Favorite 300B: Sophia vs KR

That's the solid plate EML 300B, not the mesh plate.

Sakahara - Consider this source:

http://www.goodcomponent.com

Sakahara - I've read online that the 'grading' system is hype designed to inflate and justify the higher prices of the "A" tubes. Do a search in the AudioAsylum. If I am not mistaken, Michael Samra has gotten some tubes from GoodComponent and wrote that he thinks they are very good. You don't need a fancy box to listen to the tubes.

I am currently using the new Sophia Royal Princess 300B tubes in my Woo Audio WA5LE. Wow, what a tube. I have compared it to WE, Sophia Mesh, Sophia Carbonplate, Shuguang Treasure, and EML Mesh. It tops all of them. Yes, it is pricey. I think it is the best currently available.

Phaelon - The Sophia Electric website posts some helpful User Reviews/Feedback for each type of Princess. I agree with their assessments. Depending on your system and your musical tastes, a particular kind of 300B(mesh vs. carbon plate) may be used to better advantage than the other. The new Royal Princess somehow seems to magically combine the strengths of each kind of Princess - Mesh and Carbon.I say 'magically' because from outward appearances, the tube looks like a Carbon. Yet it has more of the air and extension of the Mesh, while keeping the dynamics and naturalness of the Carbon, with perhaps an intermediate seating position in the hall.
I've tried all the 300B tubes except EAT and this is the best for me.

Maxmad - Yes, that is correct. All meshplate tubes, as far as I know, including Sophias, are NOT drop-in replacements for solid plate 300B tubes. They require a decrease in dissipation, as stated on the jacmusic website. Yes, the Woo is designed to handle meshplate 300B tubes without over-driving them.

Phaelon - I'm glad you've found as much satisfaction in this tube as I have. I hope others do too.