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06/30/25 at 23:44:11

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6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~ (Read 237 times)

MikeinMontana Seasoned Member Posts: 314	6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~ 06/15/25 at 16:15:56 Hi all. I have seen a couple of these tubes (chrome dome?) at very reasonable prices and was wondering if they are compatible (using an adapter) in the input position of our zen amp. Voltages a problem at all? Anyone ever use one? How do you like it? Thanks much! Mike
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CAJames Seasoned Member "I've run every red light on memory lane." Posts: 2573	Re: 6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~ Reply #1 - 06/15/25 at 16:39:05 Hey Mike, If you mean 6SN7, then the short answer is yes, they work fine with adapters and a lot of people like them. Longer answer is here: https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1601076484
Back to top	[FOOBAR2000 \| Jay's CDT2 MRK3] -> Denafrips Terminator 2 + Gaia Sumiko Pearwood -> Mapleknoll Athena -> Luxman SUT -> Mapletree Phono 3E STR-1002 -> Woo WA22 -> 2x UFO25s, balanced monos Omega SAM , Hifiman Arya, Audeze LCD-XC IP Logged

MikeinMontana

Seasoned Member

Posts: 314

Re: 6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~
Reply #2 - 06/15/25 at 17:10:53

Thank you James~ I read that the gta has a higher voltages across the plates than the gt versions. I am not privy to that stuff at all. Wasn't sure if that would be a problem on the Zen? I was looking at a Sylvania 6n7gta and it is NOS in the box. A pretty one for sure. Been asking the guy about it and he is well versed on it but not the zen amp while it was in use.. I purchased a tube from this guy almost 2 years ago and he was great to deal with.
I might go ahead and get this one. So inexpensive. I have one spendy Tung-Sol that does sound gorgeous, but want to use it mixed with another to spread it out ( time) some. Spendy, but compared to many not too bad at all. Excellent readings/condition. My rolling numbers are usually very sparing because of stuff just like that..LOL
Thank you James! [smiley=icqlite20.png] Mike ... and thanks for that link too! [smiley=beer.gif]

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CAJames

Seasoned Member

"I've run every
red light on memory
lane."

Posts: 2573

Re: 6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~
Reply #3 - 06/15/25 at 17:35:43

Quote:

...I read that the gta has a higher voltages across the plates than the gt versions. I am not privy to that stuff at all. Wasn't sure if that would be a problem on the Zen...

Now you've done it, you're going to get a lecture on tube naming.

You're right, the 6SN7GTA and GTB are rated for higher voltages than the "plain" 6SN7GT. In general the A, B or C at the end of the tube name means an updated version, usually with higher ratings, but always backwards compatible. So you can safely use a 6SN7GTA or GTB anywhere you can use 6SN7GT, like in a Decware amp. But not the reverse. It is generally not safe to use a 6SN7GT in a circuit that requires a 6SN7GTA or GTB. Same thing for e.g. 6L6GC. You can use the 6L6GC in an amp designed for a 6L6G, but you can't use the 6L6G in an amp that needs a 6L6GC. Hope this helps.

[FOOBAR2000 | Jay's CDT2 MRK3] -> Denafrips Terminator 2 + Gaia
Sumiko Pearwood -> Mapleknoll Athena -> Luxman SUT -> Mapletree Phono 3E
STR-1002 -> Woo WA22 -> 2x UFO25s, balanced monos
Omega SAM , Hifiman Arya, Audeze LCD-XC

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Hearafter

Seasoned Member

“In Tubes We Trust”

Posts: 245

Re: 6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~
Reply #4 - 06/15/25 at 17:49:44

Mike, After trying several types of Sylvania 6Sn7 tubes there are certain ones that sound significantly better than others IMO. My recommendations are: 1) 6Sn7 GT, WGT and GTA short tubes with the black T plates with 3 holes and heavy chrome top down the sides sound much better than the angles V plates 2) the only GTB I recommend is the talll boy with heavy chrome top they sound very good. Here are 2 examples of my favorites.
https://ibb.co/3mj1ck3s

Aric Super 300B SET Amp
Supratek Cabernet Pre
Mojo Mystique EVO B4B 21 DAC
Bricasti M5 Network Streamer
EtherRegan,clock,lps
Sonido SWR096FC Towers
Vanguard Caldera Sub
SDFB-Graphene Slugs
Veritas Cables

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MikeinMontana

Seasoned Member

Posts: 314

Re: 6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~
Reply #5 - 06/15/25 at 19:13:07

James.. as usual~ THANK YOU! Exactly what I wanted to be sure of.
I am going to get that tube I spoke of~
Just awesome James! [smiley=beer.gif] Now I done it!! ;D [smiley=beer.gif]

Hearafter 'GTA short tubes with the black T plates with 3 holes and heavy chrome top down the sides sound much better.' Sounds like the one I am looking at. Thank you for that info on the others too! I really appreciate that! ~ I have wound up rolling more than I really thought of until about a year ago now. I NEED to be careful! ;D $$ Fortunately some are still fairly reasonable when looking around a LOT. All the best~ Mike edit.. it is the angled plates one.. oh well.. going to give it a shot anyway... not much $ at all

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MikeinMontana

Seasoned Member

Posts: 314

Re: 6n7GTA compatibility in the Zen amp. Adapted~
Reply #6 - Today at 20:22:21

Hearafter~ Thank you for the post and links!
Yup, the real NOS v plate Sylvania was not a good listen at all for at least the first hour. It is improving very quickly now, but still not up to a couple of the others we have. More time maybe. Glad I have it anyway. It arrived in it's original box and was obviously never used other than the images he sent of it working in the tester/ with matched numbers. The emission portion of the tests was off by only one number. Box looks surprisingly good, the tube looks NEW. Of the very few 6sn7's I own. The best to my ears are the Black glass Tungsol, oval plate (this one a bit spendy) 6sn7gt, the Sylvania bottom getter 2hole ( not the 3 hole BadBoy but most call the 2 hole the same), The Tungsol 6sn7gt 'mouse ears' and an all grey to the top real NOS RCA 6sn7gt. That one did not sound very good at first, but now it sure does. Sure is an ugly bastrd. lol. Still though, I think the reflelktor 6n23p we have is still my top favorite. So close though. More listening and time... Take care Hearafter [smiley=icqlite20.png] ~ Mike

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