What's your favorite preamp tube?

Emil · « **on:** 31 Mar 2018, 06:27 pm »

6sn7? 6922?, 6H30?

I may be in the market for a new preamp. You're thoughts would be helpful

Thanks
Emil

S Clark · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Mar 2018, 06:35 pm »

I have two Dodd pre's with different tubes. One with the 6H30DR and one with Valvo 7dj8's. The two tube version (the Valvos) is warmer and very easy to listen too. I looked long and hard to find the best tube for that unit. The one tube pre with the 6H30DR has detail in spades, but not to the point of harsh. Both have good soundstage width and depth.

Wig · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Mar 2018, 06:43 pm »

I love Tube Pre-Amps that utilizes 6SN7s, just a much fuller and organic sounding tube. Definitely recommend Don Sach's DS2...

www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=138092.0

http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/custom%20line%20stage.html

ATB,
Wig

orientalexpress · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Mar 2018, 06:50 pm »

My favorite is aesthetix calypso ,they’re 12ax7 for gain stage and 6922 for the buffer stage.only pre amp that able to replace my tap-x .image ,soundstage and dead silence,not many tube pre amp can said that.

Tyson · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Mar 2018, 06:53 pm »

Without a doubt the 6SN7 is the best sounding line level tube that's commonly available. IME.

Lets put it this way, I ran tube preamps for years and years using the small 9 pin tubes, partly because they looked cooler than Octal tubes. But once I finally gave Octals a chance, there was no going back. And I have a box in my basement filled with tons of NOS tubes from Amperex, Siemens, Mullard, Telefunken - 6922s, 12au7s, 12at7s, 12ax7s, 12bh7s, ECC99s, etc... and they all just lay there, dormant.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Mar 2018, 08:36 pm »

The circuit matters 100x more in a competent design.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Mar 2018, 09:25 pm »

+1 on the 6SN7 family, for more gain 6SL7 or the Russian version 6H9C cheap and sound good.

However I have an amp with it I dont like the 12AX7 family, too weak output, although the 6922 is a interesting tube due the many subs available not a neglegible feature:
6N1P 6N2P 6922 6H30 6DJ8 7DJ8 7308 PCC88 ECC88 E88CC E288CC 6N1 6H23P-EB Siemens 8223 GA7 CV5358 5670

sfox7076 · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Mar 2018, 09:44 pm »

10Y, 01A and 101D.

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Apr 2018, 12:03 am »

No reason to settle on a particular tube. This preamp has interchangeable circuit boards, each designed for a particular type. 6922, 5687, 6fq7, 12au7, 6sn7, etc. There are many more boards available than what's shown on the web page. Available as a basis model, or tricked out as much as you can afford.
http://www.musicaldesign.com/MC_Cham.html

sfox7076 · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Apr 2018, 03:42 pm »

I am a four pin DHT fan. 01A, 12A, 26, 101D. Harder to implement, but so much more rewarding to my ears. I had a Concert Fidelity before building my current preamp.

Emil · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Apr 2018, 04:05 pm »

can anyone here describe the sonic differences between the 6sn7 and the 12sn7?

DaveC113 · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Apr 2018, 04:25 pm »

Quote from: Emil on 1 Apr 2018, 04:05 pm

can anyone here describe the sonic differences between the 6sn7 and the 12sn7?

Zero, it's just heater voltage. My preamp can use either as it has a 6/12V heater switch.

Emil · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Apr 2018, 04:31 pm »

Quote from: DaveC113 on 1 Apr 2018, 04:25 pm

Zero, it's just heater voltage. My preamp can use either as it has a 6/12V heater switch.

Thanks Dave
Why would you think a manufacturer would offer both as an option?

RDavidson · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Apr 2018, 04:41 pm »

Versatility, would be my guess. More tube options (of the same type), using the same circuit.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Apr 2018, 04:44 pm »

Quote from: RDavidson on 1 Apr 2018, 04:41 pm

Versatility, would be my guess. More tube options (of the same type), using the same circuit.

Yup, and often the 12V versions are less expensive.

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 Apr 2018, 01:32 am »

I believe LTA introduced the MZ 2 with only 12sn7 output tubes because they are so much less expensive than the 6sn7s of the same branding. Then, many customers asked for a 6 volt switch to utilize tube collections they already had. The current version uses either type. The gain is also variable by using either 12at7 or 12au7 in the input/driver position.

roscoe65 · « **Reply #16 on:** 2 Apr 2018, 12:34 pm »

Quote from: Rusty Jefferson on 2 Apr 2018, 01:32 am

I believe LTA introduced the MZ 2 with only 12sn7 output tubes because they are so much less expensive than the 6sn7s of the same branding. Then, many customers asked for a 6 volt switch to utilize tube collections they already had. The current version uses either type. The gain is also variable by using either 12at7 or 12au7 in the input/driver position.

The 12SN7 is usually less expensive than the 6 volt version. As an added bonus, it allows substitution with a 12SX7 high-performance version.

roscoe65 · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 Apr 2018, 12:39 pm »

Quote from: Emil on 1 Apr 2018, 04:31 pm

Thanks Dave
Why would you think a manufacturer would offer both as an option?

Mapletree Audio already makes preamps with 12SN7/6SN7 switches. They also have outboard power supplies and plenty of room to work. However, they do have a old-fashioned "kit" look about them.

mav52 · « **Reply #18 on:** 2 Apr 2018, 02:10 pm »

BAT VK-33se

DaveC113 · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 Apr 2018, 03:01 pm »

Quote from: roscoe65 on 2 Apr 2018, 12:34 pm

The 12SN7 is usually less expensive than the 6 volt version. As an added bonus, it allows substitution with a 12SX7 high-performance version.

12SX7s can be extremely microphonic but do sound nice. I have a few and don't use them for this reason.