Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes

@dlcockrum ok update on Melz noise issue. Seller told me 30-40% of these older Melz tubes have noise issues due to old tin solder in the pins. He told me to heat each pin with a solder iron and get them hot enough to repair internal joints. He said it rarely doesn’t solve the issue. I got my solder iron out and the noise is gone now👍! Time will tell if the noise stays away🤞. These tubes paired with my DAC 1974 Reflector 6N23P Single Wire Silver Shields is beyond what I thought my modest system had in it. They just sound better in every way with zero fatigue. I am truly surprised the impact tubes can make.It is going to be hard to switch them out but each tube has its pro’s and cons.

@tksteingraber 

I have read that it’s closer to 50% of them are noisy/microphonic. That’s pretty good odds of getting bad tubes. You really need a competent and honest seller if you are going to buy them. 

@dlcockrum my light bulb E-6SN7 LinLai pair arrived and have 80+ hours on them now.  When I first played them they sounded quite bright with a booming bass and recessed dull midrange.  I was ready to send them back but read they needed 50-100 hours break-in for them to come to life.  On my system and my ears the LinLai  tubes have improved noticeably with break-in hours.    My assessment pretty much matches some of the other thread postings out there.  The Good:  excellent clarity, quiet, nice instrument separation, wide soundstage, fantastic tight clear deep bass. The not so great: treble on the bright side, soundstage is wide but flat lacking 3D depth, midrange just lacking a bit - just missing that full resonating sound.  Overall this is a very nice new construction tube.  I feel the LinLai’s had a Solid State kind of sound or digital vs analog analogy when compared to NOS.  I would highly recommend them for amp builders and anyone who doesn’t want to get into the NOS tube intricacies.  I could be very happy with this tube but I still prefer my NOS ‘50’s Melz, Sylvania GTA chrome domes, 6fg8’s.  I do like them better than Sylvania vt-231 and Ken-Rad black glass vt-231’s which I feel are a step down from the others listed.    Granted this is just my opinion, on my system with my ears and preference for the warmer tube so take it as such.  I will continue to give them more playing time.  They are definitely keepers and I will enjoy them for a different flavor choice.  

@tksteingraber Thanks for the thorough description of your listening impressions of the Linlai E-6SN7 tubes. Sounds like a good tube overall yet probably not one I want to add to my stable based on the weaknesses you noted.

The 1982 Melz 1578s have settled in very nicely as they accumulate more hours. I definitely place them in my top five. Still a touch forward in the upper mids but no longer objectionable. Their superb soundstage and bass continue to impress and, despite their reputation, one of the quietest tubes I own.

What’s up next for you? Perhaps a pair of Tungsol 6f8g round plates?

@dlcockrum I would not say the Linlai E-6sn7 has “Weaknesses” they are just subtle differences that I felt a few Nos tubes provided that I preferred.  The Linlai’s are really an excellent new production tube. No Tung Sol’s RP’s for me just too pricey for their performance review.  Looks like I am done adding 6Sn7’s.  I feel I have hit most of the key good 6SN7’s and have a good selection.  Selling off ones that just aren’t special to reduce collection.  It was a fun experimenting on my own system.