Tube rolling 6SN7s

thunderbrick · « **on:** 18 Dec 2019, 03:52 am »

Modwright LS100 preamp (love it), and looking something that might take a hint of my SS amp's edge off. The Primare A32 is astounding, but is just a tad bright.

Suggestions? Hoping a slightly warm tube set will do the trick.

Thanks!

'brick

Tyson · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 05:44 am »

Best 6SN7's ever made were the old stock Tung Sols, IME. They will give you that big, beautiful classic tube sound. After that it varies, but my 2nd faves are National Unions. Westinghouse tall boys are 3rd but still a really solid choice. All of these will give you a sound very far from edgy or strident.

thorman · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 11:58 am »

You can't due any better than Sophia Blue Glass 6SN7's in my opinion...As long as you need a touch of warmth,,,they will do just fine. Not cheap but no good tube is.........

belle harbor · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 12:05 pm »

Blanket tube recommendations are a complete waste of time and money as performance will vary depending on circuit parameters. The only way to find out what is best is to experiment with your equipment and ears. Tubes which sound wonderful in one circuit can sound like crap in another.

mreeter · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 12:53 pm »

In my LS-100 (love it as well) I've found that the RCA VT-231 has a nice, smooth tone to it.

Another tube thats sound quite good(in my set up) is the Sylvania (Chrome Dome 6SN7)

I've tried the Shuguang Treasure CV-181, but it was too bright for me

screener · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 02:40 pm »

The RCA 5692 Red Base is a contender.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 03:24 pm »

These are among the very best, for a great price! Some like these better than the holey plate version that goes for several times the price...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-MELZ-6N8S-6SN7-Metal-Base-Tubes/264514226219?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

jtcf · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 03:29 pm »

I like the Sofia Blues also.The Sylvania chrome tops are worth a try too,being inexpensive.They will take the 'edge' off,but I find them rather bland sounding in my amp.But they may be perfect for yours,ya never know.

jeffreybehr · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Dec 2019, 07:34 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 18 Dec 2019, 05:44 am

Best 6SN7's ever made were the old stock Tung Sols, IME. They will give you that big, beautiful classic tube sound. After that it varies, but my 2nd faves are National Unions. Westinghouse tall boys are 3rd but still a really solid choice. All of these will give you a sound very far from edgy or strident.

I agree about the Tung-Sols if they're the old oval*-plate versions.. They have a musical, slightly warm tonal balance that's JUST right for music. Another type that's serving well in my Atma-Sphere MA-1s is the BRIMAR CV1988/6SN7GTY curved-plates. I got some of those from Upscale Audio early this year, but he might be out of them.. They're now quite expensive...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/STC-BRIMAR-CV1988-6SN7GT-ECC32-B65/264525601445?hash=item3d96f45aa5:g:9bgAAOSwkXBdxMf0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRIMAR-CV1988-6SN7GT-TUBES-THE-HOLY-GRAIL-EXTREMELY-RARE-Platinum-Match-AT1000/264555155073?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40719%26meid%3D3d3e0e8240144214b6cc80777de81b23%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D264525601445%26itm%3D264555155073%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

IMO, they have a very similar tonality to the TSOPs.
.
* Used to be called 'round-plates'.
.

rotarius · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Dec 2019, 01:30 am »

Well, KenRad black glass would work great and are up there as one of the best. Nice bass and sweet highs. The Melz and Foton tubes from the 50s and early 60s are wonderful, great bass extension and just a touch on the warm side. Don't have to give an arm and a leg for them either unlike the TS roundplates. RCA grey glass are very syrupy but don't have the extension. Cbs/Hytron bottom getters are good overall as are several Sylvanias but I don't consider any of them on the warmer side. GE 6sn7GTA perhaps as an affordable option.

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Dec 2019, 03:51 am »

Sylvania and RCA best ease the edge with my preamp. Report back for others benefit.

mreeter · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Dec 2019, 01:23 pm »

Quote from: DaveC113 on 18 Dec 2019, 03:24 pm

These are among the very best, for a great price! Some like these better than the holey plate version that goes for several times the price...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-MELZ-6N8S-6SN7-Metal-Base-Tubes/264514226219?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

What is the difference in tone and or quality between the Tube in the link above and the Tube listed here?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-MELZ-1578-6N8S-6SN7-Metal-Base-Hole-Plate-Tubes/264524115870?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20191024074956%26meid%3De40290a2147f4df79bf6cde21eaf0e11%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D264514226219%26itm%3D264524115870%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

toddc2 · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Dec 2019, 03:12 pm »

I really liked the RCA VT-231 and Sylvania's in my previously owned LS-100. My personal favorite was the RCA redbase.

rotarius · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 Dec 2019, 03:26 am »

Quote from: mreeter on 19 Dec 2019, 01:23 pm

What is the difference in tone and or quality between the Tube in the link above and the Tube listed here?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-MELZ-1578-6N8S-6SN7-Metal-Base-Hole-Plate-Tubes/264524115870?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20191024074956%26meid%3De40290a2147f4df79bf6cde21eaf0e11%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D264514226219%26itm%3D264524115870%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

Really not much. With the Soviet tubes, there are slight variations in construction and sound with different date codes. I have Melz and Foton from 50s and 60s.
My Foton factory ones from 1965 are shockingly good. Got them from Ukraine, one is microphonic but works great. I can be a 6sn7 snob since I have around 50 vintage pairs from kenrad, sylvania, Tungsol, etc, but these 65 Fotons in my beloved Aes AE3 preamp are in the top 3.

Lincnabby · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Dec 2019, 04:01 am »

Hi brick,
I love love love 6SN7s. I’ve tried many varieties and it can be hit and miss, depending on your gear and the age/condition of the tube. I’ve had several preamps and a Woo headphone amp that ran them. Currently using a Don Sachs pre that uses 4 of them. Shuguang Black Treasure CV181Zs are very nice for a modern tube- very quiet, holographic with full top to bottom sound- but they’re getting harder to find. I wasn’t impressed with the PSVane CV181T IIs, very detailed and clean but lacking bottom end. Similar to Sylvania VT231s, which some love for their top end clarity. Both of the previous tubes are what I’d call more “hifi” versus natural and musical. Vintage Tung Sols are good, especially GTs (GTA or GTB not quit as good) and I currently use Tung Sol GTW military tubes- very nice clarity with good tone and a bit of warmth and very nice bass. Also like the RCA GTs very just an excellent all around musical and clean tube that does everything well. The GTs and the VT231s are basically the same tube, just stricter tolerances for military for the VTs. I’ve also tried RCA 5692 and other versions of 5692 and I personally found them very clean but pretty overrated- no great tone, bass shy, and very expensive. But again, perhaps just not a good synergy with my mix of components, wires, etc.
I will also recommend Andy at VTS- he’s not cheap, but his 6SN7s did not disappoint like some from ebay and the usual used sites.

Jon L · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Dec 2019, 04:37 am »

Quote from: Lincnabby on 26 Dec 2019, 04:01 am

I love love love 6SN7s.

I personally do not like the 6SN7 family after trying dozens of them at high expense, including the legendary Tung Sol roundplates, Sylvania metal base, Bad Boys, Raytheon, Kenrads, etc, etc. None was "the one" with near-perfect balance top-to-bottom without significant flaws. What I would like is a 6SN7 tube that combines the technical prowess of Sylvania metal base with the soul of RCA VT231 Grey Glass, but that does not exist.
It's actually a bit strange because I have been able to find "the one" in most 12**7 types, EL84 types, 2A3, etc with much less effort.

Tyson · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Dec 2019, 04:43 am »

Quote from: DaveC113 on 18 Dec 2019, 03:24 pm

These are among the very best, for a great price! Some like these better than the holey plate version that goes for several times the price...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-MELZ-6N8S-6SN7-Metal-Base-Tubes/264514226219?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Thanks Dave, just bought a pair from that auction, based on your rec.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Dec 2019, 07:55 pm »

Depending on how much room is available in the amp, talk to Dan and see if the 12AU7 would work out okay in the unit. With an adapter, you can easily install 12AU7 tubes into a 6SN7 circuit. It will simply provide you with additional options to play with.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Dec 2019, 08:05 pm »

Quote from: Jon L on 26 Dec 2019, 04:37 am

I personally do not like the 6SN7 family after trying dozens of them at high expense, including the legendary Tung Sol roundplates, Sylvania metal base, Bad Boys, Raytheon, Kenrads, etc, etc. None was "the one" with near-perfect balance top-to-bottom without significant flaws. What I would like is a 6SN7 tube that combines the technical prowess of Sylvania metal base with the soul of RCA VT231 Grey Glass, but that does not exist.
It's actually a bit strange because I have been able to find "the one" in most 12**7 types, EL84 types, 2A3, etc with much less effort.

Do you know what operating point the circuit used?

IMO, they need to be used at higher plate current, they are very popular and not always used properly. But they are one of the most linear tubes made.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Dec 2019, 08:15 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 26 Dec 2019, 04:43 am

Thanks Dave, just bought a pair from that auction, based on your rec.

At that price, I got 2 more pair... I have one pair in my preamp now, sounding just great.

I think they are sold out now.

They are silver plate, looks black in the pic, but again, the price is very fair. I have a pair of identical tubes with black plates I paid $50/pair used, these are $40/pair new.

I also have the 6SL7 (6N9S Soviet version, I think) as the gain stage for my driver section, these have gone up in price a bit but are still a great deal for 6SL7 if anyone uses them.