I am waiting on a new matched pair of Elrog 211 tubes and will continue to report my findings here.
I also own the Elrog 300B tubes but am not using them while breaking in my new Coincident Frankenstein MKIIs. Will eventually report back when I start using them. |
Elrog's agreeable approach to finding a workable solution for owners of the Coincident Frankensteins is commendable. |
I recently experienced a major failure with an Elrog 211 tube in my Coincident Dragons. I am starting to wonder about the reliability of Elrog tubes. |
Charles,
Earlier today I updated my System thread with where things currently stand on my long term plan to compare and contrast the Frankenstein MKII and Dragon MKII amplifiers. Stay tuned. |
Charles,
Does your MKII incarnation of the Frankensteins have both an HT fuse and a second AC fuse?
It is my understanding that the HT fuse is intended to protect the Frankensteins in the event the 300B tube fails.
I am curious whether the HT fuse blew when your 300B tube failed? |
I agree that George Lenz has been very helpful here in working toward a solution for those Frankenstein owners who would like to use the Elrog tubes. |
Today, over a six hour period, I measured voltages ranging from a low of 122.1 to a high of 123.3 on the dedicated lines in my listening room. My most current measurement was 123.2. I have a total of 5 dedicated duplex outlets feeding my listening room and the voltage measurements have been identical at each outlet. I also measured for stray voltage on ground and that tested at zero for each outlet. My utility company will not do anything to help me because my voltage is within 5% of 120 volts.
I own the Frankensteins and Takatsuki, Elrog, Sophia Royal Princess and Black Treasure 300B tubes.
I don't pretend to have the technical knowledge to participate in this conversation, but am I correct that I should not be using my Takatsuki tubes in the Frankensteins given my high voltage readings? |
This evening, from about 7:00 PM on my voltage has been fairly steady at 122.3.
The highest reading I observed all day was 123.3. |
Al,
Thank you for your continued contribution to this thread. I do not have a Data Sheet for the Takatsuki 300B tube, but I can share the test results for one of my matched pairs if that would be helpful.
For example, the plate volts Ep vdc test result was 300 for each tube; DC plate current lp mAdc was 73 and 73.1 for each tube; AC plate current lp mAac was 6 for each tube, Bias volts G1 vdc was 60 for each tube; Grid #1 leakage uA was 0.29 and 0.27 for each tube; Tube gain Mu was 3.6 for each tube; Plate resistance RP ohms was 0.6K for each tube. Do these numbers help? Is there another number I should look for?
Thanks again. |
I know very little about multimeters; mine is the Commercial Electric, Digital Multimeter, Model # MAS830B purchased at Home Depot.
Using the 200V measuring range, accuracy is listed as +/- 1.2% rdg +/- 10dgt. |
Here is a link to the Takatsuki 300B manufacturer's web page - https://www.takatsuki-denki.co.jp/products/ta-300b.html
Most of the information is in Japanese. |
Al,
This information comes from the Takatsuki Denki website for the Takatsuki 300B tube.
Type: directly heated triode vacuum tube
Filament voltage: 5V/1.2A
Maximum voltage: 450V
Maximum current: 100mA
Maximum consumption: 40W
Thank you. |
Thank you Al. Your feedback has been reassuring.
I have an electrician coming to my home within the next few days to inspect the electrical installation to and in my listening room. Hopefully, he can get a more accurate reading on my voltage fluctuations. The voltages I measured today were comparable to the voltages I measured yesterday; today's highest reading remained at 123.3.
I may decide to revisit the idea of utilizing power regeneration in my system. The Pure Power 3000+ is near the top of my list because it has considerably more operating headroom than the comparably priced PS Audio P10 Power Plant.
This thread has been an education for me. Individuals like you make this Forum a pleasure to visit. Thanks again. |
Audiofun,
The Reimyo PAT 777 is an incredible amplifier. I currently own Takatsuki and Elrog 300B tubes and in the past owned the AVVT tube, so I can not offer you a direct comparison. I am planning a long term comparison between the Takatsuki and the Elrog in my Coincident Frankensteins but am holding off doing so until my power issues are sorted out.
Although I have never heard the Reimyo in my system, on those occasions when I had the opportunity to hear it in a familiar system, it was always with NOS Western Electric 300B tubes. I recall that the Reimyo was designed around the WE 300B.
A comparison between NOS WE, Elrog, Takatsuki and the AVVT sounds like an enjoyable way to spend a few weeks. |
Brownsfan, in my opinion a quality 300B tube should last substantially longer than 6 months. Hopefully, the Elrog's failure did not damage your equipment. I was not so fortunate when my Elrog 211 tube failed causing considerable damage to my Coincident Dragon. |
Brownsfan, the current incarnation of the Frankensteins have an HT fuse that protects the Frankenstein in the event the 300B tube fails. If you have this version, your amplifier should not have been damaged by the Elrog's failure. |
My Elrog 211 tubes had substantially less than 75 total hours when they failed in one of my Coincident Dragon mono amplifiers. The Dragons are push pull amplifiers with each mono amplifier using two 211 tubes, one 300B as a driver tube and one 6EM7 as an input tube.
Not only was I out the two Elrog 211 tubes, but since the Dragons require a matched quad set of 211 tubes, I was effectively out four tubes, not to mention the damage done to the amplifier itself as well as to the other tubes in the amplifier.
I have since read reports by a number of users of Elrog's 845 tube also reporting reliability problems. |
Brownsfan, on the most current model the HT fuse is external. To be safe, I would ask a technician to evaluate your Frankenstein to make certain the tube's failure did not compromise your amplifier. |
All, I purchased my Takatsuki 300B tubes through Amtrans. Very prompt communication by e-mail; payment via PayPal and delivery within one week in very stout packaging.
I purchased my Elrog 300B tubes through George Lenz. George has always been terrific to work with. |
