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Tung-Sol Reissue 6SN7 vs EH 6SN7 - Differences

I ordered a matched pair of the new Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB tubes being made in Russia for my Supratek Chenin preamp and have been listening to them versus the stock 6SN7EH tubes. The Tung-Sols sound a bit fuller in tone than the EH, while retaining the bass and treble extension of the EH - in short, I prefer the Tung-Sols.
Before listening, I examined the two tubes very closely side-by-side, and could not see any differences in construction other than the fact that the Tung-Sol has a black plate and the EH has a gray plate. I was expecting them to sound identical, but I noticed the fuller tone of the Tung-Sol right away. I decided to contact New Sensor and ask them what the difference between these tubes really was.
They answered my email within an hour or so, as follows:

"The Tung-Sol 6SN7 has internal differences. The internal geometry is different and the grids are gold plated."

If we take them at their word, the Tung-Sols are not merely re-badged EHs as has been suggested by some. Thoughts? Anyone else have the same listening impressions as me?
ait

Showing 2 responses by jfrech

jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Hi seems like some of this is system dependent.

In my BAT VK75SE (now 150SE) I had RCA 6sn7's. softer on top, little more real, but lost the dynamics and punch and texture of the russian 6h8c's. I ran the RCA's for a year before I went back to the 6h8c's.

Doug: what are you running in your 75SE right now? I'm due soon for a retube, and can't decide on the 6h8c's or the EH's or Tung sols...

Thanks
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
sorry Dave on your name !

I guess I'll order (gulp) 12 of the EH 6sn7's and I will try the Tung Sol 6v6's. I think my 6h30's a good a little longer, using a 2 yr old set of dr's from when I retubed my 51se last. I wish I would have bought a pile of the DR's then. But I agree with you, at these prices, maybe I can live with the pi/eb's.

I have been reading your posts on the 75se mods. I do feel squeemish buying this expensive interconnect/power cords then open the covers on some gear. Also, I have that same "cable" connecting both halfs of my amps internally as part of the bridging circuit. Using what looks like automotive type plastic connectors via another 6 inches or so of wire.

How hard is the rewire job? BTW, What part of the world do you live in?
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