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Need a recommendation on low microphonic good NOS 6SN7 tubes for use in a pre-amp. Like clear open sound, but not too bright.Thanks.
Follow Ups:
My favorite is the '40's Raytheon flat-plate VT-231.
I, too, am looking for clear and open 6SN7s. So far, the only one that has those characteristics is the current-production Electro Harmonix. It makes all my old production 6SN7s (including the Sylvania VT-231 and 6SN7W) sound hopelessly slow, colored, and rolled off.Having installed the EH 6SN7 in my CJ MV60SE, I can better determine what the upstream stuff sounds like. Bu I ust warn that if the source is steely-sounding, the EH will do nothing to cloak that fact. So, when I use the steely-sounding Naim CDX2, I often get nicer sound by substituting one of the aformentioned Sylvanias.
-Lummy The Seahorse
I believe the "steely" sound is the grit I'm referring to. IMHO, it is really the fault of the tube, not what's upstream.The CJ MV60 is a relatively slow, colored, and rolled off amp. I think the EH works in your system by balancing off the amp's personality. FWIW, of all my gear, the EH works best with my Audio Note, which is also colored.
Sonics will vary based on the circuit, but I'd recommend you look into Sylvania 6SN7GT/VT-231 and Hytron 6SN7GT. Both are clear and open.I disagree with the two opinions below. The EH, while cheap and relatively high value, is not in the same league as the better NOS tubes (granted, which you pay a premium for). I currently have about a dozen EH 6SN7-Gold. It's a respectable tube at best, though gritty (especially in the treble) and/or compressed in some applications. I really don't think it's what you're looking for.
I'll second the Hytrons, possibly add the Raytheon WGTs.
While the EHs are the best of the current production, I don't really care for them either.
Jack
FWIW, yours is the first post or report I've ever seen/heard describing the EH as "gritty" or "compressed".
Oops. Compressed was an inappropriate word (the EH has good dynamics). What I meant to describe is that I find the EH somewhat congested. It also possesses a hard sound (ie, "gritty") in Supratek, Cary, Singlepower, Korneff, and Audio Note ... at least when compared to the better NOS 6SN7s. For these reasons, I don't think it will serve BJordan's purposes well. But of course it's all application dependant.For $20 a pop, it's a fine tube and competitive with some NOS tubes, although you can arguably get the same performance from a $10 NOS GE side getter.
You can buy an EH without the gold pins (same tube otherwise) for about $10 too! Thanks for clarifying Len!
Jim, I guess the 'gritty' post answeres my post. It just depends upon the circuit. Case in point- the Sylvania clear mica 'Y' plate outperformed the Sylvania 'T' plate in just one application in a serious DIY 45 amp. In other circuits, I prefered the 'T' plate every time.
Don't chase those NOS, the current production EH 6SN7 is a very good and balance tube.
Do they have to be NOS? Because I think the 6SN7EH is just about ideal for what you want. They're cheap, so they have no snob appeal, but they work really well.
Jim, I know you use the 6cg7/6fq7 and no doubt have experience with the 6sn7 line. I know questions like the following put people on the spot so feel free to pass. Given the 6cg7 is more or less the same tube in a nine pin and is a whole lot cheaper can you comment on how it compares with the 6sn7 with regards to sound quality.
Russ
I think I prefer the 6CG7 just slightly, but honestly that may just be because I work with them more. I would say the 6CG7 is SLIGHTLY warmer in a given circuit than a 6SN7, but it's hard to pin down.Having said that I would likely use the 6SN7 in a new design. The sockets are easier to work with, and the EH tube has made wonderful 6SN7 performance widely available again. The supply of NOS 6CG7 is getting low, and while it's not a rare tube as yet, it may be not too long before it is.
I'll take a good example of either tube over a bad example of the other, everytime!
Although circuits & various tubes have different results, would the new 6SN7EH perform as well as the Sylvania 6SN7GT 'T' plate performs in most circuits?
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