Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes

If you want to experience 1578 tube, then I recommend this dealer who sent the tube very fast.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-pair-Extremely-rare-1578-6N8S-audiophile-6H8S-6SN7-Metal-base/273874731266


It give some hum and noise at the start but with burning in for 20 hours,  those noise had been almost gone.

The Melz 1578 should be dead quiet with no buzzing or hum.  If you want the best of the best 1578 look for a pair manufactured in the 70's.  Tung sol black glass round plates are over rated (for their asking price) and their price is due to their rarity.

@ testpilot

Two pairs of 1578 sounds clean without noise or hum and one pair give some high frequency noise before full 20 minutes warmup.

Thus I am happy with my three pairs of 1578 made in 1980 and 1983.

I agree with you that TS bgrp is overhyped.

One can get pair of Sylvania vt231 which sound close to TS bgrp around 150$.


But 1578 is not for everyone.

Its balance is bass heavy and closed in at treble compared with Syl vt231.

shkong78... i disagree with you on the Tungsol Round Plate black glass.  Not an overhyped tubes,  ‘One of The Best ‘ if not ‘ The Best ‘ for single ended triode amps for vocal! 

@zipost


I do not think TS bgrp is bad tube.

But Sylvania vt231 also give spooky details and transparent window as well as TS bgrp but at one third cost.

Law of diminishing return apply heavily in audio.

I have pair of Telefuken 12AX7 tubes whose lively and nuanced details I enjoy.

Thus I could understand why you like Telfuken 6sn7 so much.


For most of people, they do not need to go for TS bgrp to get nice lady vocal sound.

They can be happy with Sylvaniia vt231 which I had been happy for 2 years in LM 508 amp.

I am listening to Beethoven Piano concerto using 1578.

Piano sound so natural through 1578 that my judgement on 1578 as "Holy grail of 6sn7" could be justified.

But choice of tube is dependent on system and personal taste.

Thus I understand that other people may have different opinion.

Thomas