Hytron CBS 5692/6SN7 Tubes

thsmith · July 2010

I have been on the hunt for some 5692s for my Wright WLA12A preamp. I have 2 pair of Sylvanias and 1 pair of RCA 6SN7s.

They all sound good but I have been reading about the 5692 RCA redbase tubes and thanks to Mr. Daniels I have a pair coming.

In the mean time I found a pair of Hytron CBS 5692s matched at a descent price.

They arrived lastnight so I warmed up the amp, preamp and phono preamp (all tube) for about 30 minutes and then spun some vinyl.

Of my NOS 6sn7s I always preferred the RCAs but the Hytrons are another level above.

The soundstage is now solidily wall to wall and about a foot taller.

Better seperation and depth.

I was not expecting such a dramatic upgrade in sound with the Hytrons but I had read they are nice tubes.

I can not wait to get the redbases to compare.

With my NOS 6sn7s I always hear the source selecting control click when I change sources in the speakers but the Hytrons I do not.

The Hytrons are build like the RCA redbase tubes with 5 support rods, blackplate and triple mica.

Overall very happy !

zingo · July 2010

I agree. Hytron tubes sound good and are a great value compared to a lot of other NOS tube brands out there. Congrats on the find!

dkg999 · July 2010

I've always liked the sound of the Hytron tubes.

thsmith · July 2010

Glad to hear others already know the majic of Hytrons

Face · July 2010

How would you describe their tonality compared to other 6SN7's?

heiney9 · July 2010

If the Hytrons look the same as the RCA's, especially the "red series" tubes, they are most likely the exact same tube with different markings. I know all the 5691's out there with a red base are made by RCA and are the exact same tube no matter whose markings are on them and they sound the same.

But, I guess that doesn't explain the differences you are hearing, does it

.

Enjoy, I love tube rolling.

H9

P.s. Are the Hytrons a "true" 5692? Do they have the red base?

P.s.s. I'm confused, do you have the RCA 5692's yet? Because you say of all the 6SN7's you prefered the RCA's until you heard the Hytrons. In your post it sounded like you did and compared them to the Hytrons..............I think you'll find they are very similar.

heiney9 · July 2010

Yeah, I'm throughly confused

:(

H9

When you say RCA's and Hytrons sound better are you talking about the RCA 5692?

heiney9 · July 2010

Keiko wrote: »

Hmmm....I quess I have to revisit the 7728s you sent me awhile back, Brock.

Me too! Since my dac upgrade I've been really enjoying the 1959 Raytheon 3 mica, black plate 6414 and also those Amperex Bugle Boys made in Holland you sent me.

I haven't listened to the CBS Hytron 7728's in awhile.

H9

heiney9 · July 2010

Keiko wrote: »

Did you try those dampers yet?

They work like a charm, thanks!!!! As you know the taller, longer plate 6414/7062/E180CC type tubes can be a bit microphonic since they were specifically made for computer use where microphonics weren't a concern. Even with 3 mica's they were very slightly microphonic but those dampers work GREAT.

H9

thsmith · July 2010

Face wrote: »

How would you describe their tonality compared to other 6SN7's?

For the little listening I was able to do last night I heard an overall improvement specifically the mid range.

I have more listening to do before I can provide more details.

heiney9 wrote: »

If the Hytrons look the same as the RCA's, especially the "red series" tubes, they are most likely the exact same tube with different markings. I know all the 5691's out there with a red base are made by RCA and are the exact same tube no matter whose markings are on them and they sound the same.

But, I guess that doesn't explain the differences you are hearing, does it .

Enjoy, I love tube rolling.

H9

P.s. Are the Hytrons a "true" 5692? Do they have the red base?

P.s.s. I'm confused, do you have the RCA 5692's yet? Because you say of all the 6SN7's you prefered the RCA's until you heard the Hytrons. In your post it sounded like you did and compared them to the Hytrons..............I think you'll find they are very similar.

The Hytrons are brown base and are made by Hytron but have similiar construction as the RCA redbases.

The reference to RCAs were 6SN7s, I have not received the redbases 5692s from George yet.

The Hytrons are labeled 5692 so I have to assume they are true 5692s.

Here is a couple of good pics of a Hytron and RCA 5692s.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360278361632&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-RCA-JAN-5692-RED-BASE-TUBES-N-I-B-202-/280525453949?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item41509eba7d

heiney9 · July 2010

thsmith wrote: »

For the little listening I was able to do last night I heard an overall improvement specifically the mid range.

I have more listening to do before I can provide more details.

The Hytrons are brown base and are made by Hytron but have similiar construction as the RCA redbases.

The reference to RCAs were 6SN7s, I have not received the redbases 5692s from George yet.

The Hytrons are labeled 5692 so I have to assume they are true 5692s.

Here is a couple of good pics of a Hytron and RCA 5692s.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360278361632&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-RCA-JAN-5692-RED-BASE-TUBES-N-I-B-202-/280525453949?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item41509eba7d

Got it now thanks, the RCA's 5692's will most likely sound the same because they are the same tube.

5692:
This is the premimum commercial / "industrial" grade of 6SN7. The most famous of these are the RCA "redbase" series, with their distinctive red marbled full octal bases. These are always in the short glass envelope style, and most have four support rods joining the four corners of the top and bottom mica spacers and supporting the plate structure. These have 10,000 hour life filaments and are very resistant to shock and vibration, making them low in microphonics. The RCA versions have the "stop sign" label on the top of the tube with the number 5692 inside, and on the older tubes this was often smeared off, being printed with a chalky white paint. ALL of the redbase versions of this tube were made by RCA, regardless of the brand on the label. TungSol, GE, and Raytheon can often be found branded on the label, but RCA made them all. Other brands like CBS/Hytron and Sylvania made brownbase versions of this tube, but I suspect all were actually made by RCA, as they are identical inside. The brown and black base versions are a bargain compared to the rare red base types, and most have very similar construction and sonics. These are all really fine tubes, but have been hunted nearly to extinction. I usually only have a few in stock, but they are worth the higher cost in overall long life and great sound.

I LOVE the sound of my 5691's.

Enjoy

H9

thsmith · July 2010

H9, it was actually your comments on the redbase 5691 that had me wanting to try the redbase 5692s. I just wish the 92s were priced like the 91s

In any case I think having a pair of the redbase RCA 5692s and a pair of Hytron brownbase 5692 is a good thing.

I found some Amperex 6er5s that I want to try next for my Wright Phono preamp, it uses 4 of the 6ER5s and a pair of 12AU7s.

I have not seen any Amperex 6ER5s other than from my new secret source;)

heiney9 · July 2010

thsmith wrote: »

H9, it was actually your comments on the redbase 5691 that had me wanting to try the redbase 5692s. I just wish the 62s were priced like the 61s

In any case I think having a pair of the redbase RCA 5692s and a pair of Hytron brownbase 5692 is a good thing.

It all comes down to demand and the 6SN7/5692 is a more popular tube than the 5691/6SL7. Still a NOS pair of 5691's can top $200 or more. I have 2 pairs (used but strong) and I have the other rare Tung Sol 6SU7 GTY from the 40's. These are bringing close to $300 a pair and I have a NOS pair I paid a ridiculously low price for.

I have my eye on another rare 6SL7 which just popped up on Ebay so I'm going all out on those since I never see them FS. Still trying to aquire a reasonably priced pair of Brimar (brownbase) 6SL7's (CV1985) from the Footscray plant, those are bringing about $250 from dealers and still close to that on Ebay if you can find them. Too rich for my blood.

It's a lot of fun hunting and rolling

.

H9

thsmith · July 2010

heiney9 wrote: »

It's a lot of fun hunting and rolling .

H9

Agree

Tubes Rule !

Hytron CBS 5692/6SN7 Tubes

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