Sony SCD XA5400ES tube rolling?

Hi Podeschi

I agree with you concerning the Sylvanias, they are also one of my very favorite 6sn7 providing you procure them from a reliable source and they are closely matched. Unfortunately this is not always the case and it can make a significant difference. A tube tester and reliable tube source is mandatory. For that reason I recommend you trying the Sophia Electric premium tubes. They ARE closely matched and will give you pretty much everything you can ask for in a tube, top to bottom extension, dynamics, balanced soundstage and image placement, a real big deal once they break in. The top end was a bit agressive for the first 100 hrs or so but not now. Do yourself a favor and try them. They aren't exactly cheap at 200.00 a pair but I can't say enough good things about this tube in my Supratek pre-amp and I've tried pretty much all of them except the Tung Sol's. I would expect you will hear these aspects of its performance characteristics in the Sony as well. It is often about the electrical parameters and how closely they match that is going to dictate the performance in a given component and these tubes are seriously matched with greater mutual conductance than any I've measured.

It is clear to me why Dan Wright recommends this tube.

Well, I decided to hear what all this talk about Sophia Electric is all about, so I ordered a pair- should arrive on Sat.

I also want to add that I'm Very satisfied with my current tubes in my Modwright Oppo 83, which are nos Sylvania 6sn7GTB yellow label from the 1960's. It's going to take some over the top tubes to best it. We'll see how the Sophia's perform after their 300 hrs of break-in.

OK, I'm ordering some Sophias. Fortunately, I have 4 6sn7 tubes in my VAC 300.1a amp, so am able to roll same tubes in there. Since the Sophias are so closely matched, I could use them for the input 6sn7 tubes in the VAC.

I'd also like to hear from those who are pulling the trig. on the Sophias and how they sound against the best of the NOS 6SN7, VT231 and so forth brands.
How do they sound against the beloved Sylvania "Bad Boys" or the 'Holy Grail' TungSol's?
This should be interesting..

thanks again guys!

Dave

My $80 1960's Sylvania chrome dome are flat out better.