Sylvania (tall) 7N7
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Ten 6SN7 Recommendations Having auditioned most 6SN7s (and there are a lot of them), I’ve decided to draft a list of ten “must audition” tubes. I chose these selections based on not only absolute performance, but also for sonic diversity. I am confident you will find a 6SN7 that suits your needs and/or preferences from the tubes listed below. Disclaimer: This is not a top ten list. There are many other excellent performers that missed the cut for various reasons. You may very well prefer a 6SN7 that is not on this list. And of course, this is all just my personal opinion. My goal is to provide a list of 6SN7 recommendations that provide excellent sonics but sound significantly different. Tubes are listed in alphabetical order (not by ranking).
Brimar 6SN7GT/6SN7GTY: Lush This is arguably the warmest, most “round” sounding 6SN7 produced. While in some systems, it may sound slow and bloated, in other systems, it sounds lush and wonderfully bloomy.
Ken Rad 6SN7GT/VT-231: Bass champs. The treble may not be the most refined, but both the clear and black glass versions provide world-class bass performance married with a sweet and seductive midrange.
Hytron 6SN7GT: Neutral and fast. Need speed and clarity? Hytrons are very hard to top. This is definitely my personal tube of choice for detail and neutrality. I liken Hytrons to crystal clear streams.
National Union gray glass 6SN7GT: Liquid and mellow. This tube is perfect to tame harsh systems or if you are looking for more open ambience from your 6SN7. NU GG is like floating on cloud nine.
Raytheon 6SN7GT/VT-231 type II flat plates: Sweet PRAT. This tube is much like the Hytron 6SN7GT, but with a sweeter tone. Not quite as detailed or neutral as the Hytron, but arguably more seductive.
RCA gray glass 6SN7GT/VT-231: Romanticism and warmth. The RCA gray glass possesses a full midbass and gorgeous harmonic richness, but yet delicate and detailed. When I crave the quintessential tube sound, the RCA gray glass is the first tube I plug in.
Sylvania 6SN7GT/VT-231: Heavenly from the belt up. I call this tube the anti-thesis of the Ken Rad 6SN7GT/VT-231. While somewhat lacking in bass impact, the Sylvania 6SN7GT/VT-231 arguably produces the most beautiful midrange and top end in this family of tubes. Its midrange is clear and open, and the treble is smooth as butter yet unrivaled in its detail and spatial separation. Zero listener fatigue is guaranteed.
Sylvania “Bad Boys” 6SN7GT (1951-1953): World class everything. Imagine the Sylvania VT-231. Now imagine it with bass in spades! What you have is Sylvania 6SN7GT from this era, often reverently referred to as “Bad Boys.” This tube is often mentioned in “best 6SN7” discussions.
Sylvania 6SN7W: Dynamics and slam. I can think of no other 6SN7 with more visceral energy then the Sylvania 6SN7W. From earth-shattering bass to the sparkling treble, all three versions of the 6SN7Ws provide a full throttle musical experience. The Sylvania 6SN7W certainly earns its place as a legendary 6SN7.
Tung Sol 6SN7GT/VT-231 round plates: Absolute silk. This tube needs no introduction. The Tung Sol round plates are arguably the most sought after 6SN7 for its “organic rightness.”
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The DarkVoice I bought from @Rick_Jones the other day arrived this afternoon. (Thanks!) Anytime I get something new, the first thing I play using it is something from Tool.
After the first track on Fear Inoculum, the adjective that comes to mind on the DarkVoice is ‘fat’ or ‘phat’ for you zoomers out there. Justin’s bass guitar sounds fuckin’ sick on tubes!
I’m using the Senn HD650’s at the moment. Will try with the DT800 600 ohm’s next.
I’m also very impressed with the amount of power this is putting out. I wasn’t expecting it to be this much.
I’m starting with the stock tubes since this is my first tube amp. @Rick_Jones also threw in some additional tubes in the sale. I’ll get to those another time. I should experience the stock ones before going to something else.
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Cool, yea it definitely has some good power and should drive your DT800s with no problems.
BTW, when you switch out the smaller pre-amp tube, I did burn that in for a bit which brought the humming sound down a lot. There is still a very slight hum with it. But you shouldn’t hear it so much with higher impendence headphones like the DT880s.
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Rolling a few Melz 1578 tubes, got a rare solid plated 1578 (Center) to audition against my two peferated plated 1578.
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Them stock tubes…throw them away… NOS tubes are best on the Darkvoice. (any amp really)
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Ok, was told not to hog up thread space here so last post for a bit until I get invited back… If you’d like a combo pairing suggestion… one for Radiohead music in particular. (just love their recordings) 6H8C (early to mid 50’s) and Bendix 6080WB… To Die For… Love this combo.
What do you-mean you were told not to hog upthread space? That’s exactly what these threads are for 
posting info pertinent to the thread. I’ve been reading this thread and gleeming much useful info from reading folks experience here.
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Thanks Nick, I think it’s the threads auto reply or some mechanism built in the site that sends out these messages if your posting more than your share … lol… nobody here told me that. Felt like I was violating the sites posting policy there. Have to pace myself I guess. 
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I’ll use my moderator status to say you’ve posted a lot but it’s all been on-topic and potentially helpful for future Darkvoice tube rollers. Feel free to keep fighting the good fight on this thread 
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Here’s an interesting paring. (adapter required) two (single triode) Sylvania 7A4 driving a Sylvania 7236. The Sylvania 7A4 tubes are a nice rounded pairing with the same loose tubey sound of the RCA 6AS7G tubes, paired with a tighter and faster output tube like the Sylvania 7236 (polar opposite of the RCA 6as7g) you got a nice yin and yang mix going on here. They’re both well extended in the stage width.
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And for those with xtra cash wanting something exotic for the Darky… (Dual 6J5 adapter needed) this pair of tubes could be end game for a lot of folks.
GEC L63
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Really… just the adaptor and the 2 tubes? What about the rear tube? That slot just stays open? Sorry about the noob questions but this is beyond my experience level.
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yes! lol, rear tube needed. Mullard 6080 plays well with these guys.
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Where did you get the Tung-Sol 7236 and a Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB
ebay is your friend. just be smart and check the feedback for the seller. also don’t be afraid to ask more knowledgeable people on forums like this for advice on whether a tube is genuine or not
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Anyone here ever used a 6SG7GT on the DarkVoice before?
My Darkvoice has given me the single largest return on the least amount of $$$$ i have spent on any single audio product i own. I spent an entire day listening to it and enjoying my music recently…it’s good to be a tone deaf / ignorant audiophile 
To each their own, i have spent plenty on this hobby myself, i am happiest when i chase the enjoyment of the music rather than the perfection of the sound and equipment. Now off i go to look at more expensive and better stuff 
afterr dropping my turd of wisdom…
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For it’s been the opposite…lol, I have invested huge in different tube types. I had no idea that was a thing when I bought the Darkvoice. Now that I’ve collected more than I’ll ever use, contemplating selling some. Little torn with that idea as I know most of these tubes will be hard to come by soon.
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