[Hallicrafters] re:6V6s old and new

[Andy Bullington]

My comments were about the 6V6 tube in particular. I have seen gassy 6V6s
but they usually still work fine. Not so with NOS preamp tubes. I have seen
several of these bad out of the box because of gas.
     I believe I said you probably wouldn't notice a difference in sound
between NOS or new 6V6s...especially in a receiver audio circuit...on the
other hand all the audio tubes are distinctive as to type...at least to me,
6V6s sound different than 6L6s or EL84s etc. These differences become more
evident the further down the audio food chain you get.  Most people can't
tell the difference between high end audio amps with great specs whether
they are solid state, 6V6, 7591s or whatever.
Much less what brand tube you happen to be using. But with simpler circuits
the differences between tube types (not brands)  and/or solid state can be
pretty obvious.
Probably why my SX101A sounds so different than either my K2 or my Omni V.
I've been a professional musician for over 30 years  so I trust my ears. I
don't think its my imagination. I happen to like the sound of my SX 101A
with its 6K6 audio out better than my newer solidstate rigs ...it sounds a
little sweeter and a little more musical to me, but, then....its all a
matter of taste.
     As far as longevity goes...give me NOS 6V6s any day. I can't think of
the last time I've had one fail on me.
Not so the cheaper new Eastern European 6V6s..I've had lots of them fail in
6 months to 2 years..(under rigorous field conditions, of course)

              Andy W1AWB