6SN7 Tubes

[revoli]

Advice please. I am looking to build Salas phono itch. 6sn7 tubes and 6n2pev tubes. For the 6sn7 tubes there is a blistering choice available starting at $3
http://www.siberian-shop.com/index.p...1&keyword=6sn7

to $230
http://thetubestore.com/sh-cv181-z.html

Now I want a good sound but how on earth do you decide which is going to be the most sensible way to spend your money. Are these all going to have broadly similar tech specs or will I need to modify circuit according to which I buy? Anyone know a good uk source?

Love this hobby - black art at it's best.

[labjr]

I have some old Golden Dragon 6SN7s that I like a lot. I think were made by Shuguang. The look like these ones.

Shuguang 6SN7GT

[PassFan]

It's all a matter of taste. Most of the older GE's and Sylvanias I've tried in my guitar amps were noisy and microphonic. The best I've had was an old stock Motorola. You can always start with the 3.00 tubes and work your way up from there. They each sound different and "tube tasting" is a favorite pastime for tube enthusiasts.

[labjr]

In my opinion, hifi is very different than a guitar amp. With a guitar amp tube choice is more of a personal preference because everyone is looking for a different sound or coloration. With Hifi pretty much the majority will concur on which tubes and parts sound the least colored and reproduce the original sound most naturally when used in a given circuit.

[Miles Prower]

I would go with the Siberian $3.00 6SN7s. These have the grid radiator wings, so it makes them 6SN7GTBs, actually. These were "hardened" 6SN7s designed for TV vertical deflection duty, with the enhanced Pd= 5.0W, and which can operate at Vgk > 0V (hence the radiator wings). I've also used Sovtek 6SN7GTBs as well. These proved to not be microphonic.

I wouldn't spend three figures for any small signal type, pure audiophoolery that.

With NOS 6SN7s, microphonics seems to be a common problem with the type.

[Salas]

This one's the best I have ever experienced RARE! 6CC10 6SN7 1578 = 6N8S tube metall base, aperture, MELZ [6N8S-metall-aperture-NIB] - $75.00 : Siberian-shop, Electronic tubes, ICs, capacitors and sockets

Still expensive no bargain, but it steps on any NOS at any price for resolution, tone, or ruggedness IMHO.

P.S. I would start on something sane but adequate, like those $3 ones to see if I like the CCT's results first of all and then think of investing on final enhancements non the less.

[revoli]

Thanks all that was useful. I shall order the cheapies (at $3 you cannot really go wrong) and a set of the more expensive recommended by Salas. That will give me something to play with and compare!

[kstagger]

another NOS option would be the 12SN7 - though prices have rose on those too, but not to the extent of the 6SN7. I personally hate overindulging in tube rolling since that way leads to financial ruin and madness

[Magz]

Of course, you could always go with (2) 6J5GT or it's WWII radar evolution, the 7193 (2C22). These are single triodes that are essentially 1/2 of a 6SN7. I use the 7193's in place of 6SN7s in my preamp and the sound is far better to my ears than any 6SN7 I have tried (and I've tried a LOT of them). They are also very cheap - the 7193's I bought were ~$5-7 for NOS 1943 Ken-Rad, National Union and RCA types.

Just another option.

[radiostar]

I prefer Eeuropean made 6SN7 tubes, like Philips Miniwatt 6SN7GT or some ECC33 by Mullard or B65 / CV1988 by Osram, also 12SN7 is good alternative, for much lower prices you can get the same tubes, just different heating voltage.