Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB Tubes by steven d

Model:	6SN7GTB
Category:	Tubes
Suggested Retail Price:	$17
Description:	Re-issue from New Sensor
Manufacturer URL:	Tung-Sol

Review by steven d on July 16, 2010 at 10:30:52
IP Address: 173.34.1.136 Add Your Review
for the 6SN7GTB

OK, so here's my second tube roll, these Tung-Sols replace the stock Shuguang tubes. At the time of initial installation into the circuit, the tube complement was as follows:

Pre: Ei ECC83
Driver: TS 6SN7GTB
Power: Shuguang KT88-98 (since replaced by Gold Lion)

My initial impression was, "Holy crap, that's some KILLER bass" coming from the wee Cremona Auditors. All instruments and vocals had better body. After listening for a little while I felt that there was little airiness and speed about the music and that the presentation was way too dark.

I switched back to the Shuggies and the air was back, basslines were much tighter though not as rich. I had the Shugs on for another day before putting the TS back in. I tried again for several days (about 8 hours of play time) to like them but just too muddy, harmonically OVER-rich if that's even possible, and too slow... so back go in the Shugs.

I was ready to send them back and take the 15% restock charge (or perhaps go for the 6SN7EH). I thought before doing so that I should perhaps give the tube a few more hours. I put 25 non-listening hours on 'em over five or six days and then sat down and listened again. Things were much better. Bottom end went from strong but muddy to tight and rich, there was better extension on top, and much cleaner too; soundstage became deeper where back-ground vocals became more intelligible. The overly rich harmonics settled nicely. Vocals have a beautiful TEXTURE as do any type of stringed instrument. Attacks are incredibly quick.

Switching back to the Shuguang, the sound was thin, flat, lacked body. The Tung-Sols will be in place for as long as they last.

I'm very happy now. Since upping the power tubes to the GLs, the difference in sonics between the Tung-Sol and Shuguang is much more apparent. The GLs are simply amazing, and they only have about 18 hours on 'em as I'm listening to track 2 "Sing, Sing, Sing'" on Pizzarelli's NIRVANA (LRC29090).

Product Weakness:	can't think of any yet
Product Strengths:	relatively inexpensive compared to old stock, clean sound, incredible power in the lower end

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Raysonic sp120
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Fidelity A5
Speakers: Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor, Rythmik Audio F12SE
Cables/Interconnects: Tara Labs RSC Air1
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Classical, Roots Reggae
Room Size (LxWxH): 13 x 10.7 x 9.5
Room Comments/Treatments: (6) GIK 244 and (4) D1
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Crystal Cables power cords
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Raysonic sp120
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Musical Fidelity A5
Speakers:	Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor, Rythmik Audio F12SE
Cables/Interconnects:	Tara Labs RSC Air1
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical, Roots Reggae
Room Size (LxWxH):	13 x 10.7 x 9.5
Room Comments/Treatments:	(6) GIK 244 and (4) D1
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Crystal Cables power cords
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner