6SN7 / Vt 231 / CV 181 Valve recomendations

[Lee Henley]

I fancy a bit of tube rolling in my mono blocks, currently they are NOS Jan Phillips 6SN7WGTA which I believe are from the late 70's ere when they took over Sylvania, would be interested to see what people are using in their set up. Ive been looking at so far

Ken Rad - VT 231
Sylvania - VT 231
PS Vane - CV 181 Treasures

Any help much appreciated

Lee

[AlexM]

Hi there,

It depends what they are doing in your power amp - are they phase splitters or drivers? If they are drivers I would say don't bother with expensive NOS as they won't really have a big effect. If they are phase splitters then yes, get some nice NOS valves but make sure that the sections are closely balanced.

Any way, I have used the Ken Rad VT231 and mine were sadly too microphonic to use in my preamp. I have also used Sylvania VT231 and they were nice, well, at least until the heater on one went open circuit. I had generally bad luck with my eBay 6SN7 purchases. I would say that it would be better to get some selected new production valve for this than some condition unknown eBay purchase. I quite liked selected gold pin Electro Harmonix 6SN7s in my power amp. Very good bass, an open midrange and treble but with just a hint of sizzle. It can be a very good match if your system balance is a touch waem.

All IMO...

Regards,
Alex

[Lee Henley]

Hi Alex

Many thanks for taking the time out to reply, Im not sure what the valves do, Ive had a look in the manual and all it says is "input stage valves". I will have a look at the EH valves quite a few people on the net have said these are very good for the money

Very best

Lee



Hi there,

It depends what they are doing in your power amp - are they phase splitters or drivers? If they are drivers I would say don't bother with expensive NOS as they won't really have a big effect. If they are phase splitters then yes, get some nice NOS valves but make sure that the sections are closely balanced.

Any way, I have used the Ken Rad VT231 and mine were sadly too microphonic to use in my preamp. I have also used Sylvania VT231 and they were nice, well, at least until the heater on one went open circuit. I had generally bad luck with my eBay 6SN7 purchases. I would say that it would be better to get some selected new production valve for this than some condition unknown eBay purchase. I quite liked selected gold pin Electro Harmonix 6SN7s in my power amp. Very good bass, an open midrange and treble but with just a hint of sizzle. It can be a very good match if your system balance is a touch waem.

All IMO...

Regards,
Alex

[Firebottle]

Lee your AN is a single ended isn't it?
So there won't be a phase splitter, just input stage / driver stage.

:)

PS How was the passive?

[AlexM]

Lee,

I have a pair sitting in a box upstairs - I can't use 6SN7s any more in my kit. You'd be welcome to them for cost postage and a virtual pint ;)

Regards,
Alex

[Lee Henley]

Hi Alan

Yes mate they are Single Ended

The passive sounds great mate, it really does, the resistor has given me a tad more volume control, nice one mate!

BTW I will drop you a line as a I want to add a remote volume control to it as discussed

Very best

Lee


Lee your AN is a single ended isn't it?
So there won't be a phase splitter, just input stage / driver stage.

:)

PS How was the passive?

[Lee Henley]

Hi Alex

That's very kind of you, I will drop you a PM mate

Many thanks

Lee


Lee,

I have a pair sitting in a box upstairs - I can't use 6SN7s any more in my kit. You'd be welcome to them for cost postage and a virtual pint ;)

Regards,
Alex