The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[greenfielda2]

A fool and his money…

，not easy to be a responsible audiophile! Do have a stash of 6922 "Reflektor Holy Grail '75 6N23P SWGP Silver Shields", which i jumped in following rb2013's review ~ 2015. Can balance out....

 

[Paladin79]

My Melzs are marked: II-80, OTK-48, 9. Should be the 80's, right? Nothing available for the 50's Melz, very few available (reliable source) for the 80's these days.

Look inside the Melz logo to get the date of manufacture, they may well be 1980. Getting a photo is not easy but this is a 1956. You need just the right light to see it on older versions. I began buying Melz 3-4 years ago and I had very good Russian contacts. No more though.

 

[greenfielda2]

Look inside the Melz logo to get the date of manufacture, they may well be 1980. Getting a photo is not easy but this is a 1956. You need just the right light to see it on older versions.

Thanks!! Found it, barely legible ...79. So, yes, it is 70-80's, not bad at all, considering better than my 1942 Tung Sol 6F8G RBP.... Considering gas 50c/gallon 30 years ago and now $5, no complaint....

 

[Paladin79]

Thanks!! Found it, barely legible ...79. So, yes, it is 70-80's, not bad at all, considering better than my 1942 Tung Sol 6F8G RBP.... Considering gas 50c/gallon 30 years ago and now $5, no complaint....

Very cool. Here are two versions of a 1958, one with perforated plates, one without. I always found the solid shiny plate version to have a better noise floor. There was a version with dull grey solid plates but they are not among my favorites.

 

[greenfielda2]

That was a commendable and meaningful event that you organized, although there can be nothing definitive about an effort to evaluate and rate various 6sn7s absolutely - too many interactions with the nature of the headphone (800s has treble issues, somewhat unnatural staging and frequency response), output impedance of the amp, tubes used with the amp, the big issue of the DAC itself etc. So the best tube would certainly fit together with all these different interactions but not necessarily be the best tube in another system. It’s certainly been work finding the right tubes for my set up. But I would love to see that list because I’m sure it does have validity in many respects in determining the best of the best. I’ve been surprised by the 6sn7s I’ve preferred vs not enjoyed at times (true 70s Melz 1578s) and I think it is predominantly synergy with my system (Envy + ER300Bs, WE300Bs + Susvara / Utopia, and my own preferences). In my system the 70s Melz doesn’t blend well with the strengths of the ER300Bs or WE300Bs as many other tubes, with my headphones, dac, my library etc. Your knowledge as a senior member of this forum and member of the trade is always appreciated.

Which year's WE300Bs you use? I am using 1997-1999 (Kansas City production) version in my WA5, but no experience on other versions ( 50's-70's, 2000-2008 or more recent production 2020 - present). Feel WE300B is a must have for any 300B amp.

 

[tameral]

Which year's WE300Bs you use? I am using 1997-1999 (Kansas City production) version in my WA5, but no experience on other versions ( 50's-70's, 2000-2008 or more recent production 2020 - present). Feel WE300B is a must have for any 300B amp.

I demoed a standard Envy for awhile - my 70s Melz sounded really great with it. But I own a performance edition, which is a little less warm and more neutral. The synergy just isn't there with my current production 2023 WE300Bs or ER300Bs with my library. It sounds good for a couple days but I can't keep with it - though smooth as butter they are too neutral and lean for me, despite being detailed and extended in my performance Envy with my power tubes.

Yes I really like WE300Bs a lot. For Susvara I really enjoy the pairing of TSBGRP. For Utopia surprisingly I really like basic early 50s Sylvania 6sn7gts that are not bad boys but are otherwise identical except for the number of rivet holes on the plates (2 vs 3). I bet true bad boys would be incredible, as I understand them to review more highly. In any case, I find certain synergies surprising but some things just work better with my brain and library than others. I really adore my ER300Bs and at some point will probably jump up for a pair of TM300Bs if I hold on to my Envy that long. So as many others do, I recommend Elrogs.

 

[TLO]

Let me introduce to you my minions.....

 

[Wes S]

Let me introduce to you my minions.....

That where all the CV6's went!

I know that tube quite well, and that must be something to hear. I bet it can double as a space heater as well.

Interesting use of volume knobs for top caps! They look like they fit like a glove, and look clean. Ever thought about selling custom adapters?

 

[TLO]

That where all the CV6's went!

I know that tube quite well, and that must be something to hear. I bet it can double as a space heater as well.

Interesting use of volume knobs for top caps! They look like they fit like a glove, and look clean. Ever thought about selling custom adapters?

Thanks....LOL, you noticed that those are control knobs....
Yeah, it seems there arent any nice caps in the market, so I grabbed some knobs, clips from another cap and Teflon heat shrinking tube and put them together. Lot of work but they turned out very well.
Unfortunately, no...not going to make and sell due to too much work involved. BTW, these adapters are adjustable to use various types of tube, wire connections are detachable underneath.

 

[leftside]

Thanks....LOL, you noticed that those are control knobs....
Yeah, it seems there arent any nice caps in the market, so I grabbed some knobs, clips from another cap and Teflon heat shrinking tube and put them together. Lot of work but they turned out very well.
Unfortunately, no...not going to make and sell due to too much work involved. BTW, these adapters are adjustable to use various types of tube, wire connections are detachable underneath.

It's worth coming on Headfi just for posts like this.

 

[David A Silva]

Let me introduce to you my minions.....

That octet plugs into a single socket??? Mama Mia, that’s some spicy meetbahl

 

[ColSaulTigh]

Let me introduce to you my minions.....

 

[TLO]

That octet plugs into a single socket??? Mama Mia, that’s some spicy meetbahl

nah...this amp uses 2 pairs of 6SN7 as input, hence twin CV6 on each socket.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

I bought this 6SN7 more than two years ago. I put it in the back of my cabinet and never tried it. It's supposed to be a Tung Sol 6SN7WGTA with a tall bottle, top "Fat D" getter, and angled "T" plates. The seller even mentioned it's from 1957, week 20.

Does anyone know if it's indeed a Tung Sol as advertised? As for sound quality, I'll know by the end of the evening I guess. I expect it to be just average, but let's see.

Thanks!

 

[g0ldl10n]

I bought this 6SN7 more than two years ago. I put it in the back of my cabinet and never tried it. It's supposed to be a Tung Sol 6SN7WGTA with a tall bottle, top "Fat D" getter, and angled "T" plates. The seller even mentioned it's from 1957, week 20.

Does anyone know if it's indeed a Tung Sol as advertised? As for sound quality, I'll know by the end of the evening I guess. I expect it to be just average, but let's see.

Thanks!

I have one just like that, getter and all ( I believe - can't get perfect look at the getter in your photos) - the only difference is the bottom mica - mine is smooth, yours has those teeth. This is labeled up top at 6SN7 GTB

Mine is relabled 'Cornell', but I always figured it was Sylvania due to the angled t-plates.