Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes
After receiving two more pairs of 6n8s metal base tube made in 1952 today, now I have 5 pairs of 6n8s metal base tubes in addition to 3 pairs of 1578 tubes made in 1980 and 83. 6n8s metal base sounds more female like with nuanced details while 1578 sounds more robust with deeper bass. I will take turns at tubes depending on my mood. |
Another bad Melz 1578. I ordered 3 pairs and like the first set, one tube is crackling after 50 hours of burnin. It's also microphonic; in between crackles I can hear the tube echo thru the speakers when I tap on my amp. These are all from 1980 and the same dealer (who does accept returns), but I'm done gambling with this batch of tubes. Damn, they sound so good. I received my 6N8S 1950 pair from Ukraine, but will wait to try them until I've run-in my 1578's. |
I heard that all old Russian tubes are prone to noise and the only way out is to do re soldering. I recommend you to contact person with ID of " Paladin79 "in Headfi to learn how to do it. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-reference-6sn7-thread.117677/page-141#post-15715112 |
I was pretty good at soldering, but over the years my vision has deteriorated. Plus this is not a task I would want to do. I think soldering would only make sense if doing pairs of tubes. I went back a few pages on the Head-Fi link and he was soldering all his Melz tubes. It would be great if somebody in our hobby who loves tubes was offering this service. I must say that my system sounds the best ever. I have a pair of 1578's in the front of my Atma-sphere gain stage, Sylvania oblique plate GTA's in the 2nd gain position, and Sylvania GTB's as the drivers. Music is transparent and realistic with high and low extension. And best of all is the 3D image which extends back into the wall and out in front of the speakers. I think this is possible due to having 2 different pairs of 6SN7's in the gain stage. |
