6SN7GT VT231 TUBES

+1 for Raytheon VT-231’s! The Ken-Rad VT-231’s have the most solid bass of all the 6SN7’s I’ve heard in my Cary SLP05, Schiit Freya+, and Schiit Saga. The 5692 versions are smooth sounding. My favorite combos now are a quad of Raytheons in the Cary’s gain stage with by a set of CBS Hytron 5692’s in the XLR input buffer. With the Freya, black glass Ken Rads in the gain stage followed by the 5692’s in the buffer is my favorite combo, and I use a Sylvania 6SN7 GT JAN (“Bad Boy”) from the early 1950’s in the buffer. 
 

I have a quad of NIB red base GE 5692’s (RCA made) that I can’t wait to try as well, with several other JAN versions of RCA, Sylvania, etc.

For the money, the best I have heard are 1960’s NOS Sylvania 6SN7 GTB’s bought for about $35 apiece from Brent Jessee that have an exuberant, sparkly top. They sound significantly better than any of the new production tubes that I have experienced.

 I can’t recommend Brent Jessee enough, and will add that I have not yet experienced a bad experience buying NOS or used tubes from a variety of folks on Audiogon or US Audio Mart. I love the tonality of the 6SN7 tube, finding it to sound more natural and less hard than any 12AX7 tubes that I’ve live with for over 45 years (my favorites were Dutch Amperex, less dark than Telefunkens in my SP6B and Marantz 7C, as well as GE 5751’s used in the phono section of the Marantz).

I meant to say that I used the Sylvania Nad Boy in the buffer of my Saga.

Bad not Nad! 

I'm using the Sylvania 6sn7 gtb tubes right now and love them. I actually bought several sets just to have backup. I also have a few sets of the Raytheon and Tung Sol 6sn7gt (not the oval mica). I think they are really close but slightly prefer the Sylvania. The Sylvania 6sn7 GT 3 hole Bad boys are a little bass heavy in my system but have great soundstage and some spooky holographic detail that I do love. I could certainly live with them.  I also tried the Ken Rad VT-231 clear glass but I have not found a set that wasn't microphonic unfortunately.  I'd love to try the oval mica TS VT-231 but those prices have just gotten too steep for me. Running $ 800.00 a pair etc. Wow!

I have heard that the military VT-231 designation is overblown and many of the standard 6sn7 GT or GTB from the same era sound no different. YMMV

Thomas,

I've read through your 6sn7 tube shootout many times. It's a great guide and has helped a lot in my selection. Any particular 6f8g tubes that you prefer?

Thanks,

Mark