Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

“I’m back to my reference uncolored Russian military tubes.”

Same here. After using the Linlai for a few weeks with about 100 plus hours, I am back to using the Russian tubes that were OEM in my phono stage when bought new. The Linlai sounded very detailed, but I felt as if I had a solid state sound versus a tube sound to me when using the Linlai 6SN7. I just could not get past this attribute with the Linlai when used in my system. Perhaps good for someone’s system lacking details. These were sourced from Viva. This has been an experiment for me. After all, this hobby is pretty much about experimenting until you get the right combination of ingredients which sounds right to you. 

@danmar123

I am with you there too. I am expecting a pair of the Linlai E 6SN7s tomorrow as well. Will see what they look like when I receive them. Based on comments so far, not to optimistic that they will in fact be the real Global Elite series as the Viva ones say Globe, not Global on the tube. 

What is Vivas tube return policy?

After reading the feedback here about the Linlai 6SN7 tubes, I ordered a pair for my Aesthetix Io Eclipse phono amp. I have used Tung Sols, EHs, and JJs. It will be interesting to hear how these sound in a phono amp. 

“Just contacted Viva Tubes & they informed me that, the 4 tubes I ordered will be individually boxed w/its test data. If anyone is curious.”

Does Viva tubes include test data for all tubes they mail out? I don’t recall if I had test data verified by any previous orders with Viva. The website says they do testing to within 5% of each tube pair. Seems reasonable. 
 

Which series of the 6SN7 did you order, E-6SN7 globe or regular 6SN7? 

Here you go: 

@lowrider57 

Yes, you are right. I just compared the Viva tubes with the Linlai website and they appear to be two different tubes. Hmm, something is not quite right for sure. Did you order any from Grant or Viva? The Viva web site says Globe and not Global as well which makes we wonder if I should have ordered from Grant. Any community  feedback from Grant Linlai 6SN7 tubes use, quality, etc. 

Grant Fidelity shows the Linlai 6SN7 Global Elite now sold out. 

@danmar123 

I just sent them an e-mail too. They are not taking calls: 

"Good morning,

I have a question after reading that Grant Fidelity was also selling the new Linlai E 6SN7 Global tubes. They look different and have different branding than the ones you are selling. Are the Linlai E 6SN7 that you sell the same tubes but have different batch manufacturing which makes them look different?  I want to ensure that I am receiving the new Linlai Global tubes as depicted in the manufacturer's site: Linlai™ Global Elite E-6SN7 Vacuum Tubes (pair) – LINLAI™ Global Vacuum Tubes (linlaiglobal.com)

If these are not the same tubes, then I would like to return them as I thought I was ordering the Global Linlai edition, and not the Globe version which you are selling. It seemed to me a little confusing because you sell these with the word Globe in the selling title, which I assumed also meant the new Global versions. If these are not the same, I would like to start the return process based on me ordering the wrong tubes. Thank you. 

I received my Viva purchased Linlai E 6SN7s and they look fantastic. They have a nice gold text label, the serial numbers inside the glass, and the insides look identical to Global and Grant Fidelity Linlai 6SN7s. Through conversation with Viva it is my understanding that the manufacturer has done a couple of in-production changes, therefore, some batches may look slightly different. I am installing these this weekend and will more than likely enjoy what I hear. I am keeping them. Enjoy. 

I am burning in the new Linlai E 6SN7s. These are in my Aesthetix Io phono stage. so far, so good. I am liking what I am hearing and what I am not hearing, bland, rolled off or muffled sounding, etc. 

I can’t say these are a night and day difference to the Russian 6SN7s that came from the factory but the soundstage and imaging are great and frequency response seems to be even handed, nothing bloated or exaggerated. Bass still feels deep and taught and midrange vocal resonance sounds extremely realistic. My impressions thus far are that they are a decent replacement. Perhaps I might experience more profound changes after some tube burn in. At the end of the day, if you are looking for a modern 6SN7 tube, this may be it. Now, that being stated, my system sounds superb as is with the tubes I am using and these tubes contribute to maintaining the same sound qualities I cherish. Can’t go wrong there. 

Does the Asian market like tipped up high frequencies? 

@ram18 

“May I check if the Linlais you were referring to as detailed are Linlai Globals with vertical letterings or Linlai E6sn7  with horizontal letterings as @lowrider57  has outlined. As you may have read in this chat, there are different impressions between these two tubes”

These are Linlai E-6SN7 Globe with horizontal lettering. These are the ones I purchased. Is there a difference in sound between these and the GF ones?