Phaelon,
You `re so right. My amp`s builder Israel Blume says the driver tube selection is critical to the output tube`s performance.He picked the 6EM7 specifically for it`s high current drive capacity(this driver tube can put out 2 watts of power on it`s own per Israel). |
Antigrunge,
You make a good point(regarding what the market will bear).I`ll say this, at least in this case Takatsuki came through with a product that lives up to the high cost.
So often this is`nt the case(particularly high end audio).Every time I listen to my music(very often) I realize this tube was worth it. You could easily spend the cost of these(or far more) tubes on cables/cords and maybe or maybe not get this level of improvement.
Alternatives? theRP will get you close for 1200.00 USD.
Old stock W.E. 2500 AND upwards(may be better? or just different) but no warranty (Takatsuki has a 2 year warranty).Some less expensive tubes sound good but won`t compete at this level.
I assume most folks interested in this thread and own 300b amps fall deep into the pure natural sound-music lover camp(like me). If that`s true then if you want maximun performance from your amplifier this is certainly money(a lot)well spent.Fortunately 300b tubes(in general) have considerable longevity.
Regards, |
Markus, After my very first session with these tubes I wrote Israel Blume and said that he really should find a way to hear the Takatsuki in his(pride and joy creation) Frankenstein amplifier.I know he`s quite fond of the Black Treasure(for good reason). I tried to express to him how much better the Takatsuki is.He said he`d check into them. I hope he does and was`nt just being polite with his response to me.As you said in an earlier post the change is profound.
Regards, |
Gwalt,
Your plan makes sense to me. The builder of my amp designed the circuit to be as he says "very easy" on the 300b tubes to greatly extend their lifespan. He alo used large over-speced transformers. Even when the amps are on 12-16 hours the transformers are warm but never hot to touch at all.
I hope the fans work out for you. |
Hello Maxmad,
I wonder if the Coincident and Cary amplifiers differ enough to cause a difference of opinion with various tubes. Or could it simply be our different pair of ears? The RP did`nt impress you much yet I found them to be top tier in the 300b hierarchy. If they do improve as Phaelon has discovered then they are one of the very best 300b available IMO. I know longevity is amp depedent but 300b tubes last quite a while(perhaps 5000-8000 hours or more).
Opinions are all over the map when you read different forums concerning tubes.Someone will say the 'old stock' W.E. is superior to the EML, then another will resopond and state "in my amp the EML was clearly better than the old W.E." This goes on and on, with the number of variables involved it`s no surprise. For example, many people love the 'reissue' W.E. 300b but it was quite a disappointment in my amplifier. In your Cary amp or to your ears this tube may be great. At the end of the day it is pure subjectivity just as Phaelon pointed out.
Regards, |
Western Electric would usally say 'up' to 40000 hours with the old stock versions. I`ve seen a number of post where owners have used their 300b tubes(various brands) for 8-10 years and they still tested strong.Specifically regarding the RP and Takatsuki I don`t know. |
Gwalt don`t know that the 40,000 hour claim by AVVT and W.E. is true or not. What are you really buying with these 'old stock' tubes that still test well? you won`t ever really know their true history of use. It`s a risk some are willing to take at ultra high prices(W.E.). I`d rather go with a new RP or Takatsuki with a warranty but of course to each their own.
Maxmad, you raise an interesting point. There are 'some' tubes that test weak yet sound good.Tubes can be a fasncinting mystery. |
Auntjenof2,
The RP in the Frankenstein is`nt remotely 'hifi' at all.Both will provide beautiful organic warmth that`s utterly natural. Neither tube will provide an over emphasized(colored) warm character,just pure and natural tone-body.If you want added lush and warm presentation, the RP and Takatasuki will disappoint you. I `ve no comment on the Psvane W.E. replica. |
Auntjenof2,
Congratulations with this new custom amplifier. This is why no component(regardless of price or reputation) can be called the 'best'.Personally I`ve yet to hear an amplifier that I`d prefer over my Frankenstein(so far). The addition of the Takatsuki tubes just sealed the deal for me. But there are without question very talented amp builders out there(thank goodness) and there`ll always be great/better/different choices to be made. I wish you the very best.
Regards, |
What`s class A3 and why is it unique/different from traditional class A? |
Clio09,
Thanks for the explanation. Low noise floor is one of the strengths of the Frankenstein. Just for fun I `d like to hear the Franks/Takatsuki (rather than with the Psvane Treasure 300b) compared to your new amp. I say this knowing the vast superiority the Takatsuki provided when I switched tubes(bass,clarity,seperation etc. as these were the same improvements cited by Auntjenof2 with the new amp). Your amplifier sounds like it could be a really great product. Does the increase voltage and power rating affect tube longevity? Thanks again Clio09.The more choices in high quality low power amps available the better IMO. |
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Hi 24h365,
I compared the TRL Dude and the Coincident Statement Linestage on my system page in mid-december 2011.The Dude lived up to the hype and praise it has gotten.For its price it`s hard to go wrong. Ultimately I found the Coincident better yet, it was more open,transparent,refined and nuanced etc. Both are exceptionally dynamic,large in scale and authoritative.The Coincident simply disappears more(lower noise floor) and has no perceptible veil at all (just lacks any signature IMO). YMMV.
Regards, |
24H365,
Just for a scale of 'relative' comparison the differences between the two linestages were noticeable but not at all night and day. The insertion of the Takatsuki tubes were by comparison profound. The Frrankenstein-Takasuki is simply 'it' for me at this time, just captivating involement. |
Hi Markus,
Have you formed an impression with the VAC REN 30/30 and your Back Treasure tubes? |
Thanks Markus, better safe than sorry. |
Maxmad,
I realized that this thread has been inactive for a while, but oh well.Are you still using AVVT in your Cary amp? I've been using the AVVT 32b SL for the last several weeks and honestly, this is a wonderful 300b. We have different amplifiers so just interested in your impressions. One of my Takatsukis failed (extremely rare per the company with 1, 000 pairs sold so far).Amtrans has been responsive and is sending a replacement pair under their warranty.
I really look forward to comparing the Takatsuki with the AVVT 32b SL.Physically these two 300b look nothing alike and very likely use different construction and materials. Yet both are clearly successful sonically.
According to Jac (Jac Music Germany) this model AVVT has a 40, 000 hour lifespan! |
Hi max,
I've been using the AVVT SL 32b very regularly and must say it is a superb sounding tube in my amplifier. I will return to the Takasuki and then post my impressions.There won't be a loser IMO just different attributes they offer.
Regards, |
Hi Max,
I posted my tube comparison on my system page tonight.
Charles, |
Gary,
I don`t believe this is universally true for the 300b.I have EML,AVVT,Shuguang BT and Takatsuki and none of these came with this type of warning/limitation of playing time.
I`ve used them with the amplifier on morning to night without any problems. Sophia Electric may have their own chosen restrictions.
Charles, |
Onemug,
Good points, I wouldn't advise anyone to use their output tubes 24/7.I do have my amps on 8-12 hours on some days and have had no problems. The 300b is long lasting if not pushed hard by circuit design as you noted.
Regards, |
Hi Ian,
Good question,
Takatsuki=95
AVVT 32SL and EML XLS = 90
Shuguang BT=80 still a solidly good tube but for me not to the level of the current production EML XLS.
Sophia RP, been quite awhile but it was very good in the Frankenstein(I`d need to hear it again). This tube has a different character compared to the two european 300b tubes.The RP could be a "touch" better but a very close call. I honestly feel there`d be an amp to amp variation,favoring one over the other.
Charles, |
