The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[leftside]

yes as a newbie to the tube world I find pricing somewhat frustrating since I see prices of tubes 10 times more than others simply because they are 50 yrs old etc...very tough to distinguish although pretty easy in the 300b world since there are so few top end contenders

Yep completely different worlds 300B vs 6SN7/6J5. I only have 2 pairs of 300B, but 50+ pairs of 6SN7 and 100+ pairs of 6J5.

eBay past sales give you some idea of prices, but even these can be all over the place.

 

[turbofeet]

I think the ebay sellers simply read forums like this and hike up the prices once someone is very impressed with a particular tube.

Once phrases like "holy grail", "bad boy" or "black beauty" are thrown around that's it - 1000% price increase.

We just have to start saying they're all rubbish and maybe the prices will come down.

You'd think no-one paying £1000 for a pair of tubes (always remaining on ebay) would be enough to discourage them but sadly not.

 

[triod750]

When they have a high asking price on something their other offers seem to be bargains to those without knowledge. At least this is what they hope for.

 

[turbofeet]

That price! Disgusting really.

 

[jonathan c]

That price! Disgusting really.

.... with that gouging, the '4' good reviews are a surprise ....

 

[NicRhodes]

True - I have a quad of GEC 6AS7G that are just sitting there and I am reluctant to use them. At least they are appreciating in value.
Just checked the prices - crazy!
While looking I found a real bargain on a GEC 6080. However, better check the fine (green) print on the tube first:

GEC 6080/6AS7. b

https://www.ebay.com/itm/296169203764?itmmeta=01J02SB5KKNV3PYQ22NW37J9QX&hash=item44f50f6834:g:gsUAAOSwQnNlps79&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA4NBF1HvRuDmzSPTnBX2hhzXVVybjnteD4j760FgvBsmh8WIun2DHw0RoEns2T8Vc4KbSL9yiuGFkE411T/YA1Z5DJ0aQcj64btRmDs7waWyfFVeG0ugoOOa7zHFy9QXfpac+ID6Ex1IxZV9hR11hDljr+jNoU0Smu22dRYkHJ1UkZUvBmoGA3+n84x4je2Sc9Ms6LgE1m3J2S24wsCqum04wdnvOvi0ZkyPOUtCEIUCXZhjqe0P6Rci0xpiFo+drXTykNZkHZ7JbaDZc6Suzde5BQooz9eGHshtP5s49cq3y|tkp:Bk9SR_rZrNmAZA

Big difference between GEC 6080 and GE 6080, a opposite ends of the quality spectrum I get fed up with Ebay sellers trying this on.

 

[Designsfx]

THE MYSTERY TUBE!
Hello All! I picked up a handful of 6SN7 tubes this morning and came upon this while going through the boxes. As I’ve not seen a bare tube like this before I was hoping someone could give some ideas as to its provenance. The top of the tube has some wear but one can still see “U.S.A 6SN7 GTB” when held at the right angle.

The side of the tube has a warn off marking that is now illegible but appears to have been done in either red (really faded) or an orange color.

As you can see there is no banding around the base of the tube whatsoever. It doesn’t appear to have ever had one either as the top edges of the socket base are smooth.

Here is a picture of the complete tube. If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it- I find this tube very interesting.

 

[NicRhodes]

RCA coin base GTB?

 

[Renexx]

RCA 6SN7GTB January 1976
One of the last tubes made in Harrison, NJ.
This would be the same tube your looking at.

RCA 6SN7GTB April 1965
This would be the predecessor with full base and earlier advertising.

Great sounding GTB tubes. More neutral than you expected of RCA manufacturing.

 

[Designsfx]

RCA 6SN7GTB January 1976
One of the last tubes made in Harrison, NJ.
This would be the same tube your looking at.



RCA 6SN7GTB April 1965
This would be the predecessor with full base and earlier advertising.

Great sounding GTB tubes. More neutral than you expected of RCA manufacturing.

@Renexx
Awesome! Thanks for the lightning fast ID on that- I knew someone here would know. This tube was part of a mixed buy and was the only one of its kind in the batch. Now I know how to match it up- thanks again!

 

[Designsfx]

RCA coin base GTB?

@NicRhodes- You got it! Thanks for identifying this- sadly the one I got is in nowhere near the condition of those shown in the above pics.

 

[NicRhodes]

Quite common and cheap compared to Metzs Good quality

 

[mordy]

Big difference between GEC 6080 and GE 6080, an opposite ends of the quality spectrum I get fed up with Ebay sellers trying this on.

Maybe it will pay to complain to eBay?

 

[Renexx]

I only want to leave these beauties here.

Philips 6sn7gt early version with smoked glass. Releabeld by Valvo as CV1988 with NATO inventory stamp.

Also Philips 6sn7gt in pope boxes marketed for commercial marked. Grey smoked glass and later clear glass version.

Overall a great tube but forgotten by audiophiles or too rare to find.
Neutral warmish sound with great resolution and staging.

 

[bcowen]

I only want to leave these beauties here.

Philips 6sn7gt early version with smoked glass. Releabeld by Valvo as CV1988 with NATO inventory stamp.




Also Philips 6sn7gt in pope boxes marketed for commercial marked. Grey smoked glass and later clear glass version.

Overall a great tube but forgotten by audiophiles or too rare to find.
Neutral warmish sound with great resolution and staging.

Very nice, and great photos. Thanks for sharing!