Good to know, thanks!!!Nope. Consider all the aspects of a standard perforated plate including metal supports at the top, now remove the perforations. That is the only change. Some were grey plates but I like them less.
Solid black plate on the left, solid grey plate on the right. Metal supports, stepped bottom mica. Never oval micas or mica supports.
The Reference 6SN7 Thread
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Paladin79
Previously MOT: Cables For Less
NP there were also perforated plates with other variations but I would have to dig deep into my Melz vault for those.Good to know, thanks!!!![]()

wwl202
New Head-Fier
Hi everyone,
Hoping one of you experts can identify the provenance of this RCA 5962 red base. The color/font isn't familiar to me and it does not have any other marking on the base.
Thanks in advance!
Hoping one of you experts can identify the provenance of this RCA 5962 red base. The color/font isn't familiar to me and it does not have any other marking on the base.
Thanks in advance!
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VanHai
1000+ Head-Fier
I think either RCA 5691 or 5692.Hi everyone,
Hoping one of you experts can identify the provenance of this RCA red base. The color/font isn't familiar to me and it does not have any other marking on the base.
Thanks in advance!
wwl202
New Head-Fier
My apologies for a poorly written post. It is indeed a 5962. I'm keen to know what period it is from if that's discernible from the markings.I think either RCA 5691 or 5692.
Well, the RCA logo on that tube was implemented in 1968, so we know its 1968 or older. Are there any letters/numbers above/below the hexagon markings on the glass? If there are, I can't make them out.Hi everyone,
Hoping one of you experts can identify the provenance of this RCA 5962 red base. The color/font isn't familiar to me and it does not have any other marking on the base.
Thanks in advance!
Here is a document on dating RCA tubes - I am pretty sure in it somewhere RCA actually used breaks in the hexagon shape in certain locations during certain periods of time, which if the hexagon marking is not degraded too much, you may be able to use it to determine when it was manufactured.
https://www.teltec.se/bocker/rcadates.pdf
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Isaacc7
Headphoneus Supremus
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I have dug out some tubes that I haven't used in a long time. Forgot how much I like them.
The Raytheon 6f8g with ladder plates is a great all rounder. I'm also a big fan of the 12j5wgt with the same ladder plate and the support rod. I assume the 6j5 version sounds the same. There is a 6sn7 with support rods as well. I've never tried them but I assume they'll keep up the family reputation. They are still decently priced when you can find them. The T plates seem. to be selling for more. I have some of those too, somewhere. It has been a while since I compared them but I do remember preferring the ladder plate style.
The Raytheon 6f8g with ladder plates is a great all rounder. I'm also a big fan of the 12j5wgt with the same ladder plate and the support rod. I assume the 6j5 version sounds the same. There is a 6sn7 with support rods as well. I've never tried them but I assume they'll keep up the family reputation. They are still decently priced when you can find them. The T plates seem. to be selling for more. I have some of those too, somewhere. It has been a while since I compared them but I do remember preferring the ladder plate style.
sennfan83261
500+ Head-Fier
Got them in. Unfortunately, there was no infosheet or indication on the boxes regarding the transconductance of each tube. Supposedly, they should have been a quad matched.Please tell us about your experience once the tubes arrive.
To my surprise items i have ordered from AliExpress arrive almost as fast as USPS.
It could very well be that Linlai sells wholesale to manufacturers.
I threw on the first pair and the center image was way off-center and the soundstage was really withdrawn, which may indicate a non-matched pair. I took these out after 20mins. The second pair I threw on appear to be matched, soundwise, as the center image was where it should be and the soundstage was way more normal. Initial impressions on my Susvara, neutral/slightly warmish. Subbass is nicely extended on my one of my sub-bass test tracks (see below). Initial, impressions on the second pair are good so far (1.5 hrs in). Still, I feel I get more punch from a proper speaker-ss amp with my Susvara. Indeed, the bass on Massive Attack's track "Protection" is on the lighter side with the Susvara. Supposedly, the soundstage will fill out as the tubes burn in. I feel these are good value at their sale price (~$50/matched pair), especially after listening to a pair of Tung-Sol 12SN7 bgrp's before these tubes. I still want to take these to someone with a tube tester to get their readings.
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EDIT: It seems that three out of the four tubes sound the same, so one tube appears to be faulty. I want to find a tube tester to check on all of them, especially the suspected faulty tube.
EDIT2 (last listen around last week of Aug. 2024): Avoid. They are crap. Good pair starts shorting out after 30-60mins. One of the tubes is definitely not matched (extremely low volume compared to the other three. No spec sheet/testing results included in this supposedly quad matched set. No confidence in seller. As for the sound, just okay. A decent NOS pair is much better.
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Let's say that the shipper did not treat the package gently (see below). Thankfully, the tubes were securely packed and, based on outward appearances, they looked fine. Of course, such rough treatment could've rattled something internally.

Other descriptors for these tubes (Linlaitube 6SN7): black T-plates, gold-plated pins, ST bottle, dual(?) mica, dual UFO getters.
Pics below (attn fellow LG owner, @Ham Sandwich ):




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Designsfx
500+ Head-Fier
Hello all!
I’m wondering if anyone has any experience, comments or knows the history behind these tubes. I’ve not heard or seen them before but thought these are branded for use/sale with Melody amplifiers (though I could be wrong). Any thought/input would be appreciated!
I’m wondering if anyone has any experience, comments or knows the history behind these tubes. I’ve not heard or seen them before but thought these are branded for use/sale with Melody amplifiers (though I could be wrong). Any thought/input would be appreciated!

Paladin79
Previously MOT: Cables For Less
I believe they are Australian, Jan signifies military, joint army and navy.Hello all!
I’m wondering if anyone has any experience, comments or knows the history behind these tubes. I’ve not heard or seen them before but thought these are branded for use/sale with Melody amplifiers (though I could be wrong). Any thought/input would be appreciated!
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Hmm, idk.. I think those are Chinese SHUGUANG 6N8P tubes - checkout the top mica, from what I can see in the pictures looks very similar. There are companies like Cayin that will put new markings on the glass of tubes, which I have a few tubes like this from Cayin - wouldn't surprise me at all if other companies did this as well.Hello all!
I’m wondering if anyone has any experience, comments or knows the history behind these tubes. I’ve not heard or seen them before but thought these are branded for use/sale with Melody amplifiers (though I could be wrong). Any thought/input would be appreciated!
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They look like these
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186567809477

Not 100% sure tho.
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WildPhydeaux
Head-Fier
They look a lot like these tubes currently on offer at eBay, also marked Melody although just 6SN7 in this case.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1159202670...sXnNGoOQAy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Guaranteed they are Chinese manufactured tubes labeled for an OEM. The JAN is definately an affectation and signifies nothing beyond a laughable marketing strategy.
Cheers,
Robert

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1159202670...sXnNGoOQAy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Guaranteed they are Chinese manufactured tubes labeled for an OEM. The JAN is definately an affectation and signifies nothing beyond a laughable marketing strategy.
Cheers,
Robert
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genuine australian 6sn7 tubes look likes show in the following post
Oh my pair has support rods also
The early vt-231 version has round mica and unique smooth plates. Unobtanium treasures.
Designsfx
500+ Head-Fier
Thank you for the pics @Renexx - those are awesome!genuine australian 6sn7 tubes look likes show in the following post
Designsfx
500+ Head-Fier
Sounds to me like these are “who knows what your getting”- I’ll file these in the $5 per tube category.They look a lot like these tubes currently on offer at eBay, also marked Melody although just 6SN7 in this case.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1159202670...sXnNGoOQAy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Guaranteed they are Chinese manufactured tubes labeled for an OEM. The JAN is definately an affectation and signifies nothing beyond a laughable marketing strategy.
Cheers,
Robert
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