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new production 300b?

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Posted on October 26, 2009 at 01:30:05
mbede
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Joined: October 23, 2007
 Hi all,

Has anyone compared the sound of KR 300b XLS to 300b "baloon" tubes?
Am currently using 300b XLS, but would like to shift to something more relaxed.
Anyone heard the new Shunguang "treasure" 300b-z tubes (black glass)?
I`ve also heard that there are some new Chinese graphite plate 300b tubes that sound very good? Supposedly Audio Note UK uses them in their 300b amps? Any info?

Thanks!

RE: new production 300b?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 17:28:38
coolhand
Audiophile

Posts: 220
Location: BBQ Area
Joined: June 5, 2006
 True-true....the EML Mesh is a very neutral & relaxed sounding tube that is quite uniform in its response, you'll trade a bit of low end wallop and grip for its gossamer qualities, easily one of the best current production 300B's IMHO !

RE: new production 300b?, posted on October 29, 2009 at 09:21:47
Craiger56
Audiophile

Posts: 2397
Location: San Jose CA
Joined: April 3, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 29, 2003
 In the June/July 08 TAS there's some info on a guy that's been making tubes since he graduated from tube school in 1955.

Cheers

RE: new production 300b?, posted on October 27, 2009 at 14:14:52
shaman
Audiophile

Posts: 160
Joined: May 6, 2002
 I am currently running in a pair of Shunguang "treasure" 300b-z tubes .At the moment not too impressed.Bottom end is great but vocals sound rough and compressed.I am told that they need 300 hours to give of their best. Will let you know if that is the case.Currently have about 100 hours on them.Buying 300b tubes is not easy in my experience ...or cheap!

300 hours is a lot, posted on October 27, 2009 at 16:21:51
Metralla
Audiophile

Posts: 6417
Location: San Jose, California
Joined: January 30, 2001
 I know the 300B output tube in the right circuit can last a long time - I've had four different pairs of 300Bs in my Welborne Lab Laurels over 8 years or so and they were all replaced before performance dropped off. And I run these amps a lot. So they do last.

But it is a pain to give up 10% (estimated) of the tube's life to break in.

Regards,
Geoff
RE: new production 300b?, posted on October 26, 2009 at 09:52:06
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 262
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
 What makes you think that it is the tubes that are defining the sound?

RE: new production 300b?, posted on October 26, 2009 at 10:04:43
mbede
Audiophile

Posts: 17
Joined: October 23, 2007
 Tubes are certainly not defining the sound, but they do make a difference that can sometimes be decisive.

RE: new production 300b?, posted on October 26, 2009 at 03:18:30
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 579
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 If you want szomething that still sound very accurate and transparent, but a bit more relaxed, try the EML 300B mesh plate version.

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