The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[jonathan c]

My point is that I suspect that some tube sellers scroll Head-Fi threads (and others) to gauge “what’s hot, what’s not”…

 

[TLO]

There's already a thread for that. I doubt they can best the RFT, but I am sure that some can hang. Also, the good alternatives cost just as much these days.

If the good alternatives you found cost as much as 6SN7, it means you have not explored far enough... Just saying...
Most of the NOS British tubes I bought nowadays cost from around USD7.50 to USD15 a piece and all of them sound better than all of the 6SN7 I have tried.
OK, I will shut up now before I get banned...

 

[jonathan c]

…OK, I will shut up now before I get banned...

….listen to this, instead….:

 

[raindownthunda]

Can’t we all just agree that the tube you’re happy with listening to is the best tube? Regardless the make, model, cost, rarity, etc. Stand up against tube supremacy!

 

[Wes S]

Can’t we all just agree that the tube you’re happy with listening to is the best tube? Regardless the make, model, cost, rarity, etc. Stand up against tube supremacy!

I will agree with that. I just popped in to share my thoughts on a killer tube so perhaps others can experience the magic it brings. I have been content before and it's not always greener on the other side, but then again sometimes it is . . .

 

[Wes S]

My point is that I suspect that some tube sellers scroll Head-Fi threads (and others) to gauge “what’s hot, what’s not”…

Exactly, and that's why I brought it up. I have chatted up other tubes that were hard to find, and they listened and now others can easily find said tubes.

 

[paradoxper]

Exactly, and that's why I brought it up. I have chatted up other tubes that were hard to find, and they listened and now others can easily find said tubes.

Every tube gets chatted up, no one forces anyone to do anything. You share and live within your means.

 

[leftside]

I am even more shocked that ppl dont talk much about using other alternative tubes to replace 6SN7, not to mention a lot of them, NOS, cost around USD10 more or less a piece. Hell, they are not even triode!!! OK, will I get banned now?

There's already a thread for that. I doubt they can best the RFT, but I am sure that some can hang. Also, the good alternatives cost just as much these days.

Yeah the 6J5 thread RFT 6J5 are very good. Used to be cheap as chips...

 

[raindownthunda]

I will agree with that. I just popped in to share my thoughts on a killer tube so perhaps others can experience the magic it brings. I have been content before and it's not always greener on the other side, but then again sometimes it is . . .

I always appreciate your shares, Wes! I was mainly being satirical since they are out of budget for most of us and so scarce. Although I'm sure they are great sounding tubes and trust you know a good tube when you hear one. I can personally attest that the mindset of needing to jump on "the next best tube" bandwagon is a dangerous one for the wallet! (cries in G73-R). I'm learning to more and more appreciate synergy between power + driver over a single superior tube, and am personally more of a fanboy for the tubes in "the other thread" although I do have some 6SN7 I enjoy very much.

 

[LobalWarming]

Yeah the 6J5 thread RFT 6J5 are very good. Used to be cheap as chips...

Those were the days... now even chips aren't cheap as chips

 

[jonathan c]

Those were the days... now even chips aren't cheap as chips

“Those were the days, my friend; we thought they’d never end…”

Mary Hopkin [Apple Records: 1968]

 

[bcowen]

That is @bcowen's stash of tubes heading for storage.

Actually, that's just the Fotons.

 

[bcowen]

Ok, been collecting tubes at a decent pace. Would like to store my 300B, 6SN7, 6F8G and 6J5s. I initially was looking at a type of pelican case, but looking for something that is not too big either.

Any innovative storage solutions out there? Thank you everyone.

Depending on how many tubes you have, a good 'ol tube caddy. Hard to find them in pristine condition these days, but they are out there. This one was still factory sealed in its shipping box....

 

[jonathan c]

 

[Isaacc7]

Why is my left channel silent? Sigh, time to start troubleshooting. Oh, the heater isn’t lit on my left TS BGRP. As they’d say on Mythbusters, well there’s your problem right there! No troubleshooting required lol.

This does bring home something that I joke about from time to time but I am actually serious. Tubes can fail. The good ones keep getting more and more expensive to replace. I’m down one TS BGRP but I have quite a few left in reserve. We can joke about being hoarders but the reality is that you should probably buy what you think you will need for the rest of your life. Even new tubes aren’t guaranteed to be around when you need them. Buy them as you find them and can afford them!