The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[Slade01]

@Paladin79 Had a Melz question - but open to anyone - do you happen to know the difference in designation between a 6N8M and a 6N8S Melz tubes?

 

[Paladin79]

@Paladin79 Had a Melz question - but open to anyone - do you happen to know the difference in designation between a 6N8M and a 6N8S Melz tubes?

I want to say the M is a designation for older versions of similar tubes. I own some but they are not the type I seek.

 

[Paladin79]

@sam6550a received his GE 5998A and an Incubus from me so I may learn something soon about the tube. He definitely said it tested more like a 5998 than a 6AS7G so it is odd the spec sheet said low gain.

 

[HTSkywalker]

@sam6550a received his GE 5998A and an Incubus from me so I may learn something soon about the tube. He definitely said it tested more like a 5998 than a 6AS7G so it is odd the spec sheet said low gain.

Awaiting the final verdict on this tube, hope @sam6550a stayed awake all night testing it and hopefully A/B with a TS 5998

 

[sam6550a]

Awaiting the final verdict on this tube, hope @sam6550a stayed awake all night testing it and hopefully A/B with a TS 5998

Testing continues today after I return from the cardiologist. Unfortunately, I do not possess a TS 5998 to compare it to.

 

[sam6550a]

@sam6550a received his GE 5998A and an Incubus from me so I may learn something soon about the tube. He definitely said it tested more like a 5998 than a 6AS7G so it is odd the spec sheet said low gain.

Here is the GE 5998A spec sheet.

 

[Paladin79]

Awaiting the final verdict on this tube, hope @sam6550a stayed awake all night testing it and hopefully A/B with a TS 5998

I would be getting the GE tube soon and I do have several Tung Sol 5998’s. I should be able to compare the two tubes in identical Incubus amps.

My 6sn7's will be matching 1958 Melz solid plate 1578's. Naturally I will monitor and match volume levels and use appropriate switch boxes going to Focal Utopias. I will run a full battery of tests and end up for a score for each. My wife will change the power tubes around and cover both with a box so I will not know which tube is which going in. I will score both.

 

[Slade01]

I would be getting the GE tube soon and I do have several Tung Sol 5998’s. I should be able to compare the two tubes in identical Incubus amps.

 

[HTSkywalker]

I would be getting the GE tube soon and I do have several Tung Sol 5998’s. I should be able to compare the two tubes in identical Incubus amps.

My 6sn7's will be matching 1958 Melz solid plate 1578's. Naturally I will monitor and match volume levels and use appropriate switch boxes going to Focal Utopias. I will run a full battery of tests and end up for a score for each. My wife will change the power tubes around and cover both with a box so I will not know which tube is which going in. I will score both.

Thought you will configure both Incubus at hand with the same Pre-Amp tube (Melz), one with the GE 5998A and another with the TS 5998 in the Power section and a switch box to have the Utopia plugged to. Your wife would only have to plug each Incubus input to the switch box without telling you which went where.
Let us know once you conclude the testing and make sure not to burn Mrs. @Paladin79 fingers coz all your work in the shed will account for nothing

 

[Paladin79]

Thought you will configure both Incubus at hand with the same Power tube, one with the GE and another with the TS in the Pre-amp and a switch box to have the Utopia plugged to. Your wife would only have to plug each Incubus input to the switch box without telling you which went where.
Let us know once you conclude the testing and make sure not to burn Mrs. @Paladin79 fingers coz all your work in the shed will account for nothing

Ok now I am confused lol. The GE and TS are power tubes, the 5998's, I will use the same driver tubes, the Melz I mentioned. They are well balanced over their entire spectrum IMHO. The power tubes can be changed and hidden cold, covered, and I can still adjust power out on each amp.

 

[HTSkywalker]

Ok now I am confused lol. The GE and TS are power tubes, the 5998's, I will use the same driver tubes, the Melz I mentioned. They are well balanced over their entire spectrum IMHO. The power tubes can be changed and hidden cold, covered, and I can still adjust power out on each amp.

My bad, I am the confused party. Just having a day around here. Will correct my post lol.
Corrected

 

[Paladin79]

My bad, I am the confused party. Just having a day around here. Will correct my post lol.
Corrected

Not a problem.

 

[JTbbb]

Blimey, those Mullard ecc32’s on eBay uk fetched a high price!

 

[S0undJunk1e]

What are some real good NOS 6SN7 that are actually still available? I've gone looking for all the classics (VT231 and the like) and I can't seem to find anything. Are there some lesser known 'hidden gems' out there that are still around for purchase?

 

[jonathan c]

What are some real good NOS 6SN7 that are actually still available? I've gone looking for all the classics (VT231 and the like) and I can't seem to find anything. Are there some lesser known 'hidden gems' out there that are still around for purchase?

6SN7s such as RCA 5692, CBS/Hytron 5692 are there, are sometimes tough to locate, and are definitely $$$. Is your “anything” absolute or does it mean “anything reasonable?” If the latter, what is your budget per tube? Another route is to use 7N7 tubes with 7N7 (top) -> 6SN7 (bottom) adapters. The 7N7s can run up to $50 per tube as far as I have seen*. The adapters, up to $60 each depending on build.

* I have yet to come across Lansdale (Philco) 7N7s....