Anyone try modern 6sn7 Shuguang WE type vs NOS RCA,Ken Rad


I just bought a KT-88 amp that uses 6sn7’s and the matching preamp uses the 6sn7 tube also. It came with kt88 Shuguang WE plus and all 6sn7’s in the amp and preamp both came with the same Shuguang WE plus.
 

I have a huge stash of old 6sn7’s Ken Rads vt231, gray glass rca, Sylvania vt231 and many others. I am going to pull them out this week and see what these new production tubes can do.

 

I’ve never used new production signal tubes. To be honest the Shuguang sound pretty good but have never compared them to anything. 

 

What are your views on these new tubes are they even close or as good or even better? Are they cheap and will go up in smoke, thanks for any insight.

paulcreed

@paulcreed  My amp uses 6 input tubes. They are in pairs from front of amp to back. Measuring outer diameter at closest position there is 1" between L & R tubes. However, only .25" between front pair, middle pair, and rear pair. 

 

 

 

 

Paul, it's funny you mentioned the sound of your Ken Rads. I'm burning in a pair of NOS from Vintage Tube and there are rolled off highs and no bass extension. So yeah, you need some more hours on those tubes.

 

@noske  Interesting, no dealer network. I would only buy the pair in the box, dont want any loose tubes from China.

Oh, there are outfits like Grant Fidelity that are dealers. I dunno, perhaps others.

I still think its outrageously disingenuous for the manufacturer to use the CV181 name. Its an identity which contains important information.

Its inaccurate and sloppy and absurd.... have the post-modernists taken control of the asylum?

Things are tricky enough at the best of times with tubes without us poor sods (I’m sure I’m not the only one) having to go in circles trying to figure stuff out.

End rant. Phew.

@lowrider57  sorry, stepped away from the thread for awhile. Just checked the Viva tube website and I do not see where they even have shuguang, just psvane. The measurement given of 2 inch width is spot on @1.98 inches. I purchased mine off ebay from Vicaudio_1 out of China but he does not show them for sale at this time. I have seen them pop up on Audiogon from a dealer out of China and for some reason I want to say it was Pavanedirect, I even tried to order them from him when I bought mine but they were out of stock. I believe Grand Fidelity has severed their ties with Psvane. If you can find a pair and squeeze them into your set up, you will not be disappointed. FWIW, I have tried a few sets of the Psvane and Shuguang 181 (grey glass) treasures in several different applications and didn't like them at all. Enjoy the music