Shootout of Nos 6sn7 tubes

@RealMcCoy
If possible- grab a magnifying glass and look closely at the numbers that are located on the glass pinch just above the tube socket. These may/may not be helpful identifying your tubes. (See attached of one of your tubes).

1759764715805.jpeg
 
I noticed your post of these on the other forum as well- are you sure there aren’t any other numbers stamped into the base? All of pics show the same view point.
Only "Made in U.S.A. 6F8G" is written on the base, it's blank on the rest.
 
Only "Made in U.S.A. 6F8G" is written on the base, it's blank on the rest.
Nothing more above the base as highlighted on your picture?
 
@thomask
I know this is an old topic, but did you find a difference in sonics between MELZ 1578 6N8S with holes on the plates vs. the MELZ 6N8S with standard plates?
I'm interested because both types are for sale and they look NOS.
 
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@thomask
I know this is an old topic, but did you find a difference in sonics between MELZ 1578 6N8S with holes on the plates vs. the MELZ 6N8S with standard plates?
I'm interested because both types are for sale and they look NOS.
Comparing with @christoph (maybe he'll chime in?) in his Lampizator Horizon, they sound quite different: the Holy Plate 1578 is all about transparency and resolution, the earlier 6N8S puts greater emphasis on tone. To me both sounded great (truly great in fact, some of the best), ultimately the choice may be more about system synergy than the tube model, although it's tempting to say 1578 are among the finest 6SN7 ever made. Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your equipment whether 6SN7 GT can be used, or only GTA and GTB versions of 6SN7 as in most modern amplifiers (higher ratings for plate voltage and dissipation). Needless to say, not a problem in a Lampizator DAC.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
 
Comparing with @christoph (maybe he'll chime in?) in his Lampizator Horizon, they sound quite different: the Holy Plate 1578 is all about transparency and resolution, the earlier 6N8S puts greater emphasis on tone. To me both sounded great (truly great in fact, some of the best), ultimately the choice may be more about system synergy than the tube model, although it's tempting to say 1578 are among the finest 6SN7 ever made. Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your equipment whether 6SN7 GT can be used, or only GTA and GTB versions of 6SN7 as in most modern amplifiers (higher ratings for plate voltage and dissipation). Needless to say, not a problem in a Lampizator DAC.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
Thanks for the reply, David. I've been using the 1578s in my Atma-sphere S-30 ever since @thomask recommended them (very early in this thread).
Currently, only one pair tests as GOOD, the other is Weak. I'd like to purchase another pair and I know Thomas tried both MELZ types.
Both types are for sale on Ebay but this raises another issue. My 1578s with the plate holes have rectangular micas, the current tubes for sale have oval micas. The Melz without the holes are from a Ukrainian vendor who I ordered from and never received.
Posts on another forum state that the oval plates sound different but are the only type for sale at the moment. The 1578 rectangular plates are the finest sounding tubes I've ever owned, second to the Tung Sol BGRP (which I've seen priced at $1000 USD).
I'm wondering if the oval plate are a later generation, which are known to have lesser build quality.
 
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@acousticsguru & @Designsfx

I've been tube rolling and the 1578s in the V1 position are indeed transparent.They also present smooth extended highs and a larger 3D soundstage than the Ken Rad VT-231s they replaced. So smooth and musical, I'm not even going to try the Melz non-hole 6N8S.

There are no 1578 for sale, but Melz 6N8S with 5 holes in the plates and with oval micas are available.
After some research, I've learned these are non-military Melz. But they have supporting rods like the 1578, so I may give them a go. The dealers are in Ukraine which has a 10% tariff as far as I can tell. But the Ebay site mentions US customs fees. I don't know what these fees are, never paid them before on imported goods. Maybe AI can tell me.
 
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Thanks for the reply, David. I've been using the 1578s in my Atma-sphere S-30 ever since @thomask recommended them (very early in this thread).
Currently, only one pair tests as GOOD, the other is Weak. I'd like to purchase another pair and I know Thomas tried both MELZ types.
Both types are for sale on Ebay but this raises another issue. My 1578s with the plate holes have rectangular micas, the current tubes for sale have oval micas. The Melz without the holes are from a Ukrainian vendor who I ordered from and never received.
Posts on another forum state that the oval plates sound different but are the only type for sale at the moment. The 1578 rectangular plates are the finest sounding tubes I've ever owned, second to the Tung Sol BGRP (which I've seen priced at $1000 USD).
I'm wondering if the oval plate are a later generation, which are known to have lesser build quality.
IMG_1126.jpeg
I only know the original type at the left, and even among those, early ones from the sixties sound ever so slightly better (less clinical/analytical) than later builds, although I wouldn’t worry about it unless presented with a choice.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
 
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