Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

These are so confusing.

I know some people are saying the Global and Elite are different. 
 

seems like the first ones people were using were just the “Elite” and they loved them. Not sure which ones to buy, what a mess. 

Also just to throw another wrench into all of this.......

Here is an example of a vertical Linlai with the wrong "base" bought from Grant.  I thought the ones with this base were only the E-6SN7 non Global's? 

I think Linlai is screwing us.

That HAS to be the truth!!!! ;) ;)

The Uniqueness of [LINLAI™ Global] Tubes:

Tubes bearing [LINLAI™ Global] logo are engineered, produced and carefully screened to exclusively meet western music listeners’ preference:

1) Aim to high degree of faithful reproduction of western music instruments, such as piano, acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic and electric bass / double bass, kick drums etc, which are common in western recordings but not as common in Asian music;

2) Create live-like sound image width and depth, and offer realistic balance across high, mid and bass frequencies, without exaggerating the ultra high frequencies (much of Asian music does focus more ultra high’s and Asian audiophiles are accustomed to such a type of sound).

LINLAI™ Tubes sold to vendors in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are tuned, produced and screened to meet Asian audiophile’s listening habits and preferences. They bear a different domestic logo – which is written in Chinese language. Such tubes will NOT have warranty from [Linlai™ Global] to buyers from outside of above-mentioned Asian regions.

Linlai™ Factory recommends all overseas buyers to purchase with factory authorized vendors for your region, in order to validate your purchase warranty and avoid unnecessary financial losses.

@evank What I am saying is that I posted a link to the vertical print, from Grant, tube that has the same base as the non "global elite" tube.  That's always been the point that people tried to make that the ones direct from Linlai and from Grant had a different base and different print, so they had to be different.

I think Linlai knows that you can get the same tubes from unauthorized distributors (people who sell it for a normal markup) and they are upset because they have a hell of a markup for the US market.

I'm guessing you are getting the exact same tube but they put a different print on the glass for the US market so they can control pricing.

Very true, the problem is they are double the price, that's a lot to pay for an assumption.  At least each pair comes with supposed "test certificates"

Who knows.......

invalid

820 posts

02-04-2023 at 09:41am 

The only two advantages I see in buying the global elite tubes instead of the elite tubes directly from China is they might be better matched and if you receive a bad tube you don't have to ship it back to China for a replacement. The whole tube matching thing can be problematic because nobody is matching these tubes at the parameters that they will be used in a piece of audio equipment.

That's good to hear, where did you get them?  From reading this thread I was under the impression that the Global Elite from Linlai and Grant had a different base, the ones in the pictures on their sites.

I think that tells me that the only difference between the cheaper versions straight from China and the ones from Linlai is that you might get a better version that's been screened.......but who knows.

evank

181 posts

02-04-2023 at 10:36am 

@blkwrxwgn 

 

Mine is the same that you linked from USAM

Thank you @pinwa I was thinking of getting a quad for my SLP-05, I think I'll go ahead and do it.

pinwa

140 posts

02-05-2023 at 01:27am 

I have purchased 8 LinLai E-6SN7 tubes from various vendors on Aliexpress.  Most recently I took advantage of a special and got a matched quad for $250.  Other than the labeling I am convinced that these are identical to the Grant Fidelity tubes.  Perhaps there is additional testing but it is ridiculous to think they are making a different tube for the Western market.  BTW, the E-6SN7's have performed admirably in every amp I have put them in and currently they are driving my Cary SLP-05 preamp.  I like them better than any of the NOS tubes I have tried.

@pinwa good to hear.  I've only had the stock EH tubes, which were way to bright for me.  Then tried some JJ's, not bad actually but not great, then Sylvania VT231, which I have liked quite a bit.  Tried a combo of JJ in 1, 4, and Sylvania 7N7 in 2,3,5,6 and have liked this so far.

Just bought a quad of the E-6SN7 from China and will see how those do in 1,2,4,5, if I like them I'll buy them for 3 and 6 since I do use my dac with XLR but it also has RCA so I can still test it without getting all 6 tubes at once.

@pinwa had great luck mixing them up, I was surprised. But yeah those stock tubes are horrible. I think people sell them with the stock tubes because they never used them. 

Same here. Added two to my Cary preamp and just the two for the balanced output and noticed an immediate change. Nice airy highs and separation. 
 

ordered a quad that will arrive Monday and will have all 6 tubes be the Linlai. Excited. 

Been leaving my preamp on for the past few days as these are pretty dark at first as everyone has said. Looking forward to them burning in a bit.