I have used EML 45 (solid plate) and 2a3 and Shungang Black Treasure 300b with no reliability problems. Not sure how the EML 45/2a3 experience would translate into a 300b (especially a mesh plate 300b), however. I am very happy with the Black Treasure 300b from the standpoint of reliability and sound; in fact, these were the tubes recommended by my amplifier designer. |
Sometimes Grant Fidelity has sales on the Treasure tubes, even type A. |
Another reputable sourch of EML tubes is http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/ |
Pretty amazing price. It would make it the most expensive 300b in current production. |
There is also a new offering from Psvane that they claim is a WE-300b clone
http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/store/products/psvane-we300b-11-replica/ |
Interesting, to say the least. I was happy with the Shuguang Black Treasures until I decided to try the Royal Princess. No comparison. I usually read reviews with skepticism. However, in this case, Jeff Day was absolutely right. The Royal Princess give up nothing in terms of sonics and added a liquidity and musicality that were missing in the Black Treasures. Two caveats about the Royal Princess: (1) My first pair drew a high current - 68mA - and tripped my amplifier's protective circuit. Richard Wu willingly swapped them for ones that draw 41mA. (2) They generate a bit more heat than the Black Treasures. (BTW. . .Sophia Electric was a pleasure to deal with.) I have a pair of Takatsuki TA-300b on order. . . an expensive was to satisfy curiosity. The rave report of the Takatsukis that was syndicated in Six Moons used an amplifier made by the same manufacturer as my 300b SET. |
Charles1dad: The pair of Takatsuki TA-300b are coming from Japan. Not sure when they will arrive. I ordered them from Amtrans in Tokyo (http://www.amtrans.co.jp). They are a bit more expensive than the Royal Princess - 100,000 yen.
My CDP and amplifier are made in Krakow, Poland . . . so I know of the Krakow Sonic Society; and as I mentioned, the amp and CDP used to evaluate the Takatsukis are the top of the line from the same company. |
My Takatsukis were delivered late yesterday. I will be able to compare them this weekend. I agree, it would be great to have all three "pretenders" to the WE300b throne in one place at one time for a three-way comparison. . . preferably with a Western Electric pair as well. However, it would be a bit expensive and unlikely. More than that, I suspect that each of us might come to a different conclusion depending on system, listening preferences, etc. Personally, I would be happy to find ones that I like a lot and stop there. |
I am afraid that I am going to disappoint all of you.
The backstory: My amplifier contains a protective circuit. My first pair of Royal Princess 300b tripped the protective circuit after about 30-45 minutes. The folks at Sophia Electric asked me to bring in the Shuguang Black Treasures that I was using "successfully" as well as the Royal Princess 300b that tripped the protective circuit. The Shuguangs drew 41mA; the Royal Princess drew 68mA - these were then swapped for a pair of Royal Princess that drew 41mA and that have been working fine ever since.
Yesterday, I inserted the Takatsuki TA-300; and after 30-45 minutes, they also tripped the protective circuit - just like the first pair of Royal Princess. When I looked at the measurements that came with the tubes, their current was also listed as 68mA.
So. . . I only was able to listen for a short while before the amplified shut down. But with the caveats that I listened to a brand new pair and only for a short time, my impression was that the TA-300b were at least as good at the Royal Princess and probably better. . . smoother, more musical, more holographic. That is as good as I am going to be able to do. Sorry to disappoint, but I am even more disappointed.
Where do I go from here? First, I asked the Japanese company whether there were any TA-300b tubes that drew less current. The Western Electric standard was 60mA, and the listed standard for the TA-300b was 65mA. Knowing the Japanese mania for adhering to standards, I got the expected reply "Even In Western Electric'300B there are almost plus minus a few 10mA's tolerance. Takatsuki's Ip tolerance is strictly regulated than WE and also the deviation on matched pair must be very narrow, that means superior matched pair. You don't worry about the specification and quality on Takatsuki's 300B." In other words, no. A second possibility is to send the amplifier back to the designer to have him change the protective circuit; it seems that he miscalculated considering that the two sets of tubes that tripped the protective circuit were close to the WE 300b standard. Unfortunately, Jarek is in Krakow, Poland; and I am in Washington, DC.
The conclusion. . . Is anyone interested in an almost new (less than 1hr use) pair of Takatsuki TA-300b? Unless I hear something different from the distributor in Japan, the likely future is to list them on Audiogon. Sigh. |
The cost is 51,000 yen per tube. With 8,000 yen for shipping, the total comes to 110,000. The only variability is the exchange rate. Right now the dollar is trending stronger against the yen than a month ago. I have found that Amtrans was very responsive; they worked with the factory to identify a pair with a low plate current that would be compatible with my amplifier. Just sometime it takes them a day or two to answer an email. While the invoice says "The delivery would be done over 3 weeks," each of the two pair that I purchased arrived in 2 or 3 days.
The US Distributor - Axiss Audio (also the distributor for Air Tight) - sells a pair for 1800USD plus shipping and handling. |
I have a pair of new EATs that I am not using. |
I hope to visit Amtrans in July with someone who speaks Japanese. Even if there are sonic improvements, I am not sure that I would be able to tell. Perhaps they are predicting better longevity? |
I must echo the comments of Charles and GWalt - although I do not have their analytic ability. First, my SET amplifier is made by the same company that made the PSET amplifier used in the HiFidelity of Poland review. Second, I listen mostly to classical (from soloist and chamber to full orchestra and chorus), jazz, and female vocals and only occasionally to classic rock. Both the Sophia RPs and the Takatsukis better the Shuguang BT by a lot. Comparing the RPs and the Takatsukis, however, shows the latter to be a bit more refined and to have an eerie liquidity to the overall sound. The RPs were a bit more bold and in-your-face. In my amplifier and with the music that I prefer. . . the difference was a bit more than the 97 to 95 points suggested by Charles. At the same price, I would buy the Takatsukis. Amtrans was a pleasure; the tubes arrived in a matter of days. However, Paypal charges a premium for the yen to dollar conversion; and the new price of the Takatsukis will be 140,000 yen . . . or 1680USD bumped up to 1730USD by Paypal. Conversely, the RPs can sometimes be found listed on Audiogon. Finally, it will be interesting to hear the WE tribute tube made by Psvane and sold by Grant Fidelity. |
True to their word, the new Takatsuki TA-300b prices are posted as either 133,400 or 140,070 yen. It is hard to figure out the improvements; but using Google translate of a press release, there seem to be improvements in quality control and tolerances. |
Simmo: Amtrans and Sun Audio are near each other. If you do not mind my asking, what price did you pay for the TA-300b pair? |
Another alternative that no one has mentioned is the Psvane WE Tribute 300b that is sold by Grant Fidelity. They are supposed to be a clone. |
Does anyone know the expected lifespan of a 300b? Is it the same for the RP and the Takatsuki? |
Not sure that I understand how "tubes can still test strong after many hours (5000 plus) but loose their life in sound. .. " |
Did Amtrans give an explanation?
The US importer is
Axiss Audio
17800 South Main Street, Suite 109
Gardena, CA 90248
Tel. (310) 329-0187 |
I used the Sophia Electric RP 300b for several months before getting the Takatsukis. I did not have any issues, but I did not use them hard or very long. |
Is this true of all 300b? Or only Sophias? |
