6SN7s are dual triode small signal (preamp) tubes. My reply and the information from the Upscale Audio webpage applies to 6SN7s used in a preamp.
"Matching" of dual triode tubes - how close?
I'd like to understand how matching affects the sound & performance of dual triodes. 6SN7s are of particular interest, but I suppose it could apply to any dual triode. There are several aspects to this question - probably closely related, but maybe not:
1. If a tube is not closely matched - let's say for the sake of discussion that the two triodes are within about 20% of each other, under what conditions will the difference be audible? How will it impact the sound? Frequency response? Extension at the extremes? Imaging? Noise?2. In an exchange of messages on a different forum someone told me that the tube matching wouldn't really make a difference - that is, the tubes he was selling were "close enough for all practical purposes". Is this just an attempt to pass off poorly matched tubes? Or is it true?Thanks,Markus
1. If a tube is not closely matched - let's say for the sake of discussion that the two triodes are within about 20% of each other, under what conditions will the difference be audible? How will it impact the sound? Frequency response? Extension at the extremes? Imaging? Noise?2. In an exchange of messages on a different forum someone told me that the tube matching wouldn't really make a difference - that is, the tubes he was selling were "close enough for all practical purposes". Is this just an attempt to pass off poorly matched tubes? Or is it true?Thanks,Markus
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- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total