Marco
17-11-2010, 12:12
Guys,
A while back I wrote about some tube rolling I was doing, and that I found that the Brimar CV1985 was one of the best 6SL7 types I've heard, and also the amazing RCA/GE 5691 Red base:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/58/56915748.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/56915748.jpg/)
GE branded version:
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8404/6895691ge800.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/i/6895691ge800.jpg/)
I use two of those bad boys in the line stage of my Croft preamp, and they are fantastic, however, I'd like to introduce you to another contender for the best 6SL7 ever made, and that's the equally amazing Tung Sol 6SU7GTY:
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7903/1287598103.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/i/1287598103.jpg/)
I've now fitted three of these NOS broadcast tubes in my preamp (one in the remaining position feeding the line stage and two feeding the phono stage section), and they are every bit as good as the 5691s, perhaps being marginally sweeter in the midrange, but not at all in a lush or 'syrupy' sense.
I've now been experimenting with all sorts of 6SL7s for the last three years, and in my opinion the American military types (particularly the premium versions from RCA and Tung Sol) are sonically head and shoulders above all others, as well as being heavier, significantly less microphonic and undoubtedly built from higher quality materials, as a result of being originally used in the demanding environment of military applications.
You just need to pick one up of either type and examine it to see the superb quality of the construction, particularly a 5691. However, these tubes are rather rare and somewhat expensive, but not crazily so.
They are however said to last almost forever, such is the high standards of construction and utterly strict quality control they were subjected to when being selected for military purposes.
For more info on the 6SU7GTY, check out this link and the video therein (ignore the fact that the guy is using them in his home-made guitar amp!) Trust me these tubes are truly superb in all audio applications:
http://www.tronbuilder.com/Tron-builder-6su7-review.php
So if you have any equipment that uses 6SL7s, and you want to give it a real shot in the arm, fit some RCA 5691 Red Bases or Tung Sol 6SU7GTYs! :cool:
Marco.
A while back I wrote about some tube rolling I was doing, and that I found that the Brimar CV1985 was one of the best 6SL7 types I've heard, and also the amazing RCA/GE 5691 Red base:
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/58/56915748.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/56915748.jpg/)
GE branded version:
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8404/6895691ge800.jpg (http://img293.imageshack.us/i/6895691ge800.jpg/)
I use two of those bad boys in the line stage of my Croft preamp, and they are fantastic, however, I'd like to introduce you to another contender for the best 6SL7 ever made, and that's the equally amazing Tung Sol 6SU7GTY:
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7903/1287598103.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/i/1287598103.jpg/)
I've now fitted three of these NOS broadcast tubes in my preamp (one in the remaining position feeding the line stage and two feeding the phono stage section), and they are every bit as good as the 5691s, perhaps being marginally sweeter in the midrange, but not at all in a lush or 'syrupy' sense.
I've now been experimenting with all sorts of 6SL7s for the last three years, and in my opinion the American military types (particularly the premium versions from RCA and Tung Sol) are sonically head and shoulders above all others, as well as being heavier, significantly less microphonic and undoubtedly built from higher quality materials, as a result of being originally used in the demanding environment of military applications.
You just need to pick one up of either type and examine it to see the superb quality of the construction, particularly a 5691. However, these tubes are rather rare and somewhat expensive, but not crazily so.
They are however said to last almost forever, such is the high standards of construction and utterly strict quality control they were subjected to when being selected for military purposes.
For more info on the 6SU7GTY, check out this link and the video therein (ignore the fact that the guy is using them in his home-made guitar amp!) Trust me these tubes are truly superb in all audio applications:
http://www.tronbuilder.com/Tron-builder-6su7-review.php
So if you have any equipment that uses 6SL7s, and you want to give it a real shot in the arm, fit some RCA 5691 Red Bases or Tung Sol 6SU7GTYs! :cool:
Marco.