The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[rawheadjim]

Here's what my matched pair looks like from Bullztubez on eBay, he does a couple of tests and matches them pretty carefully. He's my favorite tube seller, these ran me about $600 for the pair earlier this year.

 

[Jarlaxe]

All genuine. Clear glass are the earliest from these, black base I think are Mullard production (code on top of the glass) and last pair are late 60's Brimar.

Langrex has 3 foil getter black plate Brimars in stock which are the first cv1988 construction albeit they don't have the cv1988 print on them. (they've got a single with cv1988 print / box, but it's twice the price)

I highly recommend getting a pair of these, to my ears they're the pick of the bunch from all the different construction over the years. More refined sounding and a touch of extra body.

Thanks a lot,
i will get in touch with Langrex and see if they can match a pair of the Foil Getter !

 

[Designsfx]

All genuine. Clear glass are the earliest from these, black base I think are Mullard production (code on top of the glass) and last pair are late 60's Brimar.

Langrex has 3 foil getter black plate Brimars in stock which are the first cv1988 construction albeit they don't have the cv1988 print on them. (they've got a single with cv1988 print / box, but it's twice the price)

I highly recommend getting a pair of these, to my ears they're the pick of the bunch from all the different construction over the years. More refined sounding and a touch of extra body.

Which other 6SN7 makes do you regularly play? Any American favorites? I’m curious because I’ve heard some really like the sound of the Brimar and others not so much. I get that it’s all subjective and system dependent but I like to ask just to see where the tubes I own fit into others experiences.

 

[Charade19]

Here's what my matched pair looks like from Bullztubez on eBay, he does a couple of tests and matches them pretty carefully. He's my favorite tube seller, these ran me about $600 for the pair earlier this year.

Thanks, I just placed an order for Sylvania Tall Boys. I am saving up for the Brimars for later this year. Just too much considering I have vacation expenses coming up in June.

 

[JTbbb]

Here's what my matched pair looks like from Bullztubez on eBay, he does a couple of tests and matches them pretty carefully. He's my favorite tube seller, these ran me about $600 for the pair earlier this year.

Nice tubes! And I applaud the fact that you are happy with the different graphics of each tube. I have a matching pair of Mullard ECC35’s for another
amp excepting one has a brown base and the other black. Many folks here couldn’t cope with this.

 

[Doug2507]

Which other 6SN7 makes do you regularly play? Any American favorites? I’m curious because I’ve heard some really like the sound of the Brimar and others not so much. I get that it’s all subjective and system dependent but I like to ask just to see where the tubes I own fit into others experiences.

Not many TBH, I mostly use 12AU7 now but 6SN7 do get dusted off now and again. I've been thinning the 6SN7 herd down but I've still held onto a pair of B65, 6SN7A, 5692, TS BGRP, TS BG flat plate square mica (ridiculously rare and they were the first TS 6SN7 before BGRP), a pair of early 50's black plate brimar (D getters) and a pair of 1946 foil cv1988 (plus a spare pair). The latter are the only ones I'll hold onto indefinitely, the rest will go.

Regarding brimars in particular, I think the later you go, the rougher they sound, most notably when you get to the ring getters (like the mega bucks late 60's black glass brown base). Only speaking from my own experience though which might differ to others so take that with a nice pinch of salt. There's so many factors to figure in for what one person likes vs another it's not really possible to compare to others opinions IMO, unless you've both got a similar lib, both like a particular tuning etc etc. I've got a friend with very sililar taste which is nice to have and we can bounce off each other for tube choice knowing we're both in a similar ballpark.

6SN7A / 5692 were my go to tubes when I was using Takatsukis and that shifted to TS / B65 / Brimar with the TM's in.

I've been through RCA, Kenrad, Sylv short bottles, all Brimar (apart from late 50's black glass) etc etc and those above are the pick of the bunch for my ears. I think the only notable ones I've not had are bad boys, Raytheon brown base and Melz. My focus has shifted away from 6SN7 so they're not high on the priority list to listen to. Having said that, I did pick up a pair of ceramic mica RFT the other day just to scratch that itch! NU 6F8G are probably another tube loosely on the radar but not actively hunting.

 

[Bnadonpo]

All genuine. Clear glass are the earliest from these, black base I think are Mullard production (code on top of the glass) and last pair are late 60's Brimar.

Langrex has 3 foil getter black plate Brimars in stock which are the first cv1988 construction albeit they don't have the cv1988 print on them. (they've got a single with cv1988 print / box, but it's twice the price)

I highly recommend getting a pair of these, to my ears they're the pick of the bunch from all the different construction over the years. More refined sounding and a touch of extra body.

All genuine. The clear glass ones are the earliest among these.

 

[Doug2507]

Is this some weird AI troll?

 

[jmanpd]

Question on adapters - are the eBay / Amazon ones safe? Or is Deyan the guy I should get them from?

Would hate to damage my amp. Appreciate the help

 

[WildPhydeaux]

I've had mixed luck with the eBay ones. One person I dealt with a bit who made decent ones is no longer active, sadly (Xulingmr?). The other ones, also from China, have a fair amount of poor quality copper in the brass bases and they oxidized rather badly. None, however, were wired incorrectly and they caused no damage.

For my money, though, Deyan makes excellent quality adaptors for a very reasonable cost. I have several pairs of his and never been disappointed.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[jmanpd]

I've had mixed luck with the eBay ones. One person I dealt with a bit who made decent ones is no longer active, sadly (Xulingmr?). The other ones, also from China, have a fair amount of poor quality copper in the brass bases and they oxidized rather badly. None, however, were wired incorrectly and they caused no damage.

For my money, though, Deyan makes excellent quality adaptors for a very reasonable cost. I have several pairs of his and never been disappointed.

Cheers,
Robert

Alright shot him a private message. His adapters look like they're made to last!

Appreciate the response

 

[Charade19]

Question on adapters - are the eBay / Amazon ones safe? Or is Deyan the guy I should get them from?

Would hate to damage my amp. Appreciate the help

I ordered 6 adapters and 3 socket savers from Deyan. Cannot recommend him enough.

 

[jonathan c]

Question on adapters - are the eBay / Amazon ones safe? Or is Deyan the guy I should get them from? Would hate to damage my amp. Appreciate the help

Here are two sets of @Deyan-built adapters that I use / rely upon !!

 

[Designsfx]

Here are two sets of @Deyan-built adapters that I use / rely upon !!

Those are crazy! They’d make the perfect audio room shot glasses sans sockets!

 

[bcowen]

Here are two sets of @Deyan-built adapters that I use / rely upon !!

I love the metal-case adapters he's making now. Really nice quality and they look cool.