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replacing tubes on amp.

Augoners,
hi guys,i need some advice on changing tubes. sine my BAT amp have 4 pairs of power tubes and 8 pairs of the little 6sn7.. the question is..it is hard to find 8 pairs of 6sn7 of the same kind in the used market..do i need to keep the same brand on all of the tubes? and can i switch 1 or 2 pairs at a time or do i have to switch everything at once?.would it improve the sound if i replace only 1 pair of tube at a time?thanks
ttrhp
ttrhp OP
107 posts
 
do i need to replace all tubes at the same time? can i replace 1 pair at a time?
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Albert's advice is a good safe bet for very good performance.

There are other audiophiles though that do get good results mix and matching different 6sn7 tubes; if you want to take the time to do a lot of "tube rolling". The "mixed" crowd believe using all the same tube seems to accentuate the particular tube's weaknesses.

A popular alternative is to use the older VT231/6SN7s as the voltage amplifiers, and the 6SN7-GTA/GTB as driver tubes. They feel they are playing on the strengths of both types.

albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
I don't disagree with Sugarbrie, especially if you have the funds and patience to own multiple sets of this tube type. There are many great versions of the 6SN7 and performance likely varies from circuit to circuit.

My main concern was that "Ttrhp" not purchase premium priced Russian or Chinese 6SN7 tubes when old stocks of great tubes are plentiful.

If tests of mixed 6SN7 type tubes are done with the BAT, It would be nice for the results to be posted so all may benefit.
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