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Best current production 6SN7 type as compared to NOS?

76.220.25.80

Chinese? Russian? Meh?

Am building, OK, said more accurately 'assembling' an cheapo preamp 'kit' from boards and chassis parts purchased on the 'Internets'. It uses a pair of 6SN7 type tubes.

Current tube preamp has a hitch in it's getty-up and it may take awhile to find the schematic plus dig out my gear (scope, etc.) set up a workbench (where?) in this small house and do serious repair work. OK, but it's cold in the garage!

And the kitchen table is OUT OF BOUNDS for DIY projects for some reason. =:-0

I have a number of supposedly 'great' NOS 6SN7 types in my basement tube stash from decades ago (TS Black Glass Round Plate, etc.)

Having recently heard the new PSVANE Type II KT-88's compared to NOS TS solid plate 6550's in a really decent PP amp, I'm not so sure that new production tubes lag all that far behind NOS, if even at all.

OTOH, I've always favored NOS in the area of small signal tubes as they seem to have more effect on SQ that power tubes in some gear.

Follow Ups:

RE: Best current production 6SN7 type as compared to NOS? - Jack G 07:29:40 12/29/14 (1)
For current production, the EHs aren't bad. The TS reissues are noticeably warmer, but still retain some of the EH house sound.
Jack
- I've got enough NOS to last a couple lifetimes... - Ivan303 09:37:58 12/29/14 (0)
  but just curious.
  
  Was surprised that one of my favorite 6SL7 types (NU Black Glass) sounded a bit veiled when compared to some recently made Chinese equivalent, at least when used as a phase splitter/driver in a decent sounding PP amp.
  
  Again, as mentioned below, circuits matter when comparing tubes.
  
  And I thing this particular PP Amp was 'voiced' for Chinese tubes as that's what the builder uses.
RE: Best current production 6SN7 type as compared to NOS? - SETdude 09:14:41 12/28/14 (1)
Ivan, I'd try what I have on hand first. However, there are some excellent new production 6SN7's. As you well know..the 'best' is circuit dependent. ;-)
- RE: Best current production 6SN7 type as compared to NOS? - Eli Duttman 14:11:48 12/28/14 (0)
  "As you well know..the 'best' is circuit dependent."
  
  On target! There are too many variables, including: the room, the unit, and the listener's ears, to categorically state a particular variety is the absolute best. What is known is that a number of varieties have excellent "track records" and 1 of that group will be "best".
  
  I agree with trying the tubes already on hand. If the OP wants to try a decent current production variety, the "reissue" TungSol should be considered.
  
  Eli D.
RE: Best current production 6SN7 type as compared to NOS? - Mick Wolfe 08:42:17 12/28/14 (1)
I have a very fussy friend with an Atma-Sphere pre-amp. He swears by( not at ) the Psvanes. Not sure what particular version though.
- RE: Best current production 6SN7 type as compared to NOS? - samoliver1214@gmail.com 10:17:59 01/02/15 (0)
  Hello,
  
  I love the psvanes,mkii I think and the shuguang cv181... I don't have much experience with nos 6sn7... ive tried sophia electric and tj 6sn7 which are thse same and didn't like them.
  
  Thanks

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