Author Topic: 6SN7 and 300B tubes  (Read 2700 times)

Offline StephenWVU

  • Audio Geek!
  • ***
  • Posts: 357
  • Karma: +0/-0
6SN7 and 300B tubes
« on: July 07, 2014, 09:37:58 AM »
Hey guys,

I recently acquired a pair of VAC Renaissance 140 amplifiers and am looking to retube them. It takes a total of 8 6SN7 tubes and 16 300B tubes.  The amps are in route and come with 4 EH Gold Pin 6SN7's and 8 JJ 300B tubes (they were split and one person sold the tubes before I got the amplifier).  I have done some reading and the JJ 300B tubes seem to be worth while.  The EH tubes not so much.  If any of you have recommendations for 6SN7 tubes I would love to hear them.  I am considering Black Glass Nationals, Shuguang Treasures, and RCA grey glass.  Also looking to buy if any of you have 8 6SN7 tubes or 300B's that will do the trick.  300B tubes are pricy and I am really hoping the JJs do it for me.  If not I will sell them and get something else.  If any of you have a recommendation that isn't the 1500 a pair Western Electric that would be great.  Trying to keep my investment here to a minimum without sacrificing quality. 
Speakers: Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams Reference 18
Amplifier:
Mark Levinson ML3 (subs)
Phison A2.120SE (towers)
Preamplifier/DAC/Phono: Phison PD2SE
Server: Pi & NUC
Turntable: VPI HR-X, VdH Colibri XGW

bmwr75

  • Guest
Re: 6SN7 and 300B tubes
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2014, 10:46:47 AM »
Sixteen 300B tubes ain't going to be cheap no matter what brand you go with.

Offline StephenWVU

  • Audio Geek!
  • ***
  • Posts: 357
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: 6SN7 and 300B tubes
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2014, 11:13:52 AM »
I can invest a total of $2000 and still be in good shape.
Speakers: Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams Reference 18
Amplifier:
Mark Levinson ML3 (subs)
Phison A2.120SE (towers)
Preamplifier/DAC/Phono: Phison PD2SE
Server: Pi & NUC
Turntable: VPI HR-X, VdH Colibri XGW

Offline schwarcw

  • Ready For Intervention!
  • ******
  • Posts: 1625
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • No one here gets out alive!
Re: 6SN7 and 300B tubes
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2014, 07:28:06 PM »
I use 6SN7's in my Rogue peamp.  My experience is that Sylvania's are a great buy for the money (about $15 - $20 each).  Try those first.  The RCA 5692s are the best in class in the 6SN7 variety (about $100+ per tube).  The Treasures are real pricey.  The people at Rogue Audio have heard them in my Rogue 99.  I asked them for an opinion if the Treasures or the Psavane are worth the money.  Their opinion was they were good but no better than the red base RCA 5692s.  I've tried the gray glass, they were noisy.  YMMV
Carl