Recommendations for new-production 6SN7

[thorpej]

Subject says it all... looking for recommendations for new-production 6SN7s.

Thanks!

 

[mroboto]

Tung Sol 6SN7 GTB reissues are good, i prefer Good old Sylvania 6SN7GT with T plates, but they hardly comes new or cheap...

 

[multichamp12]

I am also interested to hear about what are everyone's favorite 6sn7s. Although I am not interested in new production. I am running RCA 6sn7s but have heard good things about sylvania brown base and tung sol.

 

[mkane]

I have a few different makes. I can't tell any difference on from the other sonically

.

 

[mkane]

Darn and just read the title, new production. These are old and inexpensive.

 

[thorpej]

As far as vintage samples go, I'm partial to RCA, but the GE 6SN7GTB is also quite nice (and seems to be available on That Auction Site relatively cheaply). My only beef with the GE is that they don't look as nice.

As far as new samples go, I've been leaning towards the Tung-Sol re-issues, but am curious if anyone has had a good experience with the EH 6SN7s (I've used their 12AX7 and 12AU7 with no complaints, but never any of their octal tubes).

I'm asking mainly because one of the things about the 6SN7 that makes them so great is they are a very low-noise tube. My main concern is finding a readily-available supply that performs similarly to the historical units in this regard.

 

[mkane]

The reviews on the EH are not good

 

[onemug]

I like the new production Tung-Sol. fwiw, Far less expensive than the nos Sylvania's, which are my faves.

 

[leftside]

For new production I like the Shuguang Treasure CV181's.

 

[sKiZo]

Get one soon - prices are skyrocketing!

Certainly not an expert on all things 6SN7, but I like what I'm hearing from an RCA coin base that I picked up as an experiment. My amp has 9 pin novels, and requires an adapter to replace the center 12AU7 family tube ...

And yes, I'll qualify that with a "not new production" tag, but they do tend to be quite inexpensive and something to consider. I expect I'll have to pick up on one of the new production TungSol, if only because I'm a big fan of their power tubes. Those KT120s ROCK!

With the adapter, a 6SN7 is now just a plug 'n play, once I figured out how to put it in without anything exploding ... Just pop it out and I'm back to the original 9 pin setup.

 

[IPADave]

I've used Tung-Sol and EH in my Rogue Metis preamp and they are both fine. It came with Shuguang's and they sound fine as well. I'm currently using a Shuguang Treasure CV181 as the preamp tube and it sounds very good but it's a bit spendy.

-Dave

 

[Lavane]

I bought two matched pairs of Sovtek 6j5's (1/2 of a 6sn7) and am happy with them. $22 ea. Matched.

 

[sKiZo]

Those just plug 'n play replacements for the 6SN7?

 

[Lavane]

Those just plug 'n play replacements for the 6SN7?

No.

 

[sKiZo]

Didn't think so ... but just checking. <G>

 

[Lavane]

Ya, that was my first thought when building my 300B. To be able to sub a 6j5 for a 6sn7 but,........

 

[mkane]

Those ST are spendy, $200. I just forked over $80 for a pair of the 'raved' about sylvania Bad Boys. Hope they live up to the hype.

 

[kward]

If sound quality is your only concern in a new producton 6SN7 then the Shuguang CV-181T is the clear winner in my book, but they are pricey. On the other hand, if you are looking for the best sound for the money in new production, I think that falls to the Tung Sol.

 

[mkane]

It's all about sound quality isn't it. If it wasn't I wouldn't have tubes and amps in every room.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

Those ST are spendy, $200. I just forked over $80 for a pair of the 'raved' about sylvania Bad Boys. Hope they live up to the hype.

What is your take on them?

As to the oddly-labeled Shuguang CV-181T, I have read several very positive reviews. Doesn't fit in all amps and can run over $100 each.