[bladesmith]

Gentlemen,

I have a question about tubes.  I am a die hard tube fan and love all tubes. I believe they all add flavor in one way or another and I know people like/dislike different tubes for different reasons. To me, tubes are like adding spices to food, too much/little and the dish come comes out tasting right/wrong. I like 6DJ8, 6SN7, 12AT7, 12AX7, 12AU7, etc, etc tubes..... And I go back and forth using a 6DJ8/12AU7  buffer and a 6SN7 buffer, depending on my mood.

So, I have tried adding some 6SN7's to my set up and I like them. I have not yet compared/tried 12SN7's. But, I have heard they are the same. (?)   

That being said, what do you say ?

Has anyone actually compared the 6SN7 to the 12SN7 tubes ?

Can you get more/less the same variety of tubes in the 12 volt as the 6 volt tubes in the SN7 style ?

Thanks,

V....

[FullRangeMan]

6 and 12SN7 are the same tube, not substitutes of course.
Seems 12SN7 have a stronger electrons emission.
12SN7 are not famous and much more cheap;

[Freo-1]

12SN7's and 6SN7's are the same tube.  Only real difference is the filament voltage (12.6 vs. 6.3).   My DIY power amps employ 12v tubes (1625 vs 807) and 12SN7 vs 6SN7.  The 12 volt tubes are just as good or better for audio, and they cost less. 

[rockadanny]

While I have not been able to compare a specific 6SN7 to its 12SN7 counterpart, I have been able to find 12SN7s I like as much as 6SN7s. And since my Mapletree Audio linestage preamp can take either (with the flip of a switch), I am able to save lots of money purchasing 12SN7s instead of the 6SN7. Yet another reason why I love my Mapletree. 

[bladesmith]

Any recommendation(s) on 12SN7's ?
Any brands/years you like best/better in 12SN7's ?

(I'm looking at a new buffer/preamp that would use both types, 12sn7 and 6sn7.)

thanks,
V...

[JohnR]

Pah. 12SN7s are terrible.

[bladesmith]

Fess up JohnR......

Which ones do you like the best ?

V...

[JohnR]

Ah, well I don't have a specific recommendation, I have some GE and RCA NOS stashed. I'm not much of a tube roller 

[bladesmith]

John,

What do you think about the GE vs RCA, have you had a chance to hear them ?

V...

[FullRangeMan]

John,

What do you think about the GE vs RCA, have you had a chance to hear them ?

V...

+1

[Tyson]

Stop talking about 12sN7's, no one wants a new bidding war.   Just keep talking up the 6sn7's and let the 12v version keep existing in obscurity.  Thank you!

[jparkhur]

and don't say anything about 12SX7GT's either..  shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[FullRangeMan]

This include the wonderful RCA 12SN7 black plate?

[Ericus Rex]

While I have not been able to compare a specific 6SN7 to its 12SN7 counterpart, I have been able to find 12SN7s I like as much as 6SN7s. And since my Mapletree Audio linestage preamp can take either (with the flip of a switch), I am able to save lots of money purchasing 12SN7s instead of the 6SN7. Yet another reason why I love my Mapletree. 

I don't know why more manufacturers of 6SN7 amps and pres don't include this switch.  It's a very simple addition to any design employing an even number of tubes.

[jparkhur]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=133241.msg1413011#msg1413011

I sold my amps, no need for my loves to sit idle.   

Jon

[bladesmith]

I don't know why more manufacturers of 6SN7 amps and pres don't include this switch.  It's a very simple addition to any design employing an even number of tubes.

On the flip side, maybe the supply would be greater than the demand. And drive some of the high prices down on the 6SN7's.
Although, that might be a bit naive on my part. I think some of the prices on 6SN7's are a bit ridiculous.

V...

[Freo-1]

I'm partial to the very old Sylvania types.  I've got a quad in my 1625 power amps from 1951 that sound great.

[FullRangeMan]

I don't know why more manufacturers of 6SN7 amps and pres don't include this switch.  It's a very simple addition to any design employing an even number of tubes.

The power transformer had to provide 6 and 12V what is a extra cost.

[JohnR]

I don't know why more manufacturers of 6SN7 amps and pres don't include this switch.  It's a very simple addition to any design employing an even number of tubes.

It could be the risk of blowing up tubes. I would imagine the last thing any manufacturer wants to hear is that a customer put some valuable "NOS" 6SN7 into a socket switched for 12V heater...

I've blown up tubes by not getting the heater setting right in my tube tester... fortunately only once or twice...

I was looking at a circuit the other day that automatically switches for 12 or 6V. I don't understand how it works...

Even then, 12SN7 means old stock only. Don't most manufacturers supply new production tubes with their units? If there were 12SN7 in current production maybe it would be a different story.

[FullRangeMan]

I was looking at a circuit the other day that automatically switches for 12 or 6V. I don't understand how it works...

It may be a micro processor doing this difficult job for a lazy audiophile.