Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes

@dlcockrum thought I would give an update on the Linlai E-6sn7 after 120+ hours.  The strong bass has declined to be very average, the highs are bright and don’t sound real, and the midrange has declined and sounds muffled.  It does sound better at higher volumes but still to solid state like for me.  I would not recommend it now and have started a return.  Maybe on other systems it sounds good but not here. Melz, Sylvania’s, 6FG8’s, are much preferred.

@shkong78 Thank you for sharing your tube obsession with us it is very helpful and enlightening. I am just starting to get into tube rolling with my new Supratek Cabernet preamp and these tubes are just like red wine. The more you try the more you want to try more. Is there a best? Absolutely not. It’s so system and personal taste dependent but your list is such a helpful starting point. So far I have tried RCA ‘40s Gray Glass $70, RCA GTA $28, Radiotron ‘40s Aussie ( came with amp 1 died day 2), Raytheon side getter $26, Raytheon VT231 $100 (1 noisy had to be returned searching for replacement), Sylvania Brown WGT $120, just ordered Ken Rad VT231 black $150, GE GTB $15, Sylvania VT231 $120 & GTB Chrome dome short $35, Meltz ‘53/‘56 $100, Russian Foton ‘60’s. $25. Prices listed are for pairs with no plans going for the crazy priced ones. All used and testing 90-100%+ confirmed on my Hickok 605A. My Top 3 so far are Sylvania WGT, RCA gray, Ray vt231. All sound great and very close just slight differences.
I do have a few questions for you if you don’t mind.
1- Which russian black base tube did you get? Reflector, Foton, other? Shape on glass identifies them diamond is foton, shield like shape is reflector and others.
2-Sylvania styles are very confusing so many of them. Which specific ones did you try? Tube size, plate type, getter type/location, years…?
3- Which Ray vt231 is better? T plate or ladder plates? Mine were T’s.

Thanks for sharing your expertise!

@shkong78 Thanks for your response and recommendation.  Can you give me your opinion on how the 6f8g compares to the 6sn7?  Is it worth the plunge?  Selection is pretty limited driving prices.  
Tom

@dlcockrum Great info many thanks!

Another can of worms?  Anyone try mixing different styles of 6Sn7’s with success. I had a Raytheon vt231 T-plate that lost it’s partner due to bad noise.  On a whim I had just received one of my Ken Rad vt231 black glass and wanted ti try it out to make sure it was good and noise free.  Both tubes tested over 100% closely  matched.   Fired them up and  not expecting much but was  shocked how good it sounded.  Best pair I have rolled so far.  Looking forward to the second KR.  

@dlcockrum @shkong78 ordered a pair of Nos/Nib National Union 6F8G round plates and adapters.  They are branded Raytheon with identical construction as NU. I am using a Mullard GZ34 and Rca 6l6 bottom getter blackplates in my Supratek pre. Should be fun🤞

@dlcockrum thanks…that Phillips 5R4GYS is next to impossible to find and big💰.

Not sure my modest system is worth it and would benefit much from it.  I will keep it in mind though.  Have you tried other 6F8G’s? Other good ones in case I want to have other choices? 

@dlcockrum my 6f8g adapters arrived and I was able to listen to my NU 6f8g branded Raytheon round plates. All I can say is they really are special in my Supratek pre. They are just better in almost every way. Definitely the best tube I have heard. Also, I was able to listen to my RCA USNavy gray glass ST bottle 6f8g and they are really nice tubes as well. Second best tube. The Rca loses some detail/transparency but has such nice warm tone. A more relaxed tube you can listen to and not tire. Also, it is less focused with a larger soundstage.

So far here is my list of tubes in order of preference.

NU branded Raytheon round plate 6f8g

RCA USNavy gray glass ST bottle 6f8g

Ken-Rad black glass vt-231

Sylvania vt-231

Raytheon vt-231 (both Nos tubes became noisy and had to return=done with them)

Rca gray glass 6sn7 (early ‘40’s same as vt-231)

Sylvania 6sn7wgt brown base

Sylvania 6sn7gta tall boy chrome dome

Sylvania 6sngtb medium bottle chrome dome

Raytheon 6sn7gtb side getter

Rca 6sn7gta

GE 6sn7gtb

On order to try: Russian 1956/1953 Metz 6n8s, Russian Foton 1962 6n8s, Ken-Rad 6f8g staggered plate

@dlcockrum thanks for the detailed Melz summary of your experience.  I got lucky andc ordered 2 used Melz with test results in 90%’s.  1-1956 and 1-1953 due to arrive on Tues from Ukraine.  They are the non hole version and the picture shows black shiny plates.  We will see what arrives🤞.  My concern is noise and test results.  I have a tube  tester so we will find out.  Should be fun.  I have really been enjoying tube hunting and rolling🤪

@1markr thanks for your input.  I remember these being recommended a year ago or so.  Are these the ones you have?  Thanks

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284943359892?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=heHyMkH-Re6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=2lFcSwP8SgS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

@shkong78 I really appreciate your thread.  It has been so helpful in identifying tubes I may not have known about like the 6fg8’s.  Can you share which  6fg8’s you like.  I have 2- the NU round plates and Rca early 40’s gray glass us navy tubes.  Both are excellent with different flavors.  Thanks

@markusthenaimnut obsession what obsession 😳. Don’t miss out on 7n7 with an adapter 🤪

@shkong78 got it and respect your decision to have us discover 6f8g’s on our own. Cheers! 

@dlcockrum ‘56/53 Melz arrived today.  Both tested closely matched and 100%+.  They sounded wonderful in all areas but  the bass, mid-bass and details were the best I have experienced.  The only area it may not be the best is the soundstage seemed focused and didn’t fill the room as other tubes do. The only problem is my fear of noise appeared.  The ‘56 tubes sputters quite frequently.  We’ll see if it works itself out but it will probably be taking a return trip back home.  Fyi- I cancelled the Ken-Rad 6f8g’s and ordered a pair of Linlai 6sn7-e’s instead.

Also, received a quad of Russian Foton factory ‘65 6sn8 black base.  At $30 including shipping best deal to be had.  They are new and test NOS. They sound just as good as any of the Sylvania 6sn7 line except for the vt-231/bad boy’s are more refined.  Russian tubes from Melz, Foton Voskhod and Refector from the ‘50-mid 70’s seem to be very nice tubes.  I have several ‘50-60’s Russian 63ps/6l6’s that are as good as any tubes.  Time to turn off the ebay/paypal line of credit🤣

@charliee ken-rad 7193 sounds interesting but I need less choices not more🤪.  For $165 for a pair I am willing to give Linlai-E’s a go.  I have not heard that these Linlai-E’s have had short life issues?  Several well respected Amp makers now use them with glowing recommendations.  Anyone experience issues with Linlai E’s?

@dlcockrum ok update on Melz noise issue. Seller told me 30-40% of these older Melz tubes have noise issues due to old tin solder in the pins. He told me to heat each pin with a solder iron and get them hot enough to repair internal joints. He said it rarely doesn’t solve the issue. I got my solder iron out and the noise is gone now👍! Time will tell if the noise stays away🤞. These tubes paired with my DAC 1974 Reflector 6N23P Single Wire Silver Shields is beyond what I thought my modest system had in it. They just sound better in every way with zero fatigue. I am truly surprised the impact tubes can make.It is going to be hard to switch them out but each tube has its pro’s and cons.

@dlcockrum my light bulb E-6SN7 LinLai pair arrived and have 80+ hours on them now.  When I first played them they sounded quite bright with a booming bass and recessed dull midrange.  I was ready to send them back but read they needed 50-100 hours break-in for them to come to life.  On my system and my ears the LinLai  tubes have improved noticeably with break-in hours.    My assessment pretty much matches some of the other thread postings out there.  The Good:  excellent clarity, quiet, nice instrument separation, wide soundstage, fantastic tight clear deep bass. The not so great: treble on the bright side, soundstage is wide but flat lacking 3D depth, midrange just lacking a bit - just missing that full resonating sound.  Overall this is a very nice new construction tube.  I feel the LinLai’s had a Solid State kind of sound or digital vs analog analogy when compared to NOS.  I would highly recommend them for amp builders and anyone who doesn’t want to get into the NOS tube intricacies.  I could be very happy with this tube but I still prefer my NOS ‘50’s Melz, Sylvania GTA chrome domes, 6fg8’s.  I do like them better than Sylvania vt-231 and Ken-Rad black glass vt-231’s which I feel are a step down from the others listed.    Granted this is just my opinion, on my system with my ears and preference for the warmer tube so take it as such.  I will continue to give them more playing time.  They are definitely keepers and I will enjoy them for a different flavor choice.  

@dlcockrum I would not say the Linlai E-6sn7 has “Weaknesses” they are just subtle differences that I felt a few Nos tubes provided that I preferred.  The Linlai’s are really an excellent new production tube. No Tung Sol’s RP’s for me just too pricey for their performance review.  Looks like I am done adding 6Sn7’s.  I feel I have hit most of the key good 6SN7’s and have a good selection.  Selling off ones that just aren’t special to reduce collection.  It was a fun experimenting on my own system.