Another can of worms? Anyone try mixing different styles of 6Sn7’s with success. I had a Raytheon vt231 T-plate that lost it’s partner due to bad noise. On a whim I had just received one of my Ken Rad vt231 black glass and wanted ti try it out to make sure it was good and noise free. Both tubes tested over 100% closely matched. Fired them up and not expecting much but was shocked how good it sounded. Best pair I have rolled so far. Looking forward to the second KR.
@dlcockrum @shkong78 ordered a pair of Nos/Nib National Union 6F8G round plates and adapters. They are branded Raytheon with identical construction as NU. I am using a Mullard GZ34 and Rca 6l6 bottom getter blackplates in my Supratek pre. Should be fun🤞
Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes
I will have shootout between TS BGRP, RCA vt231, KR vt231, Syl vt231, Raytheon vt 231 and "Bad boy" next weekend.
If I get MELZ 6N8S 6SN7 Metal Base next week, then I will also include it in shootout
RCA5691, Psavne Acme 300B, Psavne Acme 805 are also being used in Line Magnetic 508 amplifier.
Speaker will be Lansche 4.1 with plasma tweeter.
Digital source will be Dave and HMS fed by ripped CD stored in ssd drive of Cocktail audio x30.
I will play
Eva Cassidy's 'Autumn Leaves"
"Trinity Sessionn " by Cowboy Junkies
For classical orchestra, "Trittico" directed by Fennel.
"Still harry after all these years" will be for fusion jazz.
Any more suggestion gentlemen and ladies.
Thomas
If I get MELZ 6N8S 6SN7 Metal Base next week, then I will also include it in shootout
RCA5691, Psavne Acme 300B, Psavne Acme 805 are also being used in Line Magnetic 508 amplifier.
Speaker will be Lansche 4.1 with plasma tweeter.
Digital source will be Dave and HMS fed by ripped CD stored in ssd drive of Cocktail audio x30.
I will play
Eva Cassidy's 'Autumn Leaves"
"Trinity Sessionn " by Cowboy Junkies
For classical orchestra, "Trittico" directed by Fennel.
"Still harry after all these years" will be for fusion jazz.
Any more suggestion gentlemen and ladies.
Thomas
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- 246 posts total
@tksteingraber IME, the KenRad VT-231 and NU 6F8G can sound a little closed in (lacking air and sparkle on top) with the Mullard GZ34 rectifier in my system. If you find that to be the case after becoming acquainted with them in your system, try a more lively rectifier like the Phillips 5R4GYS. |
@dlcockrum thanks…that Phillips 5R4GYS is next to impossible to find and big💰. Not sure my modest system is worth it and would benefit much from it. I will keep it in mind though. Have you tried other 6F8G’s? Other good ones in case I want to have other choices? |
@tksteingraber i was fortunate to buy two of the Phillips rectifiers back when they weren’t so pricey. Perhaps someone else on this thread can recommend another rectifier with similar sonics. For now, just see how you like the KR and NU with your Mullard GZ34… I have not yet heard any other 6F8G tubes in my system. It is sometimes said that the other 6F8G’s (TS, Raytheon, etc) sound very similar to their 6SN7 counterparts with the NU being the exception, but I do not have first hand experience with the others. I found this 6F8G thread informative: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/6sn7gt-6f8g-an-exploration-of-wwii-era-octal-tubes.890205/ Unfortunately, as always seems to be the case nowadays, the 6F8G models the author most prefers are unobtainium now (KR round plates and Raytheon dark glass flat plate). I just broke down and ordered a pair of NIB/NOS Melz 1578s (the real ones $$$$). Will let you know what I think. |
Raytheon sounds most brigh and detailed.
On the other hand, NU sounds full or dull.
Sylvania and RCA are in the middle.
Tungsol is also in the middle but overpriced due to some hype. There are GE or other minor labels which sounds also middle.
i had collected more than 10 different labels but they sound different.
I am collector of vintage tubes for fun not for business.
Thomas |
- 246 posts total