Two years later, new TS 6SN7GTB re-issue tried them again -
Checking a quad of 6SN7s for possible noise in my preamp, just for grins I popped in the new-reissue Tung Sol 6SN7GTBs again two years later. They had fewer hours on them and kept them around for testing. I let them run in for a few days this time. While waiting, I re-read in a few places on different forums how common these new birds are now days for use in new tube preamps and amplifiers instead of NOS. Known as the "5692" replacement.
Trying again, noticed:
-dead quiet
-not so recessed or deep staged as some of my NOS 6SN7s are
-midrange comes forward, immediately, front and center and all across the front (nice)
-they do clear up and open up more after first hour of play each time i fire them up
-sound stage opens up after you put more time on them, improves each time now
-can actually be quite musical, particularly in the midrange, better than some of my NOS
-grainy at first when band new, and its true, this DISAPPEARS after 50hrs+ of burn-in
-3D holographic affect kicks in more so after they've been playing 2+ hrs
Kinda fun to try these every once in a while again. Maybe they just have gotten better with more play time on theme since brand new, i don't know.
Anyone else running these new birds as your primary 6SN7 now?
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