Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE84UFO >> 6SN7 in input position
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1553486654

Message started by funch on 03/25/19 at 05:04:14

Title: 6SN7 in input position
Post by funch on 03/25/19 at 05:04:14

I recently tried a 6SN7 variant (Shuguang CV 181-Z) in place of the 6N1P with an adapter and was quite impressed. I only used it for a few minutes though, and am wondering if it is OK long term.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by armstdav on 03/25/19 at 05:19:56

I have a Torii MkIV and I've been running 6SN7s with the adapters in the 6922 position for about a month now with no ill effect. I love the sound from some of my NOS 6SN7s. Definitely better than any of the 6922 variants I've tried.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by funch on 03/26/19 at 03:16:59

I just read armstdav's post in the General Discussion section, so my question is answered. The scary part is, I had already read it in the past, but forgot I had. The joys of getting old.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by jcmusic on 02/07/21 at 13:00:39

So is it ok to use the 6SN7 tube as the input in the ufo amp?

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Geno on 02/07/21 at 17:00:57

Yes it is. I have one in now. I think it is an improvement. Give it a go and see what you think. Experiment with different brands. The RCA GT (smoked glass) is what I have in. Actually mine is a 12SN7GT that I’m told is 12 volts instead of 6. Works and sounds really good.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by jcmusic on 03/17/21 at 13:26:28

So I am thinking about trying a 6SN7 tube in the input position, does anyone have a spare tube adapter or know where I can get one other than China?

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 03/17/21 at 13:42:52

Tube Depot (which is a dependable and fast shipping US merchant) has one:

https://store.tubedepot.com/products/6sn7-to-6922-adapter

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by piezoman on 03/17/21 at 19:26:42

Good post, Lon.

We all need to stop buying Chinese anything when at all possible. Its past time to decouple from the CCP.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by piezoman on 03/17/21 at 19:30:37

Quote:

I have a Torii MkIV and I've been running 6SN7s with the adapters in the 6922 position for about a month now with no ill effect. I love the sound from some of my NOS 6SN7s. Definitely better than any of the 6922 variants I've tried.

That's also my experience with my Taboo MK IV. I disliked the 6922 so much, and I had several expensive NOS brands, vs. the RCA 6SN7, that I sold them all. In my system/room/ears, there was no contest. The 6922 provides a bit more gain, nonetheless it was too bright and edgy compared to the more silky smooth and better textured 6SN7.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by jcmusic on 03/17/21 at 23:49:18

Lon,
Thanks for the link adapter ordered...

Jay

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 03/18/21 at 00:15:29

You're welcome Jay.

Geno, you wrote:
The RCA GT (smoked glass) is what I have in. Actually mine is a 12SN7GT that I’m told is 12 volts instead of 6. Works and sounds really good.

Did you find a 12SN7 to 6922 adapter, or are you using a 6SN7 to 6922 adapter with the 12SN7GT tube? I have one of the tubes but haven't found an adapter to convert to 6922.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by CAJames on 03/18/21 at 03:11:07

You can use the 6SN7 adapter. The 12SN7 is the same tube, just with a 12 volt heater.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 03/18/21 at 10:58:53

Thank you. I was misremembering the tube in question. It's a 6SL7 which is more problematic.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by CAJames on 03/20/21 at 16:22:02

FWIW the 6SL7 has the same pinout as the 6SN7 so you can use the same adapter if anyone is curious. I just recommend starting with the volume all the way down

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 03/20/21 at 20:55:02

Thank you! I am trying it out, seems to work perfectly and is sounding nice--an old gray glass RCA.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by CAJames on 03/20/21 at 22:24:40

That's very interesting. While not exactly cheap you can get "heritage" 6SL7s for a lot less than the corresponding 6SN7s, although I think 12SN7s are probably the way to go if you're looking for a budget alternative.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 03/20/21 at 22:34:18

Not necessarily looking for a budget alternative, got this one in error (the seller's, not mine) and kept it so am glad to use it. I have ordered a 12SN7 to try as well. I just like to explore the options and see how they sound. I've settled on RCA gray glass 6SN7 in all spots of the CSP3, CSP2+, Monoblocks and Taboo Mk IV so far as being the best, but this 6SL7 in the input of the CSP3 with mods is sounding good. (All tubes in the ZTPRE are Amperex 6085 with converter bases, and an Amperex 6085 is in the ZROCK2). Won't get much time to listen this weekend but did listen for an hour.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 03/21/21 at 02:21:10

After let it warm up for a few hours and putting on a more neutrally recorded cd I think this 6SL7 isn't quite linear enough for every day use--though the top end is nice, the lower end is a bit indistinct and a tad too slow. Nice experiment though and I may put it in for more hours of burnin in the future.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by piezoman on 03/22/21 at 02:27:27

I totally agree Lon, on the RCA 6SN7 gray glass in all 3 positions of the CSP3, and the input position on the Taboo MK IV. Rich AND delightful tapestry of detail. To my ears, these have staying in since last summer. With an Eveready-Raytheon ER 280 rectifier in the CSP3 and a 1958 Mullard GZ34 fat base in the Taboo, sitting back in the dark being intimately immersed is a transporting experience.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by jcmusic on 03/26/21 at 11:34:33

I just received an update that my adapter has shipped, so it won't be too long now before I try a 6SN7 in the UFO. It will have to knock me over though to earn a place in the amp, as it sounds really good with the stock tubes other than the addition of the 80 globe rectifier!!!

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by jcmusic on 08/07/22 at 17:23:20

So I tried a few different 6SN7 tubes in place of the stock input tube and didn't notice any real improvement. I did hear a difference but I don't think it was better.
Was thinking about trying an Amperex 7308 JAN tube, I had a pair of these years ago and they were the best sounding 6922 variant I ever heard.
Has anyone here tried these???

Jay

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 08/07/22 at 18:32:23

Oh yes, I have tried Amperex 7308, have about five pairs of them on hand. I have used them in Torii amps, a modded C amp I had, Taboo Mk III and Mk IV, in CSP2+ and CSP3 preamps, and in the SE84UFO3 Monoblocks I use in my main system. I really like them. The best pairs I have heard come from Holland, though I do like those I have on hand made in USA as well. The Holland tubes have a bit of a darker, warmer sound, just a bit, that works well in several of the tube complements I seem to rotate through.

I have a pair of Mullard RTC branded 7308 on the way to me from Germany that an audio friend has been telling me for a while I will find to be the best tube ever. . . we'll see, I do have high hopes!

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by CAJames on 08/08/22 at 02:49:42

Amperex 7308s were (by far) the best tube I used in previous (non Decware) gear but when I tried them in my UFOs they were nothing special and I moved on fairly quickly. But that was a long time ago and it might be worth giving them another listen.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Dana on 09/01/22 at 23:53:37

I'm currently running a 7308 in my SE84UFO. I'm using a Mod 80 coke bottle rectifier. I think it sounded better with the Mod 80 than the Amperex 6922 D Getter but it was a little to hot for the 5Z3 at the time. I've been running it this way for a couple of months so it may be time to switch things up and reevaluate. :)

I'm directly connected to the PSAudio DirectStream DAC and I get depth of field, natural sounding vocals and a good amount of bass. I wouldn't say the bass is muddy maybe just not as resolving as I'd like.

Just this week I made a significant step forward in the sound by blocking the USB power out of the server and then using a powered hub inserting the 5V signal back in. (Thanks Ted Smith!) I also figured out how to use the RamDrive addon in Foobar2000 so it's sounding better than it ever has.

As always YMMV... but then again it may not.

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by DJFreon on 02/26/23 at 17:08:40

I bought a Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB New Prod. Preamp Vacuum Tube from Tube Depot with adapter. This tube really makes the Zen triode come alive. Adds a fullness that I like feeding Lii crystal 10's. Recommended!

Title: Re: 6SN7 in input position
Post by Lon on 02/26/23 at 17:15:20

I have two Cryotone 6SN7 with excellent adaptors I put up for sale if anyone is interested in trying the Wathen version.