Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

I've been following this thread, and particularly the discussions about where to buy them and differences between sources, with some interest.  I wanted to share my experience.  I bought a set of LinLai E-6SN7 tubes off ebay from seller atop_authentic_auctions.  I choose him because of the low price and 30 day return policy with seller paying for returns.  I ordered on May 31st and tubes came today.  As you can see from the pictures in the link below the tubes were very well packaged and I was particularly impressed by the corner protectors on the box.  Logo is horizontal and doesn't say "Global".  There is a metal plaque inside the tube with the details and serial number.  Tubes came with test scores and were closely matched.  I've had them running for less than an hour but they are silent and sound great so far.  I have not compared them the the Sophia Electric Blue Glass that I had in my Aric 300B amp before but first impression is they certainly aren't any worse and may be significantly better.  I'll do comparison testing after the tubes have burned in for 25-30 hours.

Based on my limited experience so far I would say all of the concern over "Global" branded tubes versus tubes not branded for the overpriced export market is probably misplaced.

https://imgbox.com/gallery/edit/vloWX2Wqf7/2NEwUfO8q0dEOHeR

All of this back and forth about whether or not the tubes without the Global branding are counterfeit or in some way inferior seems kind of nuts to me.  The simplest and most likely explanation is that the tubes are in fact identical, exactly as they appear to be, and they are simply branded differently for different markets.  The Global branding is a deliberate attempt to sow confusion in Western markets so that 1) distributors are willing to invest in distributing them and 2) they can sell at a higher price.

NOS tubes are exactly the same with many Sylvania and GE tubes etc. etc. selling under many brand names for exactly the same tube.

Perhaps Grant Fidelity adds a separate testing step but the idea that they are getting superior tubes seems ridiculous.  If it helps you sleep at night and you are willing to pay more then buy from them.  Or assume the risk of a more difficult  return and buy from an eBay or Aliexpress seller.  But the idea that tubes that are internally identical but have different lettering are functionally different seems ludicrous.

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.

@borisj the store name is Hi-end Tubeaudio Store.  They have periodic sales.  The quad currently is $298.

@blkwrxwgn I liked the LinLai E-6SN7's in my SLP-05 better than the Sylvania, Raytheon VT-231, Foton 1960's, or new production TungSol 6SN7's that I tried.  The LinLai's don't color the music the way some of the other tubes do but still somehow make it sound better.  But everybody has different tastes and it wouldn't surprise me to find a sophisticated listener with a different preference.  I also liked the LinLai E-6SN7's best in my Aric Audio Super 300B SET amp.  

@blkwrxwgn I bought my SLP-05 used and it came with the stock EH tubes.  Maybe they were worn out but I really disliked them.  Actually thought about selling the SLP-05 until I changed them out.

It has never been clear to me if you need to have a matched quad in 1,2,4,5 or if you can have one type in 1,4 and another type in 2,5.  It sounds like you had good results mixing them?