Driver Tubes: Help Me Decide

Monjul · 17th November 2010, 12:32 PM

Hi. I wanted to grab a pair of 6SL7 river tubes for my Cary SLA70A Signature amp. I'm currently using a used/tests strong pair of Sylvania VT 229's from the 40's. These tubes are outstanding but slightly forward although I'm willing to buy another pair they are that good. So my narrowed down choices are as folows:

Tesla ECC35 from the 70's- $120 a matched pair.
Tung Sol 6SU7GTY- $95 a matched pair.
Sylvania VT 229- $65 a matched pair.

If you have any experience with these tubes as a driver in a power amp, please let me know your thought. Thanks.

Monjul · 18th November 2010, 01:06 PM

No one?

SY · 18th November 2010, 01:11 PM

I've used 6SU7 as an input tube, but if the phase splitter is set up properly, the extra balance it gives (versus 6SL7) is wasted. And as a driver, you'd still need to buffer it from the output stage since the plate resistance is fairly high. It's a good tube regarding linearity, but sheesh, those prices are high.

Monjul · 18th November 2010, 01:22 PM

I agree the prices are excessive. You should check out the prices for ECC35's. It's ridiculous.

So since these tubes are for a power amp driver/inverter position, I'm best off saving money and go with the less expensive Sylvania VT 229's?

SY · 18th November 2010, 02:05 PM

Plain old 6SL7 go for about $15.

Palustris · 18th November 2010, 03:42 PM

I just bought 4 RCA cylindrical plate 6SL7s new in the box for $40 on the bay and 4 NIB RCA cylindrical plate 12SL7s for $20. I wouldn't use them (or any other 6SL7) as a driver in a power amp, but for a voltage amp I might find a use for them.

17th November 2010, 12:32 PM	#1
Monjul diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	Driver Tubes: Help Me Decide Hi. I wanted to grab a pair of 6SL7 river tubes for my Cary SLA70A Signature amp. I'm currently using a used/tests strong pair of Sylvania VT 229's from the 40's. These tubes are outstanding but slightly forward although I'm willing to buy another pair they are that good. So my narrowed down choices are as folows: Tesla ECC35 from the 70's- $120 a matched pair. Tung Sol 6SU7GTY- $95 a matched pair. Sylvania VT 229- $65 a matched pair. If you have any experience with these tubes as a driver in a power amp, please let me know your thought. Thanks.

18th November 2010, 01:11 PM	#3
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicagoland Blog Entries: 1	I've used 6SU7 as an input tube, but if the phase splitter is set up properly, the extra balance it gives (versus 6SL7) is wasted. And as a driver, you'd still need to buffer it from the output stage since the plate resistance is fairly high. It's a good tube regarding linearity, but sheesh, those prices are high. __________________ If there's a sucker born every minute, where do the rest of them come from?

18th November 2010, 02:05 PM	#5
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicagoland Blog Entries: 1	Plain old 6SL7 go for about $15. __________________ If there's a sucker born every minute, where do the rest of them come from?

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18th November 2010, 01:06 PM	#2
Monjul diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	No one?

18th November 2010, 01:22 PM	#4
Monjul diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	I agree the prices are excessive. You should check out the prices for ECC35's. It's ridiculous. So since these tubes are for a power amp driver/inverter position, I'm best off saving money and go with the less expensive Sylvania VT 229's?

18th November 2010, 03:42 PM	#6
Palustris diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cape Cod	I just bought 4 RCA cylindrical plate 6SL7s new in the box for $40 on the bay and 4 NIB RCA cylindrical plate 12SL7s for $20. I wouldn't use them (or any other 6SL7) as a driver in a power amp, but for a voltage amp I might find a use for them.

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