Thank you, that was interesting. You made some very good points about availability and accessability that had been on my mind for a while; it can be difficult for the novice to know where to start, and then where to go next, and you did a good job of bringing your expertise and your friends resources together to make a clear picture for us, and I appreciate that.
The MELZ 1578 (machine-gun plate) is very well known as one of the best 6SN7 equivalent tubes ever made. Additionally some of the Sylvania loctal 7N7 tubes also sound excellent. The problem is that the 1578 is pretty close to "unobtainium" now or extremely expensive if you are lucky enough to be able to find a close matched/balanced pair. Another great 6SN7 tube is the Sylvania 6SN7GTA straight-plate (as opposed to the angle-plate variant). You could also try the Toshiba 6SN7GTB which is not quite as warm or rich as the Sylvania 6SN7GTA straight-plate, but still a very nice sounding tube - amazing bass with very smooth but detailed mid-range and top-end. Alternatively, the Toshiba 6CG7/6FQ7 (with the appropriate adapter) sounds absolutely fabulous in the 6SN7 position. The Sylvania and Hitachi 6GU7 (which uses the same adapter as the 6CG7/6FQ7) is also well worth a try. Of course my favourite is the MELZ 1578, but, as I only have one pair of these left in my tube inventory, I'm currently using the Toshiba 6CG7/6FQ7 as it is one of my top three favourite tubes to be used in the 6SN7 position.
I bought a Reserve for my Lyr+ to see what it does. I use the Lyr+ as a preamp for my KLH speakers, so it'll be interesting. I have an NOS RCA that is warm, but not 'gooey,' or 'syrupy.' Hoping the top end has some sparkle and the bass is more rotund. Great video! Great channel!
Thanks for the review. I am very skeptical about buying NOS tubes and was always looking for new tubes and companies. Linlai makes also 6SN7 (Global Elite E-6SN7). They are at premium, but heard a lot good about them. They are cheaper than Apos Ray Reserve but more expensive than Select.
Before the war, I was able to get original 1587 (has design features) Melz hole plate 6N8S from Russia at a great price, the best 6SN7 out there. Another premium Soviet tube is Foton Tashkent Uzbekistan 6H8C (with Rhombus marking) again price pre war was sweet.
What about 2 mil spec matched 6J5G tubes in a 6J5+6J5 to 6SN7 adapter? Gotta sound far better than the 6SN7, IMO and far cheaper. Tubes - $67 - Adapter - $33 - NOS Sylvania 7n7 is $17 on eBay and the adapter is $16 from eBay.
This is the PSVance 6SN7C which is about half the price normally, or less on AliExpress. Apos tubes are just PSVane rebrands and sound identical because they are identical.
I recommend allowing the 4 tubes to fully break in first before you start to roll tubes. My Freya+ with Tong Sol premium tubes sounded thin right out of the box. But, after about 20 hours, they became fuller and warmer sounding. I had purchased a pair of Electroharmonix platinum tubes from Upscale Audio and used them in the input stage at first. They did enhance the sound with better highs, and slightly more bass with a slightly better midrange (slight as in barely noticeable). But, then I switched them to the gain stage and everything opened up even more... like a lot more. That is my current configuration (Tung Sol on Input, and Electroharmonix on the gain stage). I bought a pair of Sylvania GTB tubes, but haven't had time to try them out. To answer your question, start with four matched tubes through break-in, and then start to roll in pairs. You'll thank me later 😊
@@Artemis_Prix Input stage = gain stage, output = cathode follower. What I remember when owned the Freya is the right side is input/the left side is output.
