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Need tube help with tube buffer 6SN7 tubes

Hey guys,

I just got a Yaqin CD3 tube buffer. It came with a pair of chrome top (I believe) NOS tubes that were labeled as follows:

JAN 6SN7WGTA

Philips ECG 8626

34167 USA ADC

I'm not going to comment on the effects of the tube buffer yet, except to say that I have heard a difference. I would like to get another set of tubes and was considering a pair of Sylvania Bad Boy tubes. I'm considering these tubes for no reasons other than that I've read good things about them and they are reasonably priced at under $100 for a matched pair.

I'd appreciate any comments regarding the tubes that I have and those that I am considering getting. I'd also appreciate comments or recommendations regarding alternatives. What I'm looking for is a good "all around" tube.

For what it's worth, I'm running an NAD C162 pre, Aragon 2004 amp, Emotiva XDA-1 DAC, Squeezebox Touch (fed by NAS), Paradigm Studio 10 speakers and a small REL sub.

Thanks.
tonyangel
tonyangel OP
309 posts
 
Jmcgrogan2, what you said is the reason why I'm asking about less expensive tubes. I'm pretty sure that any changes brought about by the tubes would be subtle.

Geoffkait, I don't know what to tell you. I've found at least a couple of vendors that have been mentioned here on the gon that have Bad Boys for right at $100 a pair. There's even a guy on here selling some for $120.
brf
1,715 posts
 
In my experience, tubes used as buffers have much less impact on the sound when compared to tubes used in gain stages.

BTW, the Bad Boys listed for $120/pr are not real Bad Boys. True Bad Boys have Three (3) rivet holes, the ones pictured only have two rivet holes.
tonyangel OP
309 posts
 
Brf, are you sure about that? I did some reading up (which is all that I can do) and at least one source (audiotubes.com I believe) say that there is no difference in sound quality.
brf
1,715 posts
 
Yes...true Sylvania Bad Boy can be identified by:

1) 3 hole black T plates
2)1/3 Bottom getter flashing
3) Copper grid posts
4) Silver top and bottom rectangular mica.
5) Date code of 1xx, 2xx or 3xx were 1, 2 or 3 represent 1951, 1952 or 1953 and xx represents the week. Date code is printed vertically on the tube base.
6) Full black bottom base with Sylvania or JAN-CHS-6SN7GT in green letters with the green sylvania triangle.

As for the quality of the sound when compared to other Sylvania tubes, that is very subjective, but I prefer the Bad Boys.
bigshutterbug
390 posts
 
Yes, Brf and other posters are correct... The pairs you see listed on Audiogon right now are NOT true "bad boys". They are standard 2-hole Sylvanias, worth far less than his asking price.
I have spent countless years listening to different brands and versions of 6SN7s in various components, and have found the older Sylvania 6SN7GTA, WGTA, and GTB's sound a bit more forward and less refined than the "bad boy" versions, which have more warmth with a richer and sweeter sound. The older green label GTB's have good dynamics and bass punch, and the tall bottle green label GTB's (hard to find), are quite good. Sylvania also made some short bottle, top gettered, "slanted" chrome dome 6SN7's back in the 1950's that had shiny, black, 3-hole plates. These true "chrome domes" sounded excellent, and very similar to the "bad boy" versions. The sonic differences are quite easy to hear and appreciate.
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