done both in the past. With octals I drilled tiny holes in the tube guides and mounted the LED’s there. Been there, done that.

Not sure how some people would react to modding TSRPs with LEDs. Heads might explode