Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

You're getting lots of views so the less intrepid tube geeks(me) wait to see how they work for you all over time before pulling the trigger:-) I need to try them now after following this thread.Right now the SS amp is in service for the summer, but will be ordering two come September. This thread has been great, very informative.

So I finally ordered and received today one Linlia high (shouldered) for the input of my Aric Audio Transcend PP.Very impressive! Delicate and refined was my first impression. The separation of instruments is a little better and the soundstage a little deeper,maybe because it's just quieter than the NOS GE.This is only after a couple of hours. I think the bass is deeper but that may just be the better refinement. If the mids become a tiny bit warmer over time I would be even happier.

Has anyone tried tube dampers on the shouldered tube?I tried a Herbies damper on the top of the tube - no change. Then the next day tried it on the bottom glass  just above the base.The vocals improved immensely and lost the hashiness that had begun to creep in after 30 hours of break in.But any background vocals,trailing notes,ambient sounds were over damped. So now I'm going to fool around with a either a larger Herbies damper that will fit on the larger body of the tube or O rings and try to get it just right. I really like the transparency and detail of this tube but can't live with the way it messed with the vocals.An example is Tony Joe White known for his rich baritone voice began taking on an unnatural unpleasant edge and sizzle. Just something to try for whomever is experiencing too much SS sound.

I'm using just the one tube for the input on the Aric Audio Transcend PP.It's possible I might like them better by placing them on either side of the input tube and going back to the GE on the input.

@aricaudio it's not exactly new,lol.I've had it for a few years now. It's the star of my system.I'll take both yours and danmar's advice and get another tube.I've already ordered a couple of larger size dampers to fool around with.Thanks for your help, and I'll let you all know how it goes.

@aricaudio no big deal. I don't have a very memorable moniker:-)

I do have a small update regarding using the Herbies dampers on the input tube. They usually don't have a positive effect IME.One exception was with a CJ preamp that I owned long ago,but it never hurts to try a cheap tweak just to see.I ordered some larger "C wires" for a couple of $ and slipped on three of the silicone thingys on two of them. What I ended up with was the small damper on the bottom on the glass where it meets the base,the next larger damper slid up from the bottom until it made firm contact, the next right above that maybe 1/4" + .Darned if it didn't work! The unpleasant edge to the vocals disappeared.Piano is still a little sharp on the higher notes but I can live with that.So now I'm getting all of the good things this tube brings - detail, refinement, nuance,really great bass.

I really can't swear the dampers are the ultimate fix.It absolutely could be that better isolation would do the same. I actually have a much sturdier hardwood rack on order now. At present the shelves are mdf with a metal frame. Nonetheless I really like this tube and will order another to break in and see how two used as the stage following the input works.

@markusthenaimnut  these are the best 6sn7 tubes I've tried so far,though I haven't experienced as many brands as some others here.Sylvanias(better than JJs have "soul" and nice tone,a good intro to NOS), GE( great mids and bass,but rolled off highs), Kenrad( similar to GEs), Sofia Blue(lush and beautiful tone that disappeared after break in!),JJs(crystal clear but no "soul").

This is specific to my room and system of course. GIK room treatments and three subs have a long way towards balancing and reducing room issues. The Zu Omen Defs purchased a year ago are also so sensitive that any change is clearly heard,which is both a blessing and a curse:-) The detail and nuance the Linlias bring are really addictive and and I don't want to go back. There's entire different layers in my favorite music that I was content with when they were hinted at and more blended in the background.

Yesterday I removed the smaller damper from the base and it seemed to be a small improvement.Either my imagination or it was a tiny bit over damped.I have another tube on the way to break in and then try one on either side of the input.Such a slow process....A huge thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread so far.

Quick and last update. A couple of days ago I gave up the sweet spot to my brother who was visiting for the day and wanted to spend some time listening. While seated off to the side the music was virtually close to perfect to me.Face Palm.I toed the speakers out an inch and a quarter attempting to get that same angle and voila.Never occurred to me to to make an adjustment like that to accommodate a vacuum tube,but it should have.

After trying several combinations of the three 6SN97s in my AricAudio Transcend PP amp,the combo that sounds the best to me is the Linlai HiFi black plate in the input along with a Psvane CV181 T MKll  on each side. Best of both worlds:-) with the clarity of the Linlai and the touch of warmth from the Psvane.Done with tube rolling for a long time.