You should give vintage GE or Sylvania a try. They can be had at very reasonable prices, so you can roll without spending a small fortune. BTW, I use all GE preamp tubes and I like them over others that I have tried!
Tube rolling Question
Hello Tube Rollers
I recently bought my first tube preamp (Blue Circle 21.1). I've noticed I am need of new tubes as the tube whoosh is considerably more noticeable now than 6 months ago. The amp comes with Electro-Harmonix 6sn7 tubes which I appreciate and dig the sound. I will certainly replace these with a the gold pin model as I like the sound profile. Here's my question:
What other tubes might you recommend for a different "flavor" of sound, and just to have fun with. I am a poor audio guy so please no recommendations for tubes that will cost more than preamp.
Thanks in advance.
I recently bought my first tube preamp (Blue Circle 21.1). I've noticed I am need of new tubes as the tube whoosh is considerably more noticeable now than 6 months ago. The amp comes with Electro-Harmonix 6sn7 tubes which I appreciate and dig the sound. I will certainly replace these with a the gold pin model as I like the sound profile. Here's my question:
What other tubes might you recommend for a different "flavor" of sound, and just to have fun with. I am a poor audio guy so please no recommendations for tubes that will cost more than preamp.
Thanks in advance.
- ...
- 22 posts total
Brent Jessee sells quality NOS vintage tubes. Here is a comprehensive description of the sonic signature of each brand of the 6SN7 tube. http://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm My recommendation for a new tube roller would be to try RCA. Classic lush sonics with an open sweet midrange, very good dynamics. A 6SN7GTB is very affordable. Amperex Holland are more expensive, but they make some cost effective types. Incredible 3D soundstage with airy highs. |
Some good info can be found here: http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/6sn7_vt.htm Having tried the top twelve on that list, I’ve been using the Tung-Sol, Round Plates and Sylvania 6SN7W, metal base tubes for years, with no desire to move. SO GLAD I bought a few, before the prices went nuts! Some, that provide almost all the nice attributes as those, but- don’t sell for nearly as much, are the 1940’s, bottom-gettered, Ken-Rad(JAN-CKR) and bottom-gettered, Sylvania(JAN-CHS), VT-231/6SN7GT tubes. The balance of those twelve(that I tried), were all too warm/colored(for my taste, anyway). Here’s a very reliable source: http://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm |
- 22 posts total