Go Figure! (Valve Topic)

[karma67]

So my John Wood amp uses 2 6H8C valves which are peanuts. They are the Russian equivalent of the 6SN7GT. A few years back i decided to try some Tung-sol black glass VT-99's (6F8G) which are relatively rare and get great reviews,ive been happy with them and felt no desire to change them.

Last night however i was going through my valves and decided to put the old Russian ones back in to remind me just how good the Tung-sols are.


Well blow me down,those 6H8C's actually sound better to my ears now! Perhaps at the time it was a case of different sounding better? the bass is much tighter with the TS valves but where the 6H8C come into their own is on vocals. Im really shocked as i thought they would sound miles behind the Tung-Soles.


Go Figure! lol I'll leave them in for a few days and switch back just to be sure.

 

[Rayymondo]

May be the ones you have been using have just "worn out" a bit - degraded over time?

 

[karma67]

thats a possibility although they were bought as testing NOS.

 

[lostwin]

I probably have the same KT88 John Wood amp as you. I have found that the 6SN7 valve position does allow for a distinct change in presentation depending on what is used.

I have also tried the 6H8C valves but have to say found them pretty bland and perfunctory in delivery. A good angled plate 6SN7 is my preferred option.

 

[karma67]

. A good angled plate 6SN7 is my preferred option.

cheers, could you recommend a particular pair please?

 

[Psilonaught]

I was planning on trying some VT-99 in my power amp at some point. Currently using cv181 black treasures.

Don't suppose I could borrow your pair for a day or two??

 

[lostwin]

cheers, could you recommend a particular pair please?

We dug into this a bit on the following recent thread. The Sylvania’s I currently use are clean and hugely dynamic but need a touch of warmth from elsewhere in the system. Seemed to be a bit of consensus around angled plate versions though.
https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/6sl7-or-6sn7-icon-audio-stereo-25-with-kt88.109891/