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In Reply to: RE: My Favorite 6SN7s. posted by Michael Samra on September 28, 2016 at 01:10:16
Everyone seems to love the Tung Sol roundplates.
I have never seen them at a hamfest or at any of the out of the way tube dealers I have met through them. I refuse to pay the $150 or $200 bucks each to try them. The price of premium NOS 6SN7s has gone through the roof in the last 10 years.
For driver tubes, I love the short bottle Sylvania 6SN7W. These can still be found for under $100 each as millions were made for the military. Up until about 5 years ago I was getting them for as low as $40 a tube and bargains can still be found. Almost the equal of the tall bottle metal based Ws that go for roundplate prices.
The 52s are nice, but not as clean as the Ws as drivers in my amp. The NUs are great but finding good quality pairs is becoming difficult. The RCA VT-231 are nice sounding but just too coloured IMO. Ditto the RCA 5692. The mouse ears Tung Sols are nice but have less punch and top end sparkle then the best Sylvanias in my amp.
Love talking about 6SN7s (can't you tell?) my favorite tube to collect (and roll)!
Follow Ups:
This thread reminds me I have a pile of 6SN7s to part with someday soon. I no longer have any gear that uses them, and had hoarded quite a few nice pairs back when I did. The TSRP and Sylvania Metal base were among my favorites at the time, though in general all the 6SN7s mentioned here so far have good sound and their own charm in several ways. Hard to go wrong with vintage 6SN7s in general.
And looks at the internal structure of a well regarded 6SN7 they can find them rebranded as a no-name or less regarded brand for much much lower prices. They may even have a few in their junk box.
I think the bottom getter Sylvania GT some with the Mil. Part No. VT231 is a very good tube. The 1952 tube AKA the Bad Boy is even better, but don't limit yourself to only 1952. Some 51s and 53s are the same construction as the Bad BOy, better said perhaps as the 3 rivet or 3 hole plate. Brent Jesse tells his customers that the 3 hole plate tubes are not better than the more common 2 hole. Last I looked at his 6SN7s for sale commentary. I disagree given the sound firstly and backed up by physical differences seen in the comparison of the two after a careful dissection.
I have pre CBS Hytron, don't recall brown bases.
The 5962 was mentioned thought to be all from a single source despite labels, red or brown base. I know the red, too soft for me as is the Grey glass NU also Mentioned. I keep some examples for myself. The Ken Rad is easily the bassiest 6SN7 except perhaps the TS RP which is more well balanced sophisticated all around. The 33S30 is a legend that few have heard. Even the British B-65 as rare and reportedly special sounding as it is, still shows up for sale here and there.
One reason these prices are increasing is not just the ever dwindling supply but also an increased demand. Circumstances have forced me to use headphones (HP) lately. The good news is the HP listeners are in a general and broad way the interest of a younger generation and a good fraction are "Philes". When they hear that one tube is the more exclusive one they appear to be dead set on having the. Instant sophistication?? Well if even a small fraction of the braggadocio I read on those forums is true, then there really is a new demand. It is not for RCA graphites or greys, but TS RPs yes.
Finally, I notice all have been restrained in not mentioning ECC32s or ECC33s.
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