Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes

I think the real question should be if the money you save by using a second tier old stock tube could pay higher dividends by making improvements elsewhere in the system or in the room.

@audition__audio


All vt231 (Syl, Kr, Rca, RT and TS) are in the same tier, not that TS is one notch above .

Bass Kr, Rca, Rt, TS , Syl in the order

Transparency TS, Syl, Kr, RT, RCA

Details Syl, TS, Kr, RT, RCA

Tonal balance Kr, RCA, TS, RT, Syl

Soundstage width RCA, Syl, TS, Kr, RT

Soundstage Depth TS, Kr, Syl, RT, RCA


Thus overall they are close in SQ.

Unless you want see-through transparency, you do not need to pay 500$ for TS bgrp.

Kr is attractive due to best bass and sweet tonality.

Syl is attractive due to excellent details and transparency

RCA give warm and lush sound which make one comfortable with nice bass.

RT is not far behind other ones.

TS’s bass is close to Syl with tight but not full impact compared with KR.

It’s been my experience; everything matters, when it comes to life-like sound reproduction.                I’m not going to skimp on what produces the sound, that’s being projected into my (already maximized) listening room.       What would have been the point, of making all my other system/room upgrades?       Last week; I paid close to $600 (with shipping/insurance), for Brent Jessee’s last pair of round plate Tung-Sols.       These are the forth pair, that I’ve had in my Carys, in the past couple decades.       They proved my top pick, from the upper dozen+, of the Chimera tube trials.        I’ve tried them in concert (splitter and driver), with every other top rated tube, on that list, over those years.       Currently, using a pair of Sylvania, bottom-gettered, 2 hole/T plates, from 1952.         I’ll never regret one cent, spent on any of those T-S beauties! They’ve consistently allowed whatever comes before, to pass without editorializing.      Of course; that’s just my opinion and- who am I to say, what’s right in your room?

@rodman99999


I do respect your personal choice.


Choice of tube or cable depends on system and personal taste.

There is no best thing. for everybody.


I had pulled the trigger for another Kenrad vt231 which fit my personal taste with sweet mid and most strong bass.

Thus I will have 3 pairs of KR vt231 which will outlast me.

Each vt231 has 10k expected hours.

The only tube which has possibility to dethrone KR vt231 is Melz metal base which I ordered 3 weeks ago.

If you rewire your filaments to 8V or 12V the price of NOS SN7s becomes a whole lot cheaper.

Better still don’t use an amp with tubes that every Tom Dick and Harry is using, driving prices up to insane levels. The 6SN7 isn’t the be all and end all by any means, and there are plenty of viable alternatives which don’t have the mythology attached.

If you build our own gear the world is your oyster. Ever heard a really well designed 12B4 preamp?