The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[ColSaulTigh]

These have the same internals as the metal base 6SN7W's. Loctal base, but as far as I can tell that's the only difference.



There's a pair of metal base up for auction now. Be interested to see how high they go. 21 bids already with 7 days left...

I have a couple pair of Sylvania 7N7 which sound really good (a tad bright). You'll need an adapter (Woo Audio is my preferred brand),

 

[Isaacc7]

These have the same internals as the metal base 6SN7W's. Loctal base, but as far as I can tell that's the only difference.



There's a pair of metal base up for auction now. Be interested to see how high they go. 21 bids already with 7 days left...

I have that exact 7n7! Only one mind you but I have a bunch of other ones. A little while back on this thread I took a deep dive in my collection of 7n7s. The support rod in the 7n7 shown is aluminum or some other silver color metal. The 6sn7w metal base has a copper one. Interestingly the 14n7 tubes have the copper support rod as well whereas I don’t think any of the 7n7 or other 6sn7 has it. While I don’t think the material of the support rod has anything to do with the sound, I think that its inclusion on the 14n7 probably points to using the same tooling/materials as the 6sn7w. More importantly, I think the 14n7 sounds better than any of my many 7n7 versions or other Sylvania 6/12sn7 tubes including the so called “bad boy.” I don’t have any 6sn7w metal base to compare but I’m willing to bet the 14n7 is its equal. Those can still be found for very reasonable prices but they aren’t nearly as common as the 12sn7.

 

[Isaacc7]

** which were?

For the purposes of finding the best sounding tubes for my system. I’ve been through a ton of different twin triodes and have have settled on few. Well, ok, maybe 10-12 different ones lol! But I have managed to weed out ones that simply do not work for me. Some of which are very highly regarded and work well in others’ systems.

 

[jonathan c]

I was just commenting in another thread that the Schiit Vali 2 amp is the biggest bang-for-the-buck I've ever had. On further reflection, the Incubus beats it sideways with both hands down tied behind the equipment rack.

FTFY…[Reg. TM; © bcowen: 2021.]

 

[ostewart]

I know tube prices have gone a bit crazy, so hoping this wasn't a bad buy at £30 inc postage.

Hitachi 6SN7GTB

 

[David A Silva]

A quick search online - you got a great deal!

 

[Powermankw]

So hopefully there are some Mullard ECC32 owners here. There are some rebranded... Most are unobtanium. I have a pair of 52 3hole BBs. Most I read is Mullard are simply the best... Are they really? By how much? It seems there is not much debate, but there is also not a lot of circulation/info. Can anyone compare them to bad boys or even Tung Sol BG RPs?

 

[LobalWarming]

So hopefully there are some Mullard ECC32 owners here. There are some rebranded... Most are unobtanium. I have a pair of 52 3hole BBs. Most I read is Mullard are simply the best... Are they really? By how much? It seems there is not much debate, but there is also not a lot of circulation/info. Can anyone compare them to bad boys or even Tung Sol BG RPs?

Over the years, I have hoarded collected ECC32s, Bad Boys, TS RPs, Brimar CV1988s, Melz 1578, VT-231s, 6SN7Ws and more. I compare them quite often and all of them and none of them are the best.

The best 6SN7 or the best red wine? So much depends on the chef (amp), the meal (music) and my appetite (mood). I love the ECC32 for the rich, intoxicating midrange. But it's not the most detailed 6SN7 I've heard.

I roll to enjoy the different sonic flavours. I leave the pursuit of the best for the best and brightest.

For me, the gift of tube rolling is not finding the ONE to rule them all. It is what it does to my brain - rolling makes my brain listen again - rather than acclimatize and filter - and I end up on the internet typing about tubes instead of enjoying the differences.

Do you enjoy the BBs? That's all that counts.

Would the ECC32 be a nice flavour to add? Sure. Is it worth the silly grail pricing? Perhaps to you, not to me. ECC32 is a wonderful $50-$80 tube. Or once was.

Tubes are consumables - light bulbs with a fixed lifespan* that have nice audio characteristics. All 6SN7s were once cheap(ish) commodities - nice (mostly) linear dual triodes - manufactured in the millions.

But now, the 21st century holy grail tube pricing makes expectation bias very powerful. And the internet loves hype and posting best-of-the-best lists. Nice formula for either elation or disappointment.

Sorry for rambling... You just wanted the definitive answer. Here it is: ECC32, best 6SN7 ever - last March - for a few days. If only I saw your question then.

* - it's why @bcowen has thousands of Fotons... back up in depth or something.

 

[OctavianH]

I roll to enjoy the different sonic flavours. I leave the pursuit of the best for the best and brightest.

For me, the gift of tube rolling is not finding the ONE to rule them all. It is what it does to my brain - rolling makes my brain listen again - rather than acclimatize and filter - and I end up on the internet typing about tubes instead of enjoying the differences.

But now, the 21st century holy grail tube pricing makes expectation bias very powerful. And the internet loves hype and posting best-of-the-best lists. Nice formula for either elation or disappointment.

You are a philosopher of the tube age. In this hobby there are people who get easily bored, and they tend to buy more equipment than they need (one of them is me) and for them tube rolling is a relief because otherwise they would roll amps or fuses. Other people make a matter of pride from it and start to use expensive materials and equipments only to be sure they are among the best of the best. Who is right? Well, who cares who is right, everyone makes what he wants with his time and his money. Do those equipment or tubes worth? Well, it depends on what they bring you. Sonic quality? I doubt. Pride? Maybe.

And because I am the King of Off Topic, I try to say also something related to the thread. I have in my collection ECC31, ECC32, ECC33 and ECC35. None of these is purely a 6SN7 in my view (electrically and soundwise). All of them have the common sound of Mullard, more or less (what you were telling about the rich intoxicating midrange), but for me the best of them is ECC33. It is the most detailed, less flavoured, most dynamic and transparent. It provides the most "correct" sound of all of them. This is let's say my technical view on them. As many said, we are not always looking for a correct sound here (i.e. many praise RCA VT-231 grey glass which honestly is a veiled tube, a "smoky" one, excellent for a late night in a jazz club but not on top on a recording studio where clarity has to be first priority).

Wow, 10 rows and I have said almost nothing, I go to drink my coffee.

Later edit: ECC33 is on a brighter side compared to the others, just so you know. If you love bass, keep in mind.

 

[LobalWarming]

You are a philosopher of the tube age. In this hobby there are people who get easily bored, and they tend to buy more equipment than they need (one of them is me) and for them tube rolling is a relief because otherwise they would roll amps or fuses. Other people make a matter of pride from it and start to use expensive materials and equipments only to be sure they are among the best of the best. Who is right? Well, who cares who is right, everyone makes what he wants with his time and his money. Do those equipment or tubes worth? Well, it depends on what they bring you. Sonic quality? I doubt. Pride? Maybe.

And because I am the King of Off Topic, I try to say also something related to the thread. I have in my collection ECC31, ECC32, ECC33 and ECC35. None of these is purely a 6SN7 in my view (electrically and soundwise). All of them have the common sound of Mullard, more or less (what you were telling about the rich intoxicating midrange), but for me the best of them is ECC33. It is the most detailed, less flavoured, most dynamic and transparent. It provides the most "correct" sound of all of them. This is let's say my technical view on them. As many said, we are not always looking for a correct sound here (i.e. many praise RCA VT-231 grey glass which honestly is a veiled tube, a "smoky" one, excellent for a late night in a jazz club but not on top on a recording studio where clarity has to be first priority).

Wow, 10 rows and I have said almost nothing, I go to drink my coffee.

Thank you for your astute observations... the ECC33 is the one ECC3x missing from my collection. And of course, it's the 'best' one, I'm missing.

Agree, the RCA grey is veiled, but what a delightful smoky veil.

 

[OctavianH]

Thank you for your astute observations... the ECC33 is the one ECC3x missing from my collection. And of course, it's the 'best' one, I'm missing.

There will always be a missing best one. This is the paradox of the tube collectors.

Agree, the RCA grey is veiled, but what a delightful smoky veil.

Yes, it's like alcohol, it's wrong but we all love it and without it would be worse.

 

[TLO]

I have multiple pairs of ECC31, ECC33, ECC34 and ECC35 but not ECC32. Yes, I have heard the ECC32 and it sounds amazing in its own right and character but no, I am not going to pay the crazy price. As someone has said, tubes are just consumable light bulbs. IMHO, it is silly to pay...what...USD400-500 a piece now? There are always other amazing sound tubes to explore if you are into tube rolling or collection. Exploring new tubes is what makes this hobby or tube rolling interesting but addictive.

 

[OctavianH]

I have multiple pairs of ECC31, ECC33, ECC34 and ECC35 but not ECC32

How is the ECC34 compared with the rest? That's the one I've never tried.

 

[LobalWarming]

How is the ECC34 compared with the rest? That's the one I've never tried.

I have the ECC34. And I can say with absolute certainty and definitive authority, it is the best of the family.

It's much lower mu (11.5) than the ECC32 (32), so it may not match well with some amps. But all my amps are the best, so it's not a problem

EDIT: It's been awhile since ECC34 was in regular rotation, as my faulty memory recalls it seemed a little less luscious than the ECC32. Need to dig it out of the archives and discover how faulty my memory really is.

 

[TLO]

How is the ECC34 compared with the rest? That's the one I've never tried.

I have the ECC34. And I can say with absolute certainty and definitive authority, it is the best of the family.

It's much lower mu (11.5) than the ECC32 (32), so it may not match well with some amps. But all my amps are the best, so it's not a problem

EDIT: It's been awhile since ECC34 was in regular rotation, as my faulty memory recalls it seemed a little less luscious than the ECC32. Need to dig it out of the archives and discover how faulty my memory really is.

Yes, due to a much lower mu, tube matching is much more crucial with ECC34. Once you got a good match, it sounds heavenly. I have very good results with numerous triode strapped hexode or pentode. Oh damn, the price is going to shoot up now...LOL