The gain is the parameter that mostly affect what we hear from a preamp/amp. Using tubes with the same gain lead to same sound level from each channel. We removed tubes close to inferior and superior limits. In photos you can see example of data. For tubes matched by curves or by Ip and Gm please see our other listings. The tubes passed all quality checks - vacuum, shorts, leakage, heater current etc.
Tested with Roetest V10, "the Rolls Royce of tube testers" [emissionlab quote], a wonderful german professional system for testing tubes, it shows everything about a tube. |
6N1P-EV equivalents/ replacement
6n1p-EV is a direct replacement for the following tubes, and the only difference is the higher heating consumption, which is easy supported by quality amplifiers/preamplifiers. For an economical, inexpensive amplifier that is made with power supply balance close or beyond limits and that already works with power transformer hot, it can be a problem.
In the same socket without any modification, you can listen with approximately the same amplification, 6N1P, 6N1P-EV, ECC88, E88CC, E188CC, 6DJ8, CV5358, M3624, CV2492, CV2493, PCC88 (this one normally needs a 7V heater voltage), 6922, CCa, 6N11, CV50064, 6N23P, 6N23P-EV.
You can use 6n1p as a replacement for ECC81 or ECC82 but only after taking care of the heater differences, easy to adapt.
I have personally tried, in the same socket of my test amplifier, 6N1P, 6N1P-EV, ECC88, E188CC, E88CC, 6N23P, 6N23p-EV, 6N2P, 6N2P-EV (much higher gain for the last 2, like ECC83 / 12AX7). I have even successfully tried E288CC and 6N6P (and ECC82, ECC81, E80CC with heater modifications). Recently I have decided to listen to any tube I sell. So I listened for a minute or so hundreds of each tubes I have mentioned above. I have noticed no sound differences, but I can’t say I have the sensitive ears of an audiophile.
So I can guarantee that you can hear clear, undistorted music if you use the 6N1P as replacement and I guarantee the electrical parameters resulting from measurement and sorting tubes.
For sound type, life time, noise, microphonic, and other specific features compared to the replaced tube, please check the catalogue sheets and read different opinions on the internet. It is also possible to get a different sound for a different amplifier. For example, E188CC is made for low noise/low signal applications, E88CC gold pin is a higher class quality than ECC88 etc.
Do not use the tubes over the maximal values recommended in datasheets. If you do this, it will be on your risk!
And safety first: turn off the device, wait a little and always use gloves when handling the tubes. The tube may be hot or it may break when inserted or extracted in/ from socket!