Because there is few. They was produced at peak area of quality built/control and were selected version of EV type.
I think they were reserved for army/nuclear plant use.
They are very probably the best tube on the 6h30 family ( as are 1578 ( with holes in the plate) in the 6n8s/6sn7 family).
I've heard them versus Sovtek's and EH's version and in the circuit they were 'better', and lasted way longer than newer equivalent ( used in a friend's preamp).
Does it make price asked justified? I doubt it.
But it could be nice to have something closer to this one on current offer.
I think they were reserved for army/nuclear plant use.
They are very probably the best tube on the 6h30 family ( as are 1578 ( with holes in the plate) in the 6n8s/6sn7 family).
I've heard them versus Sovtek's and EH's version and in the circuit they were 'better', and lasted way longer than newer equivalent ( used in a friend's preamp).
Does it make price asked justified? I doubt it.
But it could be nice to have something closer to this one on current offer.
I understand the rarity argument, and EVs are more rugged. But $450?
From the sound point of view, are they so much better than a regular 6N6P?
From the sound point of view, are they so much better than a regular 6N6P?
Those are different tubes. There is similarity yes but the 6h30 is more powerful, have lower rp, use more heater current,...
I used both with cathode follower circuit in line driver duties- pro level +4dbu with max 24dbu out- ( with ccs in place of cathode R), technically the 6h30 achieve lower outZ and have more drive capability, soundwise they are close ( but this kind of cf usually sound more alike than different in my test).
In grounded cathode circuit for similar goal the 6n6p have a tad more distortion and sound a bit more euphonic to me. 6h30p ev sound 'cleaner' to me.
I can't tell more than that and maybe it is the circuit i used which wasn't as optimised for 6n6p?
In the end i think it depend of what you want to do.
I used both with cathode follower circuit in line driver duties- pro level +4dbu with max 24dbu out- ( with ccs in place of cathode R), technically the 6h30 achieve lower outZ and have more drive capability, soundwise they are close ( but this kind of cf usually sound more alike than different in my test).
In grounded cathode circuit for similar goal the 6n6p have a tad more distortion and sound a bit more euphonic to me. 6h30p ev sound 'cleaner' to me.
I can't tell more than that and maybe it is the circuit i used which wasn't as optimised for 6n6p?
In the end i think it depend of what you want to do.
I suggest you make your own pov: Sovtek or EH 6h30p are relatively affordable ( if you can find some, they seems to be on low supply atm) and will give insight in your circuit versus 6n6p.
The difference between EH/Sovtek and DR ( for what i've seen: 2 pairs of DR) is in tightness of pairing/balancing, and their lifespan. For other parameters like built or difference in material i can't say as i'm not an expert in this at all.
Same remark about 1578.
For the sound, well, there is differences, fine level but present.
The question is are you ok to spend this much in some tubes? My friend is dentist, he doesn't care...
What do you plan for their use?
The difference between EH/Sovtek and DR ( for what i've seen: 2 pairs of DR) is in tightness of pairing/balancing, and their lifespan. For other parameters like built or difference in material i can't say as i'm not an expert in this at all.
Same remark about 1578.
For the sound, well, there is differences, fine level but present.
The question is are you ok to spend this much in some tubes? My friend is dentist, he doesn't care...
What do you plan for their use?
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I'm definitely not planning to use them, just was checking a couple of things on e-bay and noticed those prices, got interested about the reason for the prices.
I'm not a dentist , and in addition to that I've been living in Scotland for the last 21 years, developed a strong allergy to high prices 🙂
I'm not a dentist either and even if i was i don't think i would spend this much on anything he does...
I bought some 1578 10 years ago. Still have them and still use them. I like their sound and tightness of parameters still hold. They were like 200euros a pair iirc ( probably a bit less). Overall i don't regret my purchase but i would not do the same again as when they'll die it'll be over to find another pair affordable.
That said they could well last longer than me as they are sparsely used ( in a microphone preamp with a strong 'sound of it's own' - from transformers)...
I bought some 1578 10 years ago. Still have them and still use them. I like their sound and tightness of parameters still hold. They were like 200euros a pair iirc ( probably a bit less). Overall i don't regret my purchase but i would not do the same again as when they'll die it'll be over to find another pair affordable.
That said they could well last longer than me as they are sparsely used ( in a microphone preamp with a strong 'sound of it's own' - from transformers)...
Because some can afford them instead of using around 20 times cheaper replacements that do the same job?
It always been high in the last ten years and never cease to goes up for what i observed.
Glowsignal if you know of a reference similar to spec of 6h30p i would happily use it, could you be more accurate on the ref you have in mind please?
Glowsignal if you know of a reference similar to spec of 6h30p i would happily use it, could you be more accurate on the ref you have in mind please?
Some sellers deliberately list very high prices in the hope that one day someone who has to have that precise tube quickly will pay out. Especially in Italy, which seems the worst place. Audio fanatics spend thousands and thousands on gear. Beyond a certain wealth point they just don't care. Plus they read reviews which say X is the best and they just have to have it because it's "the best". They buy things like "the best 12AU7 ever made" (???? uh???) without realising what a farce it all is.
Who knows if they will actually get stock, but these guys sell them way cheaper.
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/tube...6h30-6n30-6n30p-high-quality-tube-p-6173.html
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/tube...6h30-6n30-6n30p-high-quality-tube-p-6173.html
Have been running 6H30P for nearly 20 years in preamps. Initially began with 5687 and later experimented with Sovtek 6H30, the DR version and of course 6N6P. The 6N6P simply don't belong to the rest of this company soundwise. The 5687 are very nice and in some ways preferable to the Sovtek 6N30P. The DR were a disappointment. At the 15mA/110v where i run them, the Sovtek 6N30P seem to last forever.
You say the 6N6P does not belong there. Is something measurable? Distortion, reliability?
Certainly not. Purely subjective. No idea about reliability as i couldn't stand listening to them past the break in.