Author Topic: What's the best 6SN7? (Read 8188 times)

mag1193 · « **on:** Aug 15, 2006 at 11:26 AM »

Sirs,
Gusto kong palitan ang chinese made na 6SN7 sa aking preamp, ano ba ang pinakamagaling na 6SN7 base on your experience? thanks.

Superman · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 15, 2006 at 05:54 PM »

it's subjective...and it depends on your amp, circuit of your amp, your taste...etc...

however, some recommended 6SN7s are the VT231 tubes like RCA, tungsol, Kenrad, good luck!

mag1193 · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 20, 2006 at 03:24 PM »

Thanks, superman.... got my sylvania vt231 today...sounds a lotbetter than the chinese made 6sn7's.

amped · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 30, 2006 at 10:53 PM »

Hi guys,

Any idea where to buy 6SN7 tubes in Metro Manila? Baka may downtown stores selling them?

Thanks in advance!
Amped

wraith · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 31, 2006 at 08:28 AM »

yes, its all about system and preference matching.

here are my experiences based on the ones I have:

Sylnania 6SN7W (1940's short bottle)
characteristics: great tight bass slam, and mids are very immediate and slightly forward (giving you that sence of speed and presence). 2nd order harmonics is noticiable throughout the entire frequency range.
pros: very good for vocals, and other solo instrument performances where presence is important (like the cello of Yo Yo Ma). and very articulate overall. very rare and expensive.
cons: upper-midrange may sound "shouty" on bright systems. slight treble roll-off. Sylvanias, over time, have the tendency to turn microphonic, even for the VT231, JAN, and W specs.

RCA 5692 red base
characteristics: very quiet because its industrical grade. This is known to be the sweetest sounding 6sn7 (sweet meaning full of 2nd-order harmonics, and prolonged note decay). tonal balance is neutral
pros: very quiet. will last 15000 hours. the sweet sound will make your system sound as if you have sonus speakers. very good for classical music and large orchestral arrangements.
cons: bad for fast/dynamic music like dance and rock. will make treble notes sound sluggish as "essy" (parang prito ang tunog instead of metallic cymbals). will make mids sound too tamed. in other words, it will not rock!

ElectroHarmonix 6SN7 EH
characteristics: i call this the tube that sound like solid state. its very quiet, but lacks 2nd order harmonics. well, there is some harmonics is the bass region where bass is noticable "rounded" instead of being crisp.
pros: good for rock. quiet. inexpensive.
cons: tubeheads find it harsh-sounding because of the lack of harmonics.

HTH.

PS: To anyone selling Mullard ECC35, Tungsol, or Raytheon variants, please PM me!

H a n $ · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 31, 2006 at 08:40 AM »

Try to look for Sylvania 6SN7w metal base long or short, & Tungsol VT-231.

markmlists · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 31, 2006 at 11:51 AM »

Electro harmonix 6sn7, Solid state sounding? Meaning clear unmuffled mids, deep lows and sizzling highs?

If this tube sounds like a solid state classic marantz, a solid state macintosh or a Halcro then this may be the best 6sn7 out there.

rony · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 31, 2006 at 01:56 PM »

I use sylvania short chrome tops 6sn7w and tungsol/raytheon VT-231.

Look also for Brimar cv1988.

JojoD818 · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 31, 2006 at 05:21 PM »

uy raytheon at kenrad vt-231 meron din ako niyan, aprub talaga.

ArchitecturalAudio · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 31, 2006 at 09:55 PM »

We have a few pairs of NOS Sylvania 6SN7Ws for sale. Please call 811-6715 or 0917-8503548 (Epoy). Thanks

wraith · « **Reply #10 on:** Sep 01, 2006 at 01:54 AM »

Quote from: markmlists on Aug 31, 2006 at 11:51 AM

Electro harmonix 6sn7, Solid state sounding? Meaning clear unmuffled mids, deep lows and sizzling highs?

If this tube sounds like a solid state classic marantz, a solid state macintosh or a Halcro then this may be the best 6sn7 out there.

Sir, solid-state sounding in terms quietness, and lack of harmonics. AFAIK, I havn't made any other claims about them.

I don't know what is the best, or if the best exists. That's why I shared my experiences on which one I use for different applications.

JojoD818 · « **Reply #11 on:** Sep 01, 2006 at 02:31 AM »

hi wraith,

care to share how you measured the harmonics?

TIA

wraith · « **Reply #12 on:** Sep 01, 2006 at 03:13 AM »

I PM'd you sir Jojo.

Please send me your comments about my method. Thanks.

JojoD818 · « **Reply #13 on:** Sep 01, 2006 at 10:30 AM »

Hi,

Thanks for the PM.

markmlists · « **Reply #14 on:** Sep 01, 2006 at 06:08 PM »

Please post naman your method for measuring harmonics for the benefit of all who are new and trying to learn tubes like me. ty

ATJr. · « **Reply #15 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 11:03 AM »

you got to have a thd meter, a signal generator, a scope(optional) in order to do that.

but if you ask me, the best 6SN7 is a 6FQ7/6CG7....

JojoD818 · « **Reply #16 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 05:28 PM »

Quote from: TonyT on Sep 04, 2006 at 11:03 AM

you got to have a thd meter, a signal generator, a scope(optional) in order to do that.

but if you ask me, the best 6SN7 is a 6FQ7/6CG7....

Tony,

mahilig ka talaga sa peanut ha.

boomjam · « **Reply #17 on:** Sep 05, 2006 at 02:05 PM »

I have listened to different 6sn7s such as, EH, Philips, RCA 5962 red base, Sylvania, and cbs-hytron. For overall dynamics and detailed sound, I prefer the cbs-hytron 5692.

eestrera · « **Reply #18 on:** Sep 19, 2006 at 08:09 AM »

Has anyone tried some russion military 6SN7's? any feedback?

Thanks,

eestrera

JojoD818 · « **Reply #19 on:** Sep 19, 2006 at 09:41 AM »

Quote from: eestrera on Sep 19, 2006 at 08:09 AM

Has anyone tried some russion military 6SN7's? any feedback?

Thanks,

eestrera

I was able to try a pair of 6H8C metal-base before, surprisingly, the pair sounded very good for me. The mids are there and the highs are detailed but not bright. The only wish I had was the bass could had been extended, a little bit of low end was missing. The tube was tried on a preamp and a power amp.

Btw, the specimen I had only have the 6H8C clearly visible and some letters (possibly russian) on a circle which I cannot make out.

eestrera · « **Reply #20 on:** Sep 19, 2006 at 08:53 PM »

Quote from: JojoD818 on Sep 19, 2006 at 09:41 AM

I was able to try a pair of 6H8C metal-base before, surprisingly, the pair sounded very good for me. The mids are there and the highs are detailed but not bright. The only wish I had was the bass could had been extended, a little bit of low end was missing. The tube was tried on a preamp and a power amp.

Btw, the specimen I had only have the 6H8C clearly visible and some letters (possibly russian) on a circle which I cannot make out.

Thanks for the inputs sir JojoD. Will check it out this week and see what it really is. Will also post some pics and findings if ever.

Thanks,
eestrera

mag1193 · « **Reply #21 on:** Nov 13, 2006 at 12:31 AM »

Thanks for all inputs!!! Ive been rolling 6SN7's since. Having tried all the VT231'S, i think i like sylvania overall.
On 5692's, i settled for a CBS HYTRON which i think is also made by RCA?

I have a sylvania 6SN7W on the way and recently purchased a TUNG SOL round plates (VTV claims this is the holy grail) and should be trying them on next week. Anybody tried Sylvania metal base 6SN7W's?? Just curious on this one coz' i have seen this guys get sold for as much as $400/pair, must be something on them. Peace all!!!