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Smoother tube than RCA 6080?

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Posted on April 6, 2023 at 19:13:56
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 Hi. I am wondering if there is a smoother, warmer and less fatiguing tube than the already good gray plate RCA 6080. I like its balance and transparency, and it is highly fatigue free when coupled with the top Bugle Boy 6DJ8.

But I prefer a tube that is warmer and more musical. A Mullard perhaps?

 

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RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 6, 2023 at 21:56:16
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 I am currently looking at the GE 6SN7GTA or Sylvania 6SN7GT. Which is smoother and sweeter?

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 6, 2023 at 22:31:02
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 I'll add the RCA VT231 to the list.

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 08:04:42
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 16796
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 The 6080 was meant to be used as a pass tube in a series voltage regulator. Not as an audio tube. It is not very linear.
What type of circuit are you using the 6080 in?

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 11:43:04
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 The 6080 is being used in a David Yee output transformerless single ended dual triode headphone amp. It sounds remarkably good for a tube that is not linear!

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 11:57:34
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 16796
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 Do you have a schematic? Maybe the 6080 is being used as a cathode follower. A cathode follow works with 100% local current feedback and will force the tube to act linear. If that is the case, then I don't think you would hear an improvement by going to a different tube.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 12:08:02
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 I don't have a schematic. There are only 2 tubes in it (6DJ8 driver), and it came with a black-plate RCA 6SN7 (still good).

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 12:15:23
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 16796
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 There are only two tube? one 6dj8 and one 6080? Which socket does the 6sn7 go in? P.S. I know that the 6080 would only fit in the 6sn7 socket but you can't sub a 6080 for a 6sn7. Those two tubes are very different.


Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 12:18:33
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 The 6080 replaced the RCA 6SN7GA.

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 12:24:32
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 16796
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 That is unthinkable to me. The 6080 is way different than the 6sn7. For one thing, the 6080 draws 2.5 amps of heater current, the 6sn7 draws .6 amps of heater current.

The 6080 has a plate resistance of 280 ohms, the 6sn7 has a plate resistance of 6700 ohms. The 6080 has a mu (gain) of 2, the 6sn7 has a mu of 20.

The one will not work properly in a circuit designed for the other.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 12:28:03
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 Oop's. The tube that the 6080 replaced is actually an RCA 6AS7GA!

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 7, 2023 at 14:04:23
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 16796
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 Those two are the same.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

it is a OTL 6080 headphone amp., posted on April 8, 2023 at 08:53:03
bouncy ball
Audiophile

Posts: 1213
Location: British Columbia
Joined: July 26, 2003
 you may try tungsol 5998, WE 421A if you are in the mood of swapping tubes.
GEC A1834 as well. None of these are cheap.

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 9, 2023 at 11:26:27
Ian L
Audiophile

Posts: 1310
Joined: July 5, 2002
 The tube may not be responsible for what you're not liking.

I believe that circuit uses the 6AS7 as a cathode follower driving a capacitor output. If so, the sound may be influenced to your liking with a change to the output capacitors or depending on what was used, a change to other components - mostly resistors. If you post a pic of the circuit showing the components it may give inspiration for suggestions.

Playing with the tubes may get you the sound you want but then it's just a matter of buying and trying.
Different combinations of driver and output tube will affect the bias in a directly coupled circuit too, which can certainly make some difference to the sound.

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 12, 2023 at 21:06:55
Sherlock
Audiophile

Posts: 3741
Joined: January 13, 2002
 If you want a smoother and sweeter 6SN7 try NOS Brimar from the 50s/60s.

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 13, 2023 at 15:34:49
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 I am currently running my RCA Black Plate 6AS7GA with a Mullard 6DJ8. The Mullard is definitely not warm and cuddly. If anything, its completely transparent!

 

RE: Smoother tube than RCA 6080?, posted on April 13, 2023 at 15:45:45
SoundMann
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Joined: October 21, 2015
 Listening to Steely Dan's Can't Buy A Thrill lp, you can clearly hear the marked difference that some of these tracks present. All of the instruments sound more realistic, especially the cymbals.

Listening to Dave Brubeck's All Time Greatest Hits lp, you can hear a wide and vast soundstage, with very clear image placement.

 

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