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Best 6SN7 for the money?

Tube rolling on my Sonic Frontiers was enough to drive me insane with all the 6DJ8/6922 available out there. I now acquired a BAT VK-150 which uses 8 6SN7 per amp (16 total) and I can't possibly roll them all without going broke.

I have read on Agon discussion forum in the past the two front most tubes are more critical, that still leaves me 4 tubes to roll. I also read about Sylvania 6SN7 being a good NOS for the money, but there are so many different Sylvania out there and I don't know the difference.

So I am turning to the experienced Agon members to tell me which 6SN7 to go for, say about $20 to $30 a piece (or $50 to $60 per match pair). BAT owners, should I waste time and money and swap out other 6SN7 with something slightly better?

Thanks in advance.
semi
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
If you have the vk-150, NOT the vk150se, then the front 6sn7's are VERY critical-they are the input tubes. I'd spend the most you can there. So 4 tubes in your case. Then, replace the other 12. Worked wonders in my old vk60. I've since replaced it with a vk75se. Call BAT as well, they'll have some good advice.
jazzdude
332 posts
 
Older 6SN7's are generally better. For the prices you mention, you should have no problem getting used Sylvania or RCA 6SN7GT/VT-231 on eBay. If you go with RCA get the grey-glass.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
For $60 a pair some of the VT231 types would also be my first choice.

The RCA, Sylvania, Raytheon, and Ken Rad (clear glass) can be had in your budget. The RCA are rich sounding; the Sylvania clear and immediate; the Raytheon on the sweet side; and the Ken-Rad good bass drive..

The best VT231 types are the Tung-Sol and Ken-Rad (black glass), but they will run $130 to $200 a pair depending on condition.

I also like the Sylvania 6SN7W. There are three varieties: A short bottle; a tall bottle; and a tall bottle with a metal base. Prices are all over the map; from $60 to $120 a pair; the metal base ones usually the highest..

For a more modern tube, the 1980's vintage JAN Phillips 6SN7WGTA are a nice tube for around $40 - $60 a pair (brand new). They were the stock tube in the original version of the Blue Circle BC21 preamp; and I think were an upgrade tube in some Rogue preamps.

Some others are the Tung-Sol 6SN7WGT that have a similar sound signature to the VT231, just not as clean (they're less expensive as well). Also the early Sylvania 6SN7GT chrome domes...
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