The Reference 6SN7 Thread

[Powermankw]

Which brings me to a theory I have (and I could never muster much enthusiasm for the TS BGRP tube either): My theory is that certain tube sellers have pushed tubes that even a novice could easily identify. The distinct black glass pattern of the Tung Sol tubes anybody can identify, which is not the case with many other tubes that look pretty much the same to the untrained eye. Likewise, red base, brown base, curved base, gray glass, black glass etc. are easy to tell apart. Enter unscrupulous sellers with claims that these tubes sound the best with the resultant increase in prices.
The synergy between different tubes is extremely important. And as g0ldl10n states, there are a number of lesser known and very inexpensive tubes that sound excellent and IMHO sound better than the accepted "best sounding" tubes.
These opinions are judged by how the tubes sound and not justified by an inexpensive price.

However... From a rookies perspective... Despite some unscrupulous sellers, there are magnatudes more buyers and it shakes out what is good and what is trash. I have not had too hard of time navigating what is good to get... The opposite is just as bad... Searching for obscure tubes with little info on them just because somebody said they are awsome in their stuff. That's not exactly reliable either... It is cheaper though than high priced unobtanium. If a tube is $20 it's not really a loss. Maybe before the internet stuff was harder to get info, and everything was more plentiful... But now... There is so much info, and everything is so picked clean... I can't imagine too many stockpiles of $10 tubes that rival the proclaimed best that nobody knows about. But again... I'm new to the game so what do I know...

 

[g0ldl10n]

+1
If we were to listen to the "experts" on which tubes sound the best, then life would be very boring with no explorations or first hand experiences...
Exploring new tubes is part of the thrill in the tube rolling journey, imo.
I am still waiting for @g0ldl10n to set up his tube museum, so I can visit one day...lol

Swear, my room feels like a tube museum as it is - I need to stop, but I don't know how to!

 

[Powermankw]

Swear, my room feels like a tube museum as it is - I need to stop, but I don't know how to!

First step is admitting you have a problem.....

 

[TLO]

Swear, my room feels like a tube museum as it is - I need to stop, but I don't know how to!

Perhaps spend more time doing documentation on tubes u already have...like tube matching, tube structure, history, records of sound signature, etc..., so to take your mind away from buying new tubes. You would be surprised to discover new things you have overlooked before. Oh yes, I do simple records on a spreadsheet with date.

 

[jonathan c]

First step is admitting you have a problem.....

Tubers Anonymous:
1. We admitted that we were powerless over vacuum tubes - that our lives had become unmanageable.

 

[Powermankw]

Tubers Anonymous:
1. We admitted that we were powerless over vacuum tubes - that our lives had become unmanageable.

See... You know.

 

[jonathan c]

Perhaps spend more time doing documentation on tubes u already have...like tube matching, tube structure, history, records of sound signature, etc..., so to take your mind away from buying new tubes. You would be surprised to discover new things you have overlooked before. Oh yes, I do simple records on a spreadsheet with date.

Pfft! I have mental & excel spreadsheets as to which tube / hpa / hp combos sound best to me on which tracks …

 

[bcowen]

First step is admitting you have a problem.....

Define "problem." I've always considered it more of a feature.

I have lots of features...

 

[TLO]

OK, @g0ldl10n , whatever you do, dont ask @bcowen ....

 

[TLO]

Pfft! I have mental & excel spreadsheets as to which tube / hpa / hp combos sound best to me on which tracks …

lol...I have recorded mainly on tube matching (2 input stages) on which amp with date.

 

[JTbbb]

I believe I have finally kicked the habit of buying tubes . Haven’t bought any for a few months now, just thinned the herd. Oh blimey, I’ve just realised I’m in the process of buying a pair of vintage Quad II Valve Monoblocks with original NOS valves…..that’s 10 tubes . Oh well!

 

[TLO]

I believe I have finally kicked the habit of buying tubes . Haven’t bought any for a few months now, just thinned the herd. Oh blimey, I’ve just realised I’m in the process of buying a pair of vintage Quad II Valve Monoblocks with original NOS valves…..that’s 10 tubes . Oh well!

..so it is justified to get more tubes, so dont feel bad about it...

 

[bcowen]

I believe I have finally kicked the habit of buying tubes . Haven’t bought any for a few months now, just thinned the herd. Oh blimey, I’ve just realised I’m in the process of buying a pair of vintage Quad II Valve Monoblocks with original NOS valves…..that’s 10 tubes . Oh well!

I made it 59 days after giving up Ebay. Almost 2 whole entire uninterrupted months! Then some 5998's hit my radar that weren't on Ebay. Dang tubes are everywhere.

 

[Galapac]

I made it 59 days after giving up Ebay. Almost 2 whole entire uninterrupted months! Then some 5998's hit my radar that weren't on Ebay. Dang tubes are everywhere.

At least you tried.

 

[JTbbb]

I made it 59 days after giving up Ebay. Almost 2 whole entire uninterrupted months! Then some 5998's hit my radar that weren't on Ebay. Dang tubes are everywhere.

I apologise profusely

Edit: And those funds went towards my Quads…it’s a never ending circle!