The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[Designsfx]

Happy to report the future looks promising, as I just got a New Production 6SN7, that sounds as good or better than any NOS 6SN7 I have heard.
Say hello to the Apos Ray Reserve 6SN7.
I will share more once I have had more time with them, but for now I can tell you they are legit and have actually been blowing my mind.

Congrats @Wes S
“As good or better than any other” is a STRONG statement- I hope it continues to hold true (or even improves) as the listening time goes on. What perplexes me on this (and I believe this was brought up not too long ago) is the price. The Apos Select is fairly pricey for a new 6SN7- I just saw an offer for roughly $300 per quad. But the Reserve clocks in at $900 a quad! How much better could it really be?. Sadly, the only way to really know is to buy them both.

 

[TLO]

Congrats @Wes S
“As good or better than any other” is a STRONG statement- I hope it continues to hold true (or even improves) as the listening time goes on. What perplexes me on this (and I believe this was brought up not too long ago) is the price. The Apos Select is fairly pricey for a new 6SN7- I just saw an offer for roughly $300 per quad. But the Reserve clocks in at $900 a quad! How much better could it really be?. Sadly, the only way to really know is to buy them both.

Please buy them and let us know.

 

[Designsfx]

Please buy them and let us know.

Nah- I’m just going to go on living my big time tube life through others posting about it here!

 

[TLO]

Nah- I’m just going to go on living my big time tube life through others posting about it here!

...or you can buy it cheaper here, https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806214179942.html and let us know how do you like the sound...

 

[ThanatosVI]

...or you can buy it cheaper here, https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806214179942.html and let us know how do you like the sound...

You do realize that these are different tubes right?

 

[TLO]

You do realize that these are different tubes right?

Well, if you said so...but I am sure they are the same tube.

 

[psy472]

Well, if you said so...but I am sure they are the same tube.

Wow you found it cheaper than vivatubes. Good job. But yea, those tube prices on Amazon got jacked up to Ray reserve prices after Apos came out with it.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Well, if you said so...but I am sure they are the same tube.

How can you be sure?
Do you have both to assess it?

 

[Wes S]

Well, if you said so...but I am sure they are the same tube.

They certainly look very similar no doubt, and I am guessing made by the same people. However, I don't think they are the exact same tube, and I am actually going to find out all that info, when I have a chat with the Head of Marketing at Apos soon, and will report back what they say.

I have always been a skeptic of these New Production Chinese made tubes, and honestly I was not expecting to be blown away by the Apos Ray 6SN7 Reserve. I can't find a single fault with this tube, and I have been listening on and off non-stop since last night with all 3 my headphones. I still think they are priced crazy high, but as good as they sound, I am sure there will be plenty who will pay to play. Sometimes it's just nice to not have to do ton of research and hunting for that super rare NOS tube, and just go buy a New Production that sounds just as good, and you can get a backup for it anytime you want if needed.

 

[psy472]

They certainly look very similar no doubt, and I am guessing made by the same people. However, I don't think they are the exact same tube, and I am actually going to find out all that info, when I have a chat with the Head of Marketing at Apos soon, and will report back what they say.

I have always been a skeptic of these New Production Chinese made tubes, and honestly I was not expecting to be blown away by the Apos Ray 6SN7 Reserve. I can't find a single fault with this tube, and I have been listening on and off non-stop since last night with all 3 my headphones. I still think they are priced crazy high, but as good as they sound, I am sure there will be plenty who will pay to play. Sometimes it's just nice to not have to do ton of research and hunting for that super rare NOS tube, and just go buy a New Production that sounds just as good, and you can get a backup for it anytime you want if needed.

That price of convenience is why concierge services exist. Give us a review. I’m glad I only have a Lyr+ so I only have to roll one tube. Imagine doing it with quads or more makes me wonder why people in this hobby aren’t homeless.

 

[Wes S]

That price of convenience is why concierge services exist. Give us a review. I glad I only have a Lyr+ so I only have to roll one tube. Imagine doing it with quads or more makes me wonder why people in this hobby aren’t homeless.

I roll quads for drivers and rectifiers, and even the more affordable tubes can become somewhat expensive when you have to buy four of them, plus trying to match them and find four that are quiet at the same time can be a challenge as well. I often envy those with tube amps, that only need one driver or rectifier. My old Pendant SE was that way, and finding and affording tubes was much easier.

 

[TLO]

They certainly look very similar no doubt, and I am guessing made by the same people. However, I don't think they are the exact same tube, and I am actually going to find out all that info, when I have a chat with the Head of Marketing at Apos soon, and will report back what they say.

I have always been a skeptic of these New Production Chinese made tubes, and honestly I was not expecting to be blown away by the Apos Ray 6SN7 Reserve. I can't find a single fault with this tube, and I have been listening on and off non-stop since last night with all 3 my headphones. I still think they are priced crazy high, but as good as they sound, I am sure there will be plenty who will pay to play. Sometimes it's just nice to not have to do ton of research and hunting for that super rare NOS tube, and just go buy a New Production that sounds just as good, and you can get a backup for it anytime you want if needed.

Instead of having a chat with Apos, why dont you just listen for yourself by getting a pair of PSVANE CV181? Let your ears do the assessment.

 

[Wes S]

Give us a review.

I am going to give them at least a good 50 hours of burn-in, and a bunch more listening time over this weekend and early next week, and I will report back.

 

[Wes S]

Instead of having a chat with Apos, why dont you just listen for yourself by getting a pair of PSVANE CV181? Let your ears do the assessment.

I most likely will, but I am also curious to hear what they have to say. Of course I know hearing them for myself, is the only way to know for sure.

 

[ThanatosVI]

I most likely will, but I am also curious to hear what they have to say. Of course I know hearing them for myself, is the only way to know for sure.

Since I have the PSVane CV-181-T-MII I'll be able to compare once Fedex manages to deliver the packahe