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RE: NOS Sylvania 6SN7 "Bad Boys" Score on ebay

I just got into 6sn7 tubes (my other 2 preamps use E88CC's) as I purchased a Cary AE-3 here on the Trader and as is my habit I'll do my research and then buy a spread of used tubes to try before settling on 1 or 2 favorites to stock up on. My journey ended with the "Bad Boys". They do everything well, IMHO they exhibit no weak points as did everything else that I tried. They have a shimmering, detailed top end that is to die for, liquid mids, if a bit forward and a deep, punchy, tight bass - just an excellent tube that fits like a glove in my 2nd system. Below is a list and comparisons of the others that I tried.
Sylvania 6sn7 (same as VT-231)1950 - same top end, slightly drier mids, lacks bottom end

RCA 6sn7 grey glass VT-231 1942 - big, lush, rich sound but lack any kind of detail, just a big lush wall of sound

Sylvania 6sn7 JAN-CHS WGT 1952 - big bass but mids and top end are recessed, kind of like you are standing outside the venue instead of in it

EH 6sn7 new production - this is what came in it and sounded just as bad as I expected. The JM Peach 2 in my main rig came with EH 6922's and they sucked in that also, bright and grainy, no soul no depth

You'll notice that Tung Sol RP's aren't on the list, I bought my "Bad Boys" from Len here on the asylum and he is like Mr. 6sn7 - extremely knowledgeable and he was kind enough to offer some guidance. He felt that there was "just something right" about the TSRP, but in his opinion the "Bad Boys" were a smidge better at the extremes and because the Tung Sols are so sought after that demand has pushed the price of a good pair past the point of diminishing returns. Now at some point I would like to try a pair, but as pleased with the "BAD BOYS" as I am, I won't be running right out to do that.





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