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Best 845 tube out there?

I am running a pair of Cary CAD-211AE monoblocks with the standard no-name Chinese tubes shipped by Cary. Whilst I am happy with the sound, I think I should buy a pair of 845's to keep as backup in case something happens to these tubes.

Because I will need to buy FOUR of them, this rules out any tube that sells for stupid money (e.g. vintage RCA 845 tubes).

The only current production 845's I am aware of are:

- Shuguang 845 "standard"
- Shuguang 845B
- Shuguang 845C
- Shuguang PSVANE 845
- KR Audio 845

I have found reviews of the Shuguang 845B and 845C, but there is virtually no information out there on the new Shuguang "psvane" 845. Has anybody heard this valve, and is it a noticable improvement over the 845B and C? Also, what do people think of the KR?
amfibius
ecll80's avatar
ecll80
10 posts
 
I will come back at the end of the week and tell you if some changes are observed. It should obviously, but will it change in the good direction? we'll see. 
Parsons, I indeed have Sorbothane pads under the amp. 
I would like to say that so far what I hear is not an evolution of the 845B, but rather a different family sound and signature. 
More to come...
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ecll80's avatar
ecll80
10 posts
 
After 100 hours of burning I can confirm that I like the WE845 Shuguang better than the 845B, despite the non-consistent construction of WE845 (internal is not as solid and fine built as the 845B, one on my 2 tubes is even weird to look at inside).
So I made another direct comparison by exchanging the tubes and warming them up at least 30 min before listening. 
The WE845 definitely brings more flesh, more tri-dimension soundstage, and punch as well (although this is not what I was looking for). The main thing is the midrange much thicker and "material" than the 845B.
I wish Shuguang could be more serious about the construction of these tubes, whether they are imported directly from China or from TAD, the few guys I know from other forums had the same surprise to see the weird internal assembly of those tubes, sometimes even broken.

rdschicago
33 posts
 
Reviving this excellent thread. I just got MasterSound PF100 845 monoblocks which take eight 845 tubes. They came with basic Shuguangs and I was thinking about upgrading. Elrogs, considering I need eight, are too expensive. Has anyone tried LinLai? The Elite E-845’s are supposed to compare favorable to the ACME for a few hundred less per pair, which when you’re buying eight can save one a bundle. Would love your thoughts, particularly if anyone has experience with MasterSound amps. Thanks. 
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
LinLai are a New Company, which is reported to have a proportion of a Human Resource that were used in other more common known Valve Production Facilities.

I have been looking into LinLai for a while, as I will one day be exchanging 4 x 845's.
A search will discover user reviews, there are seemingly good reports on the Warranty Offered.

New user review info might be available as I have not looked for quite a few weeks.

Keeping this Thread ongoing is very Valuable and reviving it, IMO,  is always welcome.    
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