Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes

@ pesky_wabbit


I found that Nos12sn7 tubes are available at lower price.

But I like full and sweet sound out of 6sn7.

After having spent 2800$ on buying 25 pairs, I found my favorite Kenrad vt231.

But I do not mind using some other 6sn7 tubes from time to time to taste different flavor.

My journey on 6sn7 is almost over.

The only remote possibility is what will happen if I like Melz metal base.

I’m a 5692 red base guy.  Best of all worlds in my gear...

This thread prompted me, to look at my tube stash.    If anyone wants to audition the Ken-Rad, bottom gettered, black glass, 6SN7GT/VT-231/JAN CKR; I just counted eleven.    All from the early 40's and still new.    Even one pair marked, "Tung-Sol 6SN7GT".   Yeah; they're another one, that I liked with my round plates.     Never knew there was a Melz metal base.     The internals resemble the round plate's (X2).      It'll be interesting, to hear your reactions.

Couple thoughts:
1. I *really* think you need to include shuguang WE6SN7 plus and CV181-TII in the group you audition. However,  these will require some period of break-in. So that might slow down your testing and comparisons. 
Many folks who have rolled all the tubes you are testing have come to the conclusion that these new production tubes are right up there with the best of the old best NOS tubes. 
2. Do you think you need to be concerned with burn in when you are testing these tubes?
3. There are several great 6SN7 threads out there.  Please add your comments to these threads on head-fi and here on Audiogon.  Look for 6SN7 reference and 6SN7 tube addicts threads. 
Keep it up. 

Although I have Shuaguang Black 181z, it is not Nos, it will not be included here since it is not Nos.

I had already done comparison between Sylvania vt231,and Shuaguang Black 181z about one year ago.

My conclusion is that although latter sound warm and organic, it falls short of the former in details and transparency.

Thus it is not in the same league as five vt231 tubes here.

But its performance will be close to 6s7ngtb made in 1950’s which can be bought at 50-60$ per pair.


Some pre amplifier makers recommend new production tubes.

The reason is simple

They can get hundreds of new production tubes but not hundreds of Nos tube.

Thus they can not design their amp based upon Nos tubes.

I am not going to expand my inventory more than 14 kind of tubes that I already have.

This is subjective test for fun.

Choice of tube is dependent on personal taste and system.

Thus people should try themselves in their system.