The 6SU7 is a tube of renown for those of us who need 6SL7s. Inexplicably -- I have a pair here... I have no idea where they came from. I haven't had the courage to actually try 'em in the "Simple 2A3" amp, mostly because they're not all that easy to find (IME).
Agree with Brock on the Tung-Sol's. One of my favorite 6sn7 and 6ak5 tubes. If i could afford the Tung-Sol round plate 6sn7 tubes I'd have a pair but they are well out of my reach.
My favorite pair of 6SL7 tubes are a 1951 pair of Tung Sol 6SU7GTY, round black plates. Tight tolerance from the factory! What a superb sounding pair of tubes. Pricey (not as pricey as the 6SN7 version) but worth it.
The early CBS 5814 bp with the flat ladder plates vs. the notched plates is a stellar 12AU7 equivalent. The later ones tend to not be as magical as the earlier ones.
H9
Thank you SIR H9! for leading me to the Tungsol 6SU7GTY tube....absolutely the best 6SL7 variant to my ears out there....on another note RCA 5691 and the 5692 tubes are also fantastic!
Also probably one of the best also is the 50's Brimar CV1985 from the STC Foostscray plant.
Actually not a bad deal. They usually sell for $300+/pr.
Post edited by heiney9 on
"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass
Pass Aleph 30 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Plus DAC | MIT Shotgun S3 | MIT Z P/C's | updated SDA 1C| SQ Box Touch/Welbourne Labs P/S-Tubes add soul!
Just read this interesting thread. I saw DSkip mention the JJ 12AU7. They're one of my favorite U7. I had some really good NOS including Siemens long plate and Mullard, but I found the JJ was as enjoyable as the vintage tubes. On my system and ears, the JJ sounded similar to Mullard but had a more colorful presentation, like vocals sounded very rich and the overall sound was pleasantly warm. I love the JJ's.
I've stopped rolling vintage tubes, but for those using modern production, do you guys notice a "house sound" with different brands?
For example, when I purchase Electro Harmonix, no matter the tube type, I already know what kind of sound to expect. EH have a very strong, open and neutral sound.
JJ's are always warm and more tubey.
I hate when a couple of tubes just hang on the edge and don't light up quite as much as the others. They're sitting there watching me, just trolling... waiting for their opportunity. Hate that!
Main System:
Joule-Electra LA 100 MKIII Upgraded by Rich Brkich Pre
Butler Audio TBD 2250 Amp
PS Audio DirectStream DAC and MemoryPlayer Transport
LSA-1 Statement
SVS SB4000 & SB2000
Wireworld Equinox 7 bi-wire, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7 IC
Secondary Rig:
Parasound P5, Audio Electronics by Cary Constellation
Marsh a200s, Audio Elecrtonics by Cary Hercules
Pioneer Elite DV-45a, Denon DVD-2910
Klipsch Epic CF-1, Vandersteen 3CE sig
Analysus Plus Oval
I hate when a couple of tubes just hang on the edge and don't light up quite as much as the others. They're sitting there watching me, just trolling... waiting for their opportunity. Hate that!
you would not like vintage 2A3s. They barely light up at all.
LOL, I remember getting those kinds of tubes a couple of times on EL34. Depending on how the filaments were placed, sometimes one tube out of four on the amp would look like it's not glowing as much.
Between the physical construction and the 2.5 V direct-heated cathode, the old 2A3s just don't light up much. This can be a recipe for finger burns, too -- don't ask me how I know this
The current production Sovtek 2A3 also doesn't light up much at all.
On the other hand the Sophia/TJ 'meshplate' (perforated plate) 2A3s kind of took things to the other extreme.
Comments
The 6SU7 is a tube of renown for those of us who need 6SL7s.
Also probably one of the best also is the 50's Brimar CV1985 from the STC Foostscray plant.
http://www.tubemonger.com/Brimar_MPs_1956_CV1985_6SL7GTY_SQ_GT_STCFootscray_p/775.htm
I also have a rare pair of 1957 Valvo Hamburg 6SL7 with tall sliverish plates that are superb as well.
In case anyone is interested?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Valvo-JAN-6-SL-7-GT-Vacuum-Tube/223177556292?hash=item33f66b4144:g:ADcAAOSwHWtbt9kj:rk:1:pf:0
Actually not a bad deal. They usually sell for $300+/pr.
Pass Aleph 30 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Plus DAC | MIT Shotgun S3 | MIT Z P/C's | updated SDA 1C| SQ Box Touch/Welbourne Labs P/S- Tubes add soul!
I've stopped rolling vintage tubes, but for those using modern production, do you guys notice a "house sound" with different brands?
For example, when I purchase Electro Harmonix, no matter the tube type, I already know what kind of sound to expect. EH have a very strong, open and neutral sound.
JJ's are always warm and more tubey.
Joule-Electra LA 100 MKIII Upgraded by Rich Brkich Pre
Butler Audio TBD 2250 Amp
PS Audio DirectStream DAC and MemoryPlayer Transport
LSA-1 Statement
SVS SB4000 & SB2000
Wireworld Equinox 7 bi-wire, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7 IC
Secondary Rig:
Parasound P5, Audio Electronics by Cary Constellation
Marsh a200s, Audio Elecrtonics by Cary Hercules
Pioneer Elite DV-45a, Denon DVD-2910
Klipsch Epic CF-1, Vandersteen 3CE sig
Analysus Plus Oval
Backup Gear:
Pass Labs Aleph 30, McCormack DNA-125, Parasound A21
Marantz SA-14S1
Usher CP-6311/Tyler Acoustics Taylo Reference Monitor, LSA-1
you would not like vintage 2A3s. They barely light up at all.
The current production Sovtek 2A3 also doesn't light up much at all.
On the other hand the Sophia/TJ 'meshplate' (perforated plate) 2A3s kind of took things to the other extreme.
Goofy looking tubes, but they do sound good.
The one in the back looks like a jelly fish. That's cool too.
A 2A3 would make a pretty good (albeit small) toaster.