Preamp Deal of the Century

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Slowhand,
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Mine is in the 6sn7 format and it is just wonderful (using Tungsol, Black Glass, Round Plates).
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I just can't imagine with all we do (spend) that it would be worth it to try to save on the tubes at this level.
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Having said that, I have not heard both configurations. You would have to hear both in the same system to be able to discern the real difference.
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I would ask Mick which set up sounds best with the best tubes in place and assuming your budget will allow (even it won't), go for what will be the best sound.
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Thanks for starting all of this for all of us.
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Hi Gang. Perhaps I should chime in here regarding the 6J5. The 6j5 is basically 1/2 of a 6sn7, whereby the 6sn7 is a dual triode and has two triode sections and the 6j5 has just one triode section.In the cortese,they both do the same job.For those that are interested,go to my post [ 09-09-04 ] Cello....Tung-sol rounds? It doesn't get any better than that IMO.I had better take this oportunity to thank you for the tape drive you sent me......Thanks again sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar. In my syrah, it inevitably boils down to the "voice" of either the sylvania 6sn7 wgt metal or the tung-sol round. With live jazz in an intimate small club setting or smaller chamber works etc, I love the tung-sol round here. Large classical recordings,or live power rock and blues etc... I prefer the voice of the Slvania metal. An interesting anology here and some food for thought.... To acquire nos sylvania metal based 6sn7 wgt's in a box, typically sells in the $200/pair neighbourhood [if you can find them] whereby the same vintage sylvania 6j5wgt metal with identical single plate construction will typically cost around $25-$30/pair. There are tons of different brands, vintages and flavours of the 6sn7 dual triode, however... for voicing the syrah in my rig,there are only 4 or 5 choices of 6sn7's, albiet all great ones. 1- Sylvania wgt metals, 2-tung sol rounds,3-kenrad blacks,4-rca greyglass gt and 5- the Ge sidegetters. By contast; there are also many choices and flavours of 6j5 as well as substitutes. Because the 6j5 was actually a precurser to the 6sn7, there were many types, from ST bottle shaped 6j5's, metal tube 6j5's, standard glass versions with flat plate construction,round plates and so on. Further more... unlike the 6sn7,there are also substitutes like the 6p5,6c5 and the 7193.To qualify things here gang. I am not saying the 6j5 is better than the 6sn7........just want to make everyone here aware of the options open to them regarding supratek preamps.

Hey guys,

I couldn't resist any more and went on to order a Cabernet after reading all threads! By the way, Mick said he was changing from 101D to PX4 tubes in the Cabernet. He claimed that the PX4 was more stabile than 101D. Isn't PX4 meant good for power amps only? Any comments? I only listen to CDs I and I hope this "leap of faith" is justified! Thanks.

Kenji

Well guys, a little bad news. The WE 350b's came today, and shit, one's screwed. So much for that. At least the seller indicated in his ad that he offered money-back if something was wrong with them. I'm going to take them and get them checked before I send them back, just to be sure.

This sucks. The only good thing that happened because of it was that I tried some of my other 6l6 tubes. I put in a set of NOS Sylvania Jan 6l6wgb's, and they sound better than the Tungsols. Go figure....

Hi Kenji,

l ordered a Cabernet several months back that is now ready for shipment. In Micks email from last week he said "it is sounding superb- we just had another creative burst with it and it is even more involving". l am guessing my unit will have the PX4's as a shipment of these held up delivery of my amp.

Hopefully next week l will have it.

Cheers Simon