2019 300B tubes that are worth the money?


OK, I'm not a super rich audiophile that has unlimited money to blow.  I have a pair of Cary 300 CAD300-SE monoblocks i bought used that currently have a pair of TJ/Full music tubes in them.  I am, overall, very happy with the sound.  So does anyone have a strong opinion that any of the $1000 a pair current production 300b tubes are really worth the money over my $300 pair?  Would my money be better spend on a needle upgrade for my turntable?  :-)
128x128argonsteele

Showing 3 responses by verdantaudio

I believe Sophia Tubes are made by TJ Fullmusic and years ago it may have been the case that the cherry picked. Now, Sophia has a bunch of products that are exclusive to Sophia that I can’t buy directly from TJ and no one else will have.  Sophia tubes are exceptional.  

I have reached out to TJ to make a purchase - the issue is you need to make a large purchase and I am waiting for my traffic for tubes to build before I commit to that much inventory.

I sell a decent number of Sophia tubes.  In that time, I have had one 274B fail.  It was under warranty and replaced within a few days.  The only thing they asked (KR and Emission Labs ask the same) is that the tube be returned so they can test it.  

I have had exactly one tube fail from each of the three companies I mostly sell (KR, Sophia and Emission Labs) and all three replacements occurred quickly and without issue.  

I have not seen Sophia have a higher failure rate than the European counterparts but, I also have never sold any of the tubes that they used to source from TJ Full Music.  They have shifted suppliers and I believe the net result is a much lower failure rate.