Tung-Sol Reissue 6SN7 vs EH 6SN7 - Differences

Concerning the Sylvania 6SN7W: Of the two types(short/Tall, with either metal or plastic base) The tall have exquisite sound stage, imaging, dynamics in all octaves and transparency. The short are equals everywhere, but- have a tremedous amount of energy in the upper freq.s, and- If your system is at all bright: they will singe your ear hairs. The other Holy Grail of the 6SN7 family is the TungSol 6SN7GT round plate, bottom getter(not the mouse ear)from the 40's. Everything the Sylvania has with a slightly deeper sound stage. That's what I get when using them in my Carys anyway. Another tube that is very close in sound to these is the Syvania CHS/6SN7GT/VT-231 bottom getter from the 40's. Just a little less sound stage depth, but the same liquidity and transparency(much less expensive). Another less expensive entry to NOS tubes in this family is the Ken-Rad VT231 bottom getter from the 40's. I've only included the tubes that exhibit the greatest transparency/least coloration. Yes- It's hard to find these tubes in closely matched pairs and they are expensive, BUT- as stated: They will improve your system like an equipment upgrade, and are worth the time and every dime! The Sylvania 6SN7W was the only top-getter tube that I found worthwhile.

IMHO, if you are using new production 6sn7's in any critical spots in your audio gear, you really don't know how good your system can sound until you try the vintage 6sn7's, i.e., the tung sol round plate, the Sylvania 6sn7w, or even the more reasonably priced RCA 6sn7GT grey glass. All of these are better than any new production 6sn7's. However, if you are using the new tubes in circuits that do not critical effect sound they might suffice.

jfrech, not sure if it's me you're asking, but in the input section of the 75SE I'm using 6SN7EH, Tung Sol reissue 6L6, and 6H30pi/EB. The new Tung Sol 6L6 has great tone, and IME there is only a slight gain in this unit with NOS 6H30DR.

I noticed you've added some nice cables to your system. I strongly suggest you consider replacing the two-foot lengths of $.40/ft IC cable used inside the 150SE.

Dave

sorry Dave on your name !

I guess I'll order (gulp) 12 of the EH 6sn7's and I will try the Tung Sol 6v6's. I think my 6h30's a good a little longer, using a 2 yr old set of dr's from when I retubed my 51se last. I wish I would have bought a pile of the DR's then. But I agree with you, at these prices, maybe I can live with the pi/eb's.

I have been reading your posts on the 75se mods. I do feel squeemish buying this expensive interconnect/power cords then open the covers on some gear. Also, I have that same "cable" connecting both halfs of my amps internally as part of the bridging circuit. Using what looks like automotive type plastic connectors via another 6 inches or so of wire.

How hard is the rewire job? BTW, What part of the world do you live in?

Woops, 6V6 not 6L6.