Suggestions for 6SN7 Tubes

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

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Both my Audio Mirror SET 45 mono-blocks and my Dennis Had Dragon Inspire use 6SN7 tubes. Being a noob with tube gear I want forum members opinions on what would be the best choice to for improving the sound of my SET amps.

I currently have three sets of 6SN7 tubes. The original NOS Russian tubes that came with the SET amp, a pair of NOS Sylvania tubes that I have installed in the headphone amp (the Had). I also have a pair of RCA "Gray Glass" tubes, VT-231's. These are what I currently am using in the Audio Mirror amps.

So is there anything really special out there worthy of consideration? Would the NOS RCA, Ken-Rad, GE, etc. be best choice or are some of the more exotic tubes such as Brimar, Psvane, Shuguang Black Treasure, or Sophia Blue Glass worth the extra $$$'s?

I appreciate input and opinions!
 
http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/sto...lobe-6sn7-se-pair-gf-limited-special-edition/

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Ouch... nice... but ouch :).... are they really that much better... I know I could get some RCA Red Base at that price also.... these do look cool though :D.
 
I've owned these amps twice First was on older stock pair. Then I purchased a pair from a friend who was selling his pair which were tricked out at the factory with upgraded wiring,Furutech IEC and V-Cap coupling caps.
I am a tube collector and own literally 1000's of tubes (mostly U.S. made vintage tubes).
Both my friend (when he had his amps) and I, rolled many many tubes in the amps.
By FAR, the best combo was a Tung-Sol black glass 6SL7 and RCA VT-99 (6F8G) on an adapter base for the 6SN7 position.
With this combo it wasn't even close in comparison to others.
I personally feel you would be very dissapointed with the red base 5692, not really gaining anything over what you already have.
As for the newer breed of tubes such as those referenced by Joe, I don't have any experience and am curious as to others opinions on them.
 
Randy

Between the 50's VT-231's and the Sylvania's you have about as good as you or going to get without getting into "holy grail" tube territory which will cost a fortune. If you want to explore others I would call Andy at VTS and talk to him and tell him what you have and what sound you are trying to achieve. With the tubes you have you have one known for mid-range and the other for bass drive. I have tried multiple of the current production 6SN7's and forth the most part they are just as expensive and don't sound as good. My 2 cents and like jadedavid I have tried a lot of them. For a start swap the ones you have and see what you hear.
 
I like NOS Raytheon 6SN7’s.
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The NOS RCA’s are also excellent.

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1578 tube is also worth a try and a good 6SN7 replacement:

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Good advice guys, and thanks Jack. Always a voice of reason.

I have tried all three sets in the Audio Mirrors. The Sylvanias seemed maybe a tad bright, but very nice detail, and open sounding. The included tubes were not bad but I like the RCAs the best. More open, both deeper, and more mid and upper detail. The sound stage with the VT-231s was simply stunning, which is something I really enjoy.
 
Agree the Raytheon GTB's are a good fairly neutral tube as are the halo getter or D getter Tung Sol GTB's as well as the 50's Hytron's and all are in the $60-70 range per tube from Andy. And that sounds about right with the tubes you have and the rest of your gear. If you've got a quiet pair of the VT-231's enjoy them.
 
Yea, the "Gray Glass" seem quite as any and I definitely prefer their sound. So it sounds like I have a pretty decent driver tube for now.

Maybe try an exotic after tax returns :)

Andy? Remember I am getting old and can't remember crap. Glad I can copy and Paste code I wrote before or I might be sunk, at work :D
 
Vintage Tube Services. The Smoked/Gray glass RCA's are really good I just didn't have that great of luck finding ones quiet enough for a preamp. They worked fine as driver tubes in amps though. Andy sells them graded for the application. On the Sylvania's the farther you go back in time the less forward they are but also the more expensive as rarer.
 
For the Input tube I got both the original NOS tube and a buddy recommended these NOS Phillips 6SL7s tubes that I got from Hong Kong. They seem to be very nice.
 
Randy

I don't have any experience with 6SL7's like jadedavid does so I would take his guidance on those plus I don't know which tube in that amp was designed to have the most effect on the sound signature.
 
I was told the 6sl7 to get a solid tube, but the 6sn7 makes a bigger difference sound wise.
 
Then for now you are good to go with the amp as you also have the ability to roll tubes with the new preamp to tailor the sound even more.
 
Looking forward to the new pre-amp arrival... Not sure how much rolling capability there is with it, but we will see :)...
 
i have found the audiotubes.com site helpful, at least as a starting place, in choosing tubes to try/roll...

6sn7 info is here: http://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm

for RCA specifically: "...the RCA tubes hold the fort with deep impressive bass and rich and liquid midrange tones. The top is silky. The best examples are the VT231 greyglass types, and the early GT. The famous red base 5692 types are mellow and smooth thanks to their slightly lower Gm, with a beautiful 3D soundstage. Best bargain in the RCA camp is the early GTB tubes. Same rich sonics and these are usually priced well below all other types!"

there is also a 6sl7 section here: http://www.audiotubes.com/6sl7.htm

fwiw... i always pay up for tubes that test with with low noise / microphonics and balanced triodes
 
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