“I have a Schiit Freya + and rolled two of these matched tubes, the original Tung Sol, two matched Electroharmonix, and two closely matched brown based JAN 1959 Short body Tung Sols. In addition my speakers have a fine three position high frequency setting that complimented the differences in the tubes. After trying almost every combination, I settled on these Russian tubes in the driver position with the new Tung Sols in the power position, and my speakers set on the highest boost of the highs (1.5 db). The result gave me a very clean and natural sound with just enough sibilance to make dialog easy to understand but still sweet and natural sounding. Percussion instruments are spooky real with all the character of the instruments coming through. Thanks Kevin”

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Posted 6 years ago

“I loved my Feliks Euforia right when I got it home and listened to music, but I noticed it wasn't quite as detailed as my solid state amp (a Neve Precision). I decided to wait a few weeks and let everything burn in. While the presentation improved, it still wasn't as detailed as my Utopias were capable of presenting. I tried putting some new production Russian Tung Sol tubes in there and the detail was now there, but the bloomy, guey, tubey goodness was gone. I just resigned myself to the fact that I can't have both. Then I tried these tubes! Yes you can both! I noticed it immediately when I put them in. I wasn't expecting much because I paid so little. They've had a few days to burn in and they keep getting better and better. The detail is there. It's pushing my Utopias to their capabilities and yet there is also warmth. I can hear so deeply into my recordings, but there is also musicality and humanity. The Neve isn't even on my desk anymore. It's going into my eBay pile. It sounds clinical by comparison. Curiously, I also find myself listening at lower volumes. I'm going to get another one of these tubes for my Vali 2 in the bedroom.”

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Posted 6 years ago

“Wow! I am surprised at the transformation these tubes have made to my system. Midrange! Immediately noticed an improvement over the Tung-Sol & Chinese 6SN7 tubes I've been using. Slight warmth but mostly neutral & improved soundstage. I don't even have them broken in yet. I hope they last & I hope Upscale has a good supply. Will buy more. Very cool tube!”

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Posted 7 years ago

David Martinez

Unverified Reviewer

“I must admit, I was a bit skeptical especially given the price. I used them as driver/phase splitter tubes in my Bob Latino ST-120 amp. I have tried Slyvania Chrome Domes, CBS and Ratheon 6SN7 tubes, but I keep coming back to these. Less grainy on top and easier to listen to than the other tubes I've tried with just a little sparkle for sweetness. Highly recommended.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“These are the cure to 6sn7 star stuck wallet kilLing sickness. Stick with the early (approx mid 1950's to early 60's) creations from either the russian MELZ or FOTON factories, and you have a tube that will rival or exceed any of the expensive 'usual suspects' While these have a nice dab of midrange warmth, the overall sound is more neutral, with a never harsh high end and tight punchy bass. I have a pair of the late 50's 6H8C FOTON tubes, fed by a single mid 1960's Mullard CV4004 from the Mitcham factory. Talk about absolute bliss.... especially on large scale orchestral music. My advice would be BUY THESE NOW while they are affordable. As stocks of the fav. 'Annointed' 6SN7' disappear, these are going to get really really expensive!”

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Posted 8 years ago

“When I saw these on Kevin's website I was skeptical as the cost seemed too low. However, it was intriguing that they were found in a warehouse in Brazil. I bought 4 of these , platinum grade; one of the best tube deals ever!! I use then with 4 gold lion KT88s and 2 gold lion 12AX7s. All of these were bought from Upscale Audio. Initially I tried the 6SN7s with PSVANE-T KT88s and 12AX7s. The change of just the 6sn7 tubes was remarkable. The soundstage and depth increase were very noticeable. Replacing the PSVANE KT88s and 12AX7s with Gold Lion tubes made the sound even sweeter. I've had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin and an associate twice now. You can be sure when Kevin and his associates speak about stereo stuff it is the best possible advice. All hail King Kevin! All my tube purchases are now from Upscale Audio.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Leave it to Kevin to run down the killer tubes! I put this tube up against my treasured Sylvania 6SN7WGT brown base chrome domes in the input stage of my 845 amps and they held there ground with the Sylvania 6SN7!! That's saying a lot about just how good these tubes are. It's great buying tubes from Kevin because he does such a great job matching the tubes and he weeds out any that don't test exactly the way they should. I know I'm in great hands with Upscale Audio. I've been doing business with Kevin and his team for over 25 years!!!”

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Posted 10 years ago

“Bought these along with the KT88 Gold Lions. They make a great combo back up with the brimar 12ax7 c4004. I have in 6sn7 raytheons, RCA bottom getter and Sylvania gtb found that I like the russian and gold lion to be the combo that I am most pleased with.Thank you Upscale audio for selling me Quality tubes. It is just to bad that I am the type of person who thinks there might be something else out there that I might be missing, so I experiment, not a bad thing if you share your results.”

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Posted 11 years ago

Early Russian 6H8C / 6SN7 Gold Grade / No Cryo Reviews