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Western Electric 300B-gone for ever?

81.158.147.72
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 15:17:18
paskinn@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 7
Location: UK
Joined: October 24, 2009
 I know Western Electric have ceased the 300B. Have also read suggestions that the production plant has been broken-up. Are we to assume that we have seen the last of the Western Electrics? And if so, which is now the most rugged 300B? And is there any consensus at all on which current production tends to sound best? I have a deep distrust of Chinese power tubes, but perhaps I am just over-cautious.

I just got off the phone, posted on November 2, 2009 at 08:19:51
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 4845
Joined: February 9, 2002
 They say production (including the 300b) will start the first of next year.

The new plant will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
RE: I just got off the phone, posted on November 6, 2009 at 12:01:53
h00hbt
Audiophile

Posts: 211
Location: Earth
Joined: July 8, 2007
 Hey TreŽ!

Please tell me more about this, what you have heard.....

Cheers


/H
That would be nice!, posted on November 2, 2009 at 15:27:15
Skylab
Audiophile

Posts: 936
Location: Chicagoland
Joined: August 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 23, 2004
 Let's hope it comes to pass! I hated to see efforts like this and the TechTubes in the UK fail - what we need is MORE tube production, not less ;)
Rob

"Let there be songs, to fill the air"
RE: Western Electric 300B-gone for ever?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 05:24:04
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 570
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 I would say very likely they are gone. It has been very spotty for a long time now, several moves, most if not all the folks who knew how to make tubes are long gone, there are no signs of life.

But why worry? There are better 300B's out there. The EML 300B-XLS and the EML 300B mesh, for example.

"There are better tubes out there", posted on November 2, 2009 at 10:06:26
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 8435
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 I need to trade in my ears and/or brain for your model. I recently heard 3 sets of tubes (WE, EML "regulars", EML Mesh), and I found the WE was better at conveying the music as a whole than the other two in my SET system. The price difference is enormous, however, which is why I find it enviable that you prefer the EM models.
"What did the Romans ever do for us?"
RE: "There are better tubes out there", posted on November 2, 2009 at 12:19:14
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 570
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 Actually, just to make you crazy, the best 300B I have heard ever - by many miles - is the AVVT mesh.

You might give the EML 300B-XLS a shot. It's much better IMO than the regular EML 300B, and a toss up with the EML mesh (which seems to be a touch more relaxed, smoother on the edges, more organic - but not as three dimensional or extended).

That AN of yours is a great amp, seems like a good candidate for the XLS.

OK...Thanks. Nt, posted on November 3, 2009 at 00:45:43
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 8435
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 Nt
"What did the Romans ever do for us?"
RE: "There are better tubes out there", posted on November 2, 2009 at 17:15:06
Donald North
Manufacturer

Posts: 910
Joined: February 8, 2001
 How does the EML mesh compare with the AVVT mesh?

Donald North

RE: "There are better tubes out there", posted on November 2, 2009 at 17:23:18
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 570
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 Nowhere close. The AVVT mesh is in a class of it's own. The EML mesh has many of the same characteristics, but not the same level of magic. Still, the EML mesh is an outstanding tube.

RE: "There are better tubes out there", posted on November 2, 2009 at 13:42:03
Ed Sawyer
Audiophile

Posts: 2158
Joined: November 3, 2000
 I'll have to agree that AVVT 300bs are my favorite too. The solid plate are quite nice, came in a lot of varieties, and are more rugged than the mesh versions. All are fairly rare and pricey these days though.

_Ed
I have JJ 300B's, how do the EML compare?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:20:15
pretzel_logic
Audiophile

Posts: 1866
Location: NE Illinois
Joined: October 30, 2002
Contributor
  Since: February 10, 2009
 Obviously the EML are more expensive per pair. I have a 24 watt/channel push pull amp and have been thinking of trying something different. I'm not sure I could spring for the mesh but and it sounds like the XLS would be a better fit regardless. How are the Gold series?

Brian

RE: I have JJ 300B's, how do the EML compare?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:48:06
astralnavigator
Audiophile

Posts: 570
Location: North York, Ontario
Joined: June 28, 2009
 No comparison. The EML are leagues ahread, Much greater clarity and extension. A slightly euphonic midrange, and a three dimensionality that thev JJ' s can't touch. The standard EML 300B is good, but the XLS and mesh are much better. I have both, and they are each in their own way outstanding.

The only 300B that I have found to be better is the long extinct AVVT mesh, that requires lower plate voltage. That one is sheer magic.

Thanks for the info..., posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:54:00
pretzel_logic
Audiophile

Posts: 1866
Location: NE Illinois
Joined: October 30, 2002
Contributor
  Since: February 10, 2009
 I've been doing some tube rolling in all my components as well as other tweaks and just am not getting that magic I was hoping for. I'll have to check the specs on my amp but I'd like to give the XLS a try. A quad won't be cheap, do you have any suggestions on where to get them? Thanks,

Brian

RE: Western Electric 300B-gone for ever?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 08:58:52
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 251
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
 "There are better 300B's out there. The EML 300B-XLS and the EML 300B mesh, for example."

I fully agree.

I have heard both and can confirm neither. I hope not....nt, posted on November 2, 2009 at 01:06:49
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 8435
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 nt
"What did the Romans ever do for us?"
RE: Western Electric 300B-gone for ever?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 16:05:51
JLH
Audiophile

Posts: 639
Joined: June 25, 2000
 I like the Emissions Labs 300B-XLS as a good good replacement for the WE300B. It does require a little bit more filament current, but is cleaner in the mids and more solid in the bass than the WE300B.

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