Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Raytheon-JAN-CRP-6SN7GT-VT-231-Vacuum-Tubes-1944-Balanced-Matched-on-Hickok/392787627010?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I am listening to Jazz music including " I left my heart in San Francisco" through Raytheon vt231 that cost me 65$ from Ebay auction.

I had lived in Berkeley hill overlooking Golden Gate bridge from 1984 to 1987.

This tube does not sound pure as Syl,TS, RCA vt231 with some lively edge.

But Jazz music sound more realistic through this Raytheon tube.

It is really fun to go through nice 6sn7 tubes.

Although 1578 give nice bass and soundstage, but it sound boring with Jazz vocal music due to closed in treble.

I’m loving my new 1578’s that shkong recommended (1980). They’re in the gain stage of my Atma-sphere S-30 and they sound as good if not better than TS Round Plates. The low-end is deep and tight with liquid mids, and the highs are extended yet extremely smooth. Clear and quiet, revealing the softest sounds in a deep and wide soundstage.
Right out of the box (there is no box, they’re in rolls) music had the greatest sense of realism I’ve heard in my system. They’re so transparent and tonally accurate that the tube search for this amp is over.

There are 6 input tubes in the amp; each channel uses two tubes in the gain stage plus the phase inverter (driver). The 2nd gain tube is a Sylvania GTB, the driver is a Sylvania GTA angled plate.

Other 6SN7s I’ve tried in my amp or preamp are:
Sylvania VT-231, which does everything well but is weak in the bass.
Sylvania 1950s GT Staggered plates
Sylvania 6SN7WGT
KR VT-231 WWII
RCA VT-231 & GT black glass
RCA GTB 1950s Silver label
T-S Black Oval Plates WWII
T-S GTB 1950s Triangular plates
Russian 1960s 6H8C black base

I’m sure I’m forgetting some.

@lowrider57

It is good to hear that you enjoy 1578 tube that I had recommend to you.

You also had gone through many 6n7 tubes.

1578 has the best bass, widest and deepest soundstage and sweet treble.

The only drawback of 1578 is that when I play lady vocal, I prefer Sylvania or TS vt231 due to more details

I know what you’re saying. The design of my amp with the extra tube stage allows me to add additional flavours. The Sylvania GTA Angled Plates have high-end energy that works well with female vocals. No sibilance, but crisp mids and highs.

@lowrider57 

i understand what you mean by mixing tubes.

Schitt Freya also use quad 6sn7 tubes, two for gain, two for buffer.

Kenrad  vt231 at gain and Syl vt231 at buffer work best for me.