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Hello. I have an Antique Sound Lab KI22 Fox amplifier. It came with 6 Sovtek 6SN7's which I swapped out for Sylvania Chrome Top GTB's, (big improvement IMO). I now have an opportunity to buy a matched Quad of NOS Sylvania VT231's for $210 US, (not replacing the 'preamp' tubes so only need 4).I've done some searches and seen some mixed opinions on the Sylvania VT231's, (some love them, some say they're bright and lack bass, etc...). I asked the person selling them if he had any NOS Tungsol or KenRad and he doesn't. Anyway my question is, while I understand that opinions / tastes are personal, should I expect to see a substantial improvement going from the GTB's to the 231's? Also,does this seem like a fair price, (from what I've seen it does to me but I'm not that experienced with this kind of stuff)? Thanks in advance.
Follow Ups:
The Syl VT-231 is very neutral, has extended high frequency with, surprise, excellent bass. It is slightly forward sounding and doesn't have quite the soundstage or robust midrange of a Syl MB6sn7, but it is one (as is the '52 version) of the top 3 or 4 6sn7's in my experience. Your experience with the sound of any tube is going to be unique to your preamplifier. The sound you hear from the tube is going to depend significantly on the electrical parameters, bias etc, of the circuit it is installed in. Don't rely on someone elses opinion unless it is in a preamp (or other piece of equipment) of your type. If you have adjustable bias that would help.Yes they are getting increasingly expensive, 4 years ago I bought a pair of Syl VT-231 for $19 (and a pair of KenRad's for $17) and now they are, what, about $110 or so a pair NIB? So if you can get four NOS, or near NOS for $110, it sounds like a good buy. They don't make them anymore so they aren't going to get much cheaper than now, especially considering the economy.
We will eventually get to the point where like with 6922's, we start hearing the term "NOS" applied to certain Russian or chinese 6sn7's tubes! Most equipment will not eat tubes, unless there is a defect in the product or the tube, and should give you a least a couple of years of good service. NOS tubes are cheap entertainment when you think about it.
Second that and triple it :-)
Haven't tried the Syl. VT231's but I have tried a KenRad. I still prefer my chrome GTB's.
Some say they are dark sounding but IME they have a naturalness of tone that is right. Again, IME the RCA has way better bass than the Syl VT231 (which IMO is practically nonexistent) and a midrange and top that is much sweeter and more natural. They also don't tend to be as susceptible to microphonics as much as the Syl's. As mentioned by others, searching for "The Voice" with 6SN7's can lead to ones financial ruin. $50 each is a fair price for either the NOS Syl or RCA.
They're $50 each now huh? I remember just 2 years ago I had two boxes of 50ea and was selling individuals for $20!!
Price wise, like it or not (I surely don't), $100/pr. seems to be the going price on eBay now. As long as they are real NOS, you are not robbed.Sound wise, I believe they can sound bright and lean in some systems. It also depends on what you are looking for. If you want more resolution and extension on high, better midrange immediacy, and more air around instruments, then this should be among the top choices. If your system is already lean and bright with Sovtek or Syl GTB, then try them only if you are adventurous.
Oh, by the way, yes many reported Syl VT-231 being microphonic. But if you are only using them as driver tubes, this is usually not a concern.
VT231/6SN7 game can ruin your bank account rather quickly. If you like what you hear, stick with it.I have what seems like a bazillion 6SN7/VT231 types, and so far, in MY amp/system, I prefer the Sylvania VT231. But I can see where it can be the wrong tube. Compared to other VT231 (Raytheon, etc), Sylvania does sound brighter in low to mid treble, maybe a bit much in push-pull amps. But in my 45SET, it complements the naturalness of the amp to give that immediacy I love. The extreme top treble is not as extended as some others, such as my Sylvania Metal Base 6SN7W, but then again, the metal base doesn't have the immediacy in midrange.
Another dark horse you may want to dip into is the CBS/Hytron 6SN7. Usually not as expensive as the VT231 types but every bit as good or better IMHO. It sounds somewhere between the Raytheon VT231 (smoother) and Sylvania VT231...
In my system, the Sylvania VT231s are very extended up top, a bit too bright and is lean overall. I would guess they'd work well for you if your system needs a bit more sparkle. I have several of them and many are microphonic so you may want to take that into consideration before spending big $$ for them.
All that I can say is try them. I experienced great differences between 6SN7s in my Syrah, and I clearly prefer the old brown base Sylvanias.As to price, all I can suggest is checking Ebay's completed auctions. You might not be able to find comparables, however. I don't really know what "matched" really means. How closely matched, and on what parameters?
I have about 50 6SN7 from my search for the perfect tube, so it is not an inexpensive exercise you are embarking on. Perhaps you should be happy with the chrome tops.
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