Recommend.... 6sn7 tubes....best bang for the buck

larry777
larry777 Posts: 480
edited December 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
What are the better 6SN7 Tubes that give you the best performance/cost ratio ? I see a lot of New and NOS tubes available on line and its hard to determine what the better ones are. I don't think its just a matter of saying that if you spend more, you will get better performance. So what are the SMART CHOICES for your money ?
Home Theatre.............

Pioneer SC-35
Polk RTi10's Fronts
Polk CSiA6 Center
RTi4 Surrounds
SVS PB-12 Sub


2 Channel.............................

Yaqin MC-100B
Energy RC-70 Speakers
Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
Van Den Hul Interconnects
Post edited by larry777 on
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Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2012
    What are you using them in ?

    In my Wright preamp I like the treasures. I have tried most of the NOS and they while they sound good they can be noisy. The treasures sound good and are quiet.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited December 2012
    I have a Yaqin MC-100B Integrated Amp on the way that should be here today. Its my first tube amp,so I want to gather information about what brand tubes should be used when the stock tubes are replaced. ( 2 x 12AX7....4 x 6SN7...4 x KT-88 ) I saw another recent thread about the 12AX7 tubes which was very good and wanted to get something similar going about the 6SN7 tubes.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited December 2012
    The Sylvania 6sn7GTB are nicely extended and airy. Any of the 50's or 60's production should work well and be worth a listen. A lot on the used market as it was heavily produced.
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited December 2012
    The EH 6SN7 are my favorite. I prefer it over the NOS offerings. That's if you're looking for detail/accuracy. The NOS I've tried are on the warm/lush side and lack the "snap", detail and speed of the new production EH. The Chinese 6SN7 are a good alternative to NOS without breaking the bank. They're warmer and more lush than EH. Reliability is excellent from the 2 pairs I tried.

    Hope this helps.
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited December 2012
    I know nothing of 6SN7 Amplifer applications . . . However, the 6SN7s that I do employ for my PreAmp are . . . .

    I am very happy with the Syl JAN 6SN7Ws from WWII as well as the Tung-Sol GTBs and the RCA GTBs (from the same era) . . . Full and robust, ymmv

    G
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited December 2012
    Sylvania's are the best bang for the buck! I like the RCA 5692s. I have not had any noise issues with most family of tubes in my preamp.
    Carl

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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited December 2012
    There is also the Shuguang Treasure CV191-Z. I remember a few members here saying it's the best 6SN7 they've tried. The bottle is bigger so if you decide to get them, make sure your amp can accommodate them.
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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited December 2012
    Thanks for the comments and recommendations. I will refer back to this thread when I am ready to buy.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited December 2012
    I have 4 NOS Tung SOl 6sn7 tubes that I'm not using if you are interested or Sylvania 6SN7 tubes
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited December 2012
    schwarcw wrote: »
    Sylvania's are the best bang for the buck! I like the RCA 5692s. I have not had any noise issues with most family of tubes in my preamp.

    I just got a pair of Sylvanias for my Yaqin CD-3 buffer and I LOVE THEM!!! I have also had recommendations for the "red letter" RCA's.
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
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  • outlander
    outlander Posts: 218
    edited December 2012
    I’ve tried quite a few 6SN7’s in my Conrad Johnson CAV-50 and my favorite is a 1940’s RCA smoked/gray glass. I find this tube to be very relaxed and warm with great detail.
    O
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited December 2012
    trav0810 wrote: »
    I just got a pair of Sylvanias for my Yaqin CD-3 buffer and I LOVE THEM!!! I have also had recommendations for the "red letter" RCA's.

    I've tried both the silver and red letter RCAs. I'm not sure there is a difference. Both sounded good, but I think the Sylvanias are better.

    The Treasure tubes are supposed to be nice. But as Organ said the tall bottle may not fit all equipment. They will not fit inside my Rogue Model 99. I also understand there are some knock off Treasures out there. It's probably best to buy them from somebody like Grant Fidelity. He checks and matches his tubes.
    Carl

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