5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tubes

Iso...nice catch on your part also! Wig is indeed thinking of the Bad Boys since he was using VT231s which are a 6SN7 substitute. I can't believe I missed that. I actually have several pairs of Sylvania Bad Boys. Great tube btw...

So, all of this begs the question, which is better the early '40s Sylvania VT-231 or the later early '50s Sylvania 3 hole 6SN7GT? My understanding is that the "badboy" is sonically very similar to the VT-231 but without its bass shyness. So, the question is, is the VT-231 superior in other ways to the "badboy." Air, high frequency extension, smoothness, etc.

Geoffkait,

Sound wise, they are both very similar but the Bad Boys doesn't have the bloom and extract more details from guitar pics/slaps; they're just more transparent in pulling out the slightest amount of ambiance and details from the recording...

The VT 231 may be a little smoother due to the bloom they project but It's a matter of preference for sure.

Just put my new golden lion genalex in my Modwright power supply. Right out of the box there was an improvement in the base depth. I am using the Sophia's for the Sony ES5400 player and have been toying with the idea of some 40's NOS Sylvania's. Has anyone moved on from the Sophia's?

Goose, I think these Gold Lions are going to be hard to beat based on my experience so far. PSVane claims they have a 6SN7 equivalent that people really like in ModWright gear. One of the ModWright website photos shows an Oppo with the PSVanes. You might give Dan Wright a shout and see what he has to say about them.