Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[Beatlebum]

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So after some listening this morning with the 6SN7 driver tube I decided to try the 6SL7 that Dennis sent with my Inspire Fire Bottle PSE. Noticed an increase in dynamics and detail retrieval but maybe a slight loss in overall body. The 6SL7 offers a more upfront presentation.

Anyone with thoughts on 6SL7's in their amps?

[Musica Amantem]

Originally Posted by Beatlebum

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So after some listening this morning with the 6SN7 driver tube I decided to try the 6SL7 that Dennis sent with my Inspire Fire Bottle PSE. Noticed an increase in dynamics and detail retrieval but maybe a slight loss in overall body. The 6SL7 offers a more upfront presentation.

Anyone with thoughts on 6SL7's in their amps?

The 6SL7 has more gain (Mu = 70 vs 20) and much more plate resistance and voltage output, so it yields less current. You should expect a more "in your face" sound with likely less delicacy and inner detail, but at higher SPL with the 6SL7. Both can be used, but chances are you'll end up with the 6SN7, like most of us. You should try them both and see what you like. Dennis sent my new Inspire SET (Triode mode) with a T-S 6SL7 and I never liked it.

[Bombadil]

In my system, I find using a 6SL7 to be very fatiguing. The midrange is forward, there is a lot of high energy detail. If I had darker speakers or a more damped room, perhaps I would like it. String instruments and percussion really leap out at me, and, for a few minutes, it's got a "wow" factor to it. Then I start getting this little headache.

[FloridaBoy]

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[Beatlebum]

The 6SL7 that Dennis sent says Brimar on the box. He included an RCA 6SN7 as well. I have quite a few 6SN7's from my long ago times with another preamp. I know I have some RCA's, Raytheons, Sylvannias, and some VT-231 I think. Which 6SN7's do you all prefer and why?

[FloridaBoy]

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[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by Beatlebum

The 6SL7 that Dennis sent says Brimar on the box. He included an RCA 6SN7 as well. I have quite a few 6SN7's from my long ago times with another preamp. I know I have some RCA's, Raytheons, Sylvannias, and some VT-231 I think. Which 6SN7's do you all prefer and why?

I have tried 6BX7's, 6SN7's, and 6SL7's in my amp. My go to input/driver is a Raytheon JAN-CRP-6SN7GT VT-231. I would like to see a picture of the Westinghouse Tall, Black Plate, Copper rod 6SN7GTB that Bombadil spoke of.

[FloridaBoy]

[

Originally Posted by Beatlebum

The 6SL7 that Dennis sent says Brimar on the box. He included an RCA 6SN7 as well. I have quite a few 6SN7's from my long ago times with another preamp. I know I have some RCA's, Raytheons, Sylvannias, and some VT-231 I think. Which 6SN7's do you all prefer and why?

Try them all because every system is different. Change power tubes and you may prefer a different driver.

[Bombadil]

Westinghouse 6SN7GTB - tall, copper rod, black plate. There are other Westinghouse 6SN7s out there. There is a shorter one, with a side getter that was manufactured in Canada. There are some which are rebranded Sylvania. But this one was manufactured in Westinghouse's own tube factory, from some point in the late 50s until around 1967-1968. This tube was also sold under different brands. Several Eico amps and preamps from the early 60s had Eico-branded 6SN7s, most of which were Westinghouse (but some are GE). I've seen them under other labels too, like the 1960s Raytheon 6SN7, Airline, more. Pretty easy to identify given that the tube is taller and has that copper rod. Some of them have gray plates.

[Bombadil]

Just a note, the 6SN7 and VT-231 are the same thing. Same goes for the 6SL7 and VT-229. The VT codes are military inventory codes. Tubes with the VT designation are not ruggedized, hardened, or in any way different than the standard tubes. One might like a particular VT-231, just as one might like any particular 6SN7.

There are many other tubes out there where having a "JAN" code means the tube is a bit different. Thicker glass, more rugged construction, etc. But for the 6SN7/6SL7 tubes, manufacturers merely stamped the VT codes on them because the military needed that for inventory control.