which 6sn7 tube for my wyetech topaz amp

5692

Above is probably as good as it gets, no affiliation with listing party.

Good Listening

Peter

I use an RCA smoked glass and really like it, more on the romantic side but leaves no detail out. I use it in my dehavilland.

For what it's worth, I agree completely with Peter. RCA 5692 is the best I've tried with Sylvania 6SN7 GT a semi close second choice.

RCA is more dense, sightly better dynamics and beautiful “flat" top end. Sylvania will be ever so slightly more extension which may or may not be desirable depending on tonal balance of entire system.

Of all the 6sn7's I have and I have most of them, I always go back to the sylvania 52 bad boys in my preamp. The red base 5692 are also very nice.

In your amps it could be a different tube, but these two are a good place to start.

If you value sound stage depth & width(excellent ambiance recovery), neutral reproduction(no phony warmth/tubey editorializing) and fast/accurate bass; either the 1940's round plate Tung Sol 6SN7GT(JAN CTL) or Sylvania 6SN7W(JAN CHS, TALL BOTTLE ONLY, metal or Bakelite base) tubes are phenomenal. The Sylvania possessing a bit more bass slam. Either choice will cost dearly, but- are worth every penny, IF you value faithful music reproduction. The 1940's, BOTTOM GETTERED, Sylvania(JAN CHS)and Ken-Rad(JAN CKR) 6SN7GT/VT231's are next in the accuracy department, with just a bit less depth of sound stage. Just as beautiful everywhere else. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Awesome-Sylvania-JAN-CHS-6SN7GT-VT-231-T-Black-Plate-Audio-Tubes-/111720481029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1a030f4105) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-Pair-of-SYLVANIA-6SN7W-CV1988-B65-ECC33-Metal-Based-Tube-NOS-NIB-274-/291488621829?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43de136505) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TUNG-SOL-ROUND-PLATE-BLACK-GLASS-JAN-CTL-6SN7GT-VT231-Amplitrex-Tested-1264006-/191608860512?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9cc72f60) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Matched-Ken-Rad-JAN-CKR-6SN7GT-VT-231-Military-Spec-Vacuum-Tubes-ECC82-/371378091687?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5677dbf6a7) for example

BTW- Note the metal strip construction(top supports) of the
Tung Sols. I've not tried the round mouse-eared or
round mica types, so- can't vouch for them. Also- the short
bottled Sylvania 6SN7W was terrible(IMO). Way back when; I
tried the top 12 tubes on this survey:
(http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/6sn7_vt.htm) What I've
stated above, is what I found.

My favorites were the late 1940's, "3-hole" Sylvania "bad boys", the Sylvania 6SN7W's (not the GTA versions), and the Shuguang Treasure CV-181 versions, if they will work in your unit, and you can find a trouble-free pair.

I'm sure the above mentioned 6SN7 tubes are all outstanding but they may not be so for your amp.
Note the 6SN7 tubes that the Wyetech spec sheet lists is GTA which is not the same as the GT tube.
I suggest you contact the Wyetech to be sure the GT will work with your amp

Sylvania Bad boy with one caveat, use two Herbies tube dampers per tube one on the glass and one on the base of the tube.

Bigshutterbug, those Sylvania's you mentioned aren't from the 40's they were only made from 51 to 53.
Those are the ones I recommended in my post above.
Excellent tubes!
Joe

Go to Upscale Audio. They have some Russian 6sn7's from the 1950's. All my friends who have tried these tubes say they transformed their systems
Alan

Vintage Tube Services had wonderful tubes with great advice.