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Looking for vintage 6SN7s?
Chances are, I have in stock what you want :) I am an avid 6SN7 fan and have been selling tubes for many years at Audiogon and eBay. My Audiogon account is whoopadeedoo; My eBay account is happyguy17. Check my feedbacks and buy with confidence. WYSIWIG photos and test values are available upon request as well.
Below is a small sample of what I have in stock right now. I make my best attempt to keep this ad updated regularly.
Brimar 6SN7GT black glass/black base: $200/pr (NOS)
GE 6SN7GTB (not coin base): $35/pr (NOS/NIB)
GE 6SN7GTB (rare bright bridged top filament): $50/pr (NOS/NIB)
Hytron 1951 6SN7GT: $110/pr (NOS/NIB)
Ken Rad VT-231 black glass: $150/pr (NOS)
National Union gray glass JAN-CNU-6SN7GT: $175/pr (NOS)
Raytheon VT-231 (dual mica support, flat plates, "type 2"): $135/pr (NOS)
Raytheon 6SN7WGT brown base: $100/pr (NOS)
RCA 6SN7GTB (black base, not coin base): $50/pr (NOS/NIB)
RCA 6SN7GT gray glass, earliest 1943 vintage: $135/pr (NOS), $150/pr (NOS/NIB)
RCA VT-231 gray glass, 1944-1945 vintage: $125/pr (NOS)
Sylvania 6SN7GT BAD BOYS (1952): $175/pr (NOS/NIB rebranded)
Sylvania 6SN7GTB: $50/pr (NOS/NIB)
Sylvania 6SN7W short bottle: $240/pr (NOS/NIB)
Sylvania 6SN7W tall bottle: $360/pr (NOS/NIB)
Sylvania 6SN7WGT brown base (older T plates): $150/pr (NOS/NIB)
Sylvania VT-231: $125/pr (NOS), $150/pr (NOS/NIB)
Tung Sol 6SN7GTB: $75/pr (NOS/NIB)
definitions:
lightly used = used but tests like new
NOS = new old stock, unused tubes
NIB = new in box
MANY NOS singles are available too. Don't see what you're looking for? Just ask. :-) I have more tubes not listed here.
I gladly accept mailed payment or paypal without any surcharges. USA shipping is a flat $5 via USPS Priority Mail, regardless of quantity; International shipping begins at $10. I fully stand behind all my products and am eager to offer advice.
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Ten 6SN7 Recommendations
Having auditioned most 6SN7s (and there are a lot of them), I've decided to draft a list of ten "must audition" tubes. I chose these selections based on not only absolute performance, but also for sonic diversity. I am confident you will find a 6SN7 that suits your needs and/or preferences from the tubes listed below.
Disclaimer: This is not a top ten list. There are many other excellent performers that missed the cut for various reasons. You may very well prefer a 6SN7 that is not on this list. And of course, this is all just my personal opinion. My goal is to provide a list of 6SN7 recommendations that provide excellent sonics but sound significantly different. Tubes are listed in alphabetical order (not by ranking).
Brimar 6SN7GT/6SN7GTY: Lush. This is arguably the warmest, most "round" sounding 6SN7 produced. While in some systems, it may sound slow and bloated, in other systems, it sounds lush and wonderfully bloomy.
Ken Rad 6SN7GT/VT-231: Bass champs. The treble may not be the most refined, but both the clear and black glass versions provide world-class bass performance married with a sweet and seductive midrange.
Hytron 6SN7GT: Neutral and fast. Need speed and clarity? Hytrons are very hard to top. This is definitely my personal tube of choice for detail and neutrality. I liken Hytrons to crystal clear streams.
National Union gray glass 6SN7GT: Liquid and mellow. This tube is perfect to tame harsh systems or if you are looking for more open ambience from your 6SN7. NU GG is like floating on cloud nine.
Raytheon 6SN7GT/VT-231 type II flat plates: Sweet PRAT. This tube is much like the Hytron 6SN7GT, but with a sweeter tone. Not quite as detailed or neutral as the Hytron, but arguably more seductive.
RCA gray glass 6SN7GT/VT-231: Romanticism and warmth. The RCA gray glass possesses a full midbass and gorgeous harmonic richness, but yet delicate and detailed. When I crave the quintessential tube sound, the RCA gray glass is the first tube I plug in.
Sylvania 6SN7GT/VT-231: Heavenly from the belt up. I call this tube the anti-thesis of the Ken Rad 6SN7GT/VT-231. While somewhat lacking in bass impact, the Sylvania 6SN7GT/VT-231 arguably produces the most beautiful midrange and top end in this family of tubes. Its midrange is clear and open, and the treble is smooth as butter yet unrivaled in its detail and spatial separation. Zero listener fatigue is guaranteed.
Sylvania "Bad Boys" 6SN7GT (1951-1953): World class everything. Imagine the Sylvania VT-231. Now imagine it with bass in spades! What you have is Sylvania 6SN7GT from this era, often reverently referred to as "Bad Boys." This tube is often mentioned in "best 6SN7" discussions.
Sylvania 6SN7W: Dynamics and slam. I can think of no other 6SN7 with more visceral energy then the Sylvania 6SN7W. From earth-shattering bass to the sparkling treble, all three versions of the 6SN7Ws provide a full throttle musical experience. The Sylvania 6SN7W certainly earns its place as a legendary 6SN7.
Tung Sol 6SN7GT/VT-231 round plates: Absolute silk. This tube needs no introduction. The Tung Sol round plates are arguably the most sought after 6SN7 for its "organic rightness."
-Len
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