@rodman99999 Tks. Glad to hear they are the same. These tubes are going to be plugged into my preamp. Not sure to have it at the gains or buffer stage yet. Tks for alerting on the testing part. Am new to tune rolling, so will be relying on my dealer to do the testing.
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@rodman99999 The dealer stated test scores for the KRs are103/100 and 104/100. I guess these scores are allright from the little that I know. Am not too familiar with these readings.
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@lowrider From what I have read, some do say black KRs have better bass. Great to hear these are outstanding tubes though. I recall you do have the Sylvanias too. Do you rate the KRs better? Tks for your impressions.
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@lowrider57 Think I will stick with the horizontal lettering Linlai Tubes. Based on impressions here it sounds pretty good even compared to the PSVanes as well as your review. And the price differential compared to the vertical lettering tubes is signifcant. The horizontal lettering tubes are $250 (no shipping cost as I can get it here) and vertical lettering tubes are $365 ( without shipping cost) based on my local currency. Interesting to know there are variations out there but as @rah50 has commented, dont think they are fakes. Based on how they are packaged and the TM or R indications, they seem to be both originals just catered to different markets.
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@lowrider57 Just hope the sound between the 2 is not too different ;)
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Hi All
I wish to seek your advise. Do the E 6sn7 Linlai tubes fit the sockets as in it is fully seated in the Schiit Freya+ without any gaps
I was excited and went to purchase the LinlaiE6sn7. Brought my Freya + amp along. But the salesperson could not fit the Linlais into the sockets fully. There was a slight gap between the socket and base of the tube, a little of the pins could be seen. This was only two tubes at the gain stage. The tubes were not fully seated on the sockets. I left the shop empty handed. Darn. Any one managed to fit the E Linlai 6sn7 fully into the Freya+ sockets? If you have, pl do let me know how as I really like these tubes. Thanks a lot.
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@dishawasha Tks for your impressions of the PSVane Uk 6sn7s. Guess it has a bright and clean signature and impressive in these aspects. Good that it works with your speakers well. My Klipsch speakers are slightly forward sounding. So adding the PSVane Uk 6sn7s maybe accentuate the brightness further. Was intending to pair the Uk PSVanes initially with my Linlais. But I believe given the sound signature of the PSVanes, maybe the current match of Sylvania GTBs and Linlais may be a better fit with my Klipsch speakers. Appreciate your feedback.
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Hi All
Came across this forum when I was researching about Linlai E 6sn7 tubes. There is not very much info on these tubes apart from this forum. I have gained good insights from your experiences. From the reviews thus far, the Linlais do seem like a good investment albeit with long hours of burn in.
I just bought a Schiit Freya +. It comes with stock JJ tubes. The tubes have still not broken in yet. With streaming, the sound is still a bit raw with sharp edges in the music. Bass is average, however the soundstage and clarity are pretty good. Its quite transparent. Some songs seem to have some siblance though.
My Freya runs into an XTZ A2-300 power amp. For streaming I use Node 2i. My CD player is a Marantz 7007. With my CD player, the sound seems too recessed, warmer but with a loss od details. Overall its not good at all. Total lack of bass. Strange cause the Marantz 7007 is quite a good unit. Streaming wise, the stock tubes sounds raw as explained. My speakers are Klipsch RP 6000f, very easy to drive and quite forward in its presentation.
I am considering the Linlai E 6sn7 for the gain stage of my Freya + and Sylvania GTA or GTB (blackbase chrome tops, green letterings ) for my buffer stage of the preamp. Do you think this will be a significant upgrade? Will the Linlais match Sylvanias? Or should I match the Linlais with my current JJ tubes. The third option is to wait for the stock JJ tubes to break in ( not sure what the sound signature of JJ tubes are after breaking in). Many of you have a lot of experience here and I really appreciate your views.
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@markusthenaimnut Thanks for your wise counsel. I doubt its speaker placement or twitter issues as I had a musical paradise 702 Mk 2 preamp before purchasing the freya+ and it did sound pretty decent. You are perhaps right. I just need to let the JJs burn in before investing other tubes. Maybe its just early now and the tubes need to be seasoned. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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@rah50 Thank you for the clarification. Helps clear the air. And tks for highlighting the socket savers you use. Have sent you a PM. Appreciate your feedback.
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@rah50 Hi Rah. Unfortunately my PM didnt go through I think. Do you own a Schiit Freya+ and if you do, may I know how you find the Linlais with Freya+. Any other tubes you match the Linlais with? Currently am using the Sylavania chrome top 6sn7 GTBs(yellow labels) along with the stock JJs. Plan to use the Linlais on gains and Sylvanias on buffer to get a better feel. The Sylvanias are being burnt in. They do sound good.
Plus points are slightly warmer tones- non fatiguing, great clarity, sweet and smooth highs, good holographic feel with some depth in midrange. Things can be improved at least in my system are the soundstage which is there but not as wide and bass which is fairly decent. Hoping with the burn in, it opens up more and hoping the Linlais will add to the sonic delivery along with the Sylvanias.
As for the socket savers you highlighted, do they fit well with the Freya + and Linlais, as it could be fully seated. I was concerned that adding another layer may affect sound quality but some of the respondents here feel otherwise. So am gonna experiment with sockets and am looking for a good one to get. Hope the ones you highlighted fits the bill. There is a black and gold version of these sockets I think with the gold ones being slightly pricier.
Thanks for your help. Appreciate it.
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@lowrider57 Thanks for the suggestion. You are spot on about the Sylvania GTBs. They do take off the edges off my speakers and my system's sharpness is not too forward in a good way. The imaging from the GTBs are pretty good too for its price point as you have shared; its detailed yet provides easy listening. Vocals involve the listener. However, soundstage width and bass are not its strong points, though decent. Now I need to experiment with the highly regarded Linlais:)
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@rah50 Hi Bob, thanks for the insightful impressions and congrats on your purchase. Well since you own a Freya + it helps getting some accurate feedback. I have been looking at these E Linlai 6sn7s and there have been really good postive responses on this forum and others. Only thing, most have said it requires 100 hours of burn in or so. Glad to hear at 35 hours you are seeing positive results. The PSVanes are no slouch either but I guess based on reviews and your experience, the Linlais edge it.
I like the the fact that the Linlais bring across better soundstage and better low ends (both quantity and quality) overall which is currently missing in my Sylvanias. Just to ask, do you find the Linlais transparent? Reason being my Sylvanias while detailed, give a slight warm feel which has helped tone down my Klipsch slightly bright presentation. So hoping for the Linlai- Sylvania combo not to be too warm.
Thanks for the info about the socket savers. And as you say, good to invest in a good set of tubes with the sockets as it could bring more benefits without. Now am gonna try the socket savers for the Linlais. Currently, am thinking of matching Sylvanias on the buffer with Linlais on the gain. And if the Linlais are gonna score really well, may just get quad Linlais for my Freya + like you have done. Schiit apparently recommends all quads being of the same tube make. So may go down that road.
Thanks for your insights and appreciate your views.
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@rah50 Thanks for your views. I feel reassured getting them now :)
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@lowrider57 By the way this Deoxit is meant for cleaning tube pins? Just swipe pins nd plastic base and put it in or do they need some time to dry? No issues with the sockets? Sorry, am new to this cleaning agent.
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@rah50 Tks for the confirmation!
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@lowrider57 On another note, am liking the Sylvania 6Sn7 GTBs as it is being burned in. Much better than the quad JJs though I only have a pair of GTBs at the gains with the JJs at the buffer. Really sounds good. Hoping to take it a notch higher matching it with the Linlais for starters.
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@lowrider57 Likewise Linlai non Global tubes sold here locally cost the same as yours -S$250 per pair. Well guess @danmar123 holds the key. :)
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@lowrider57 Thanks for the encouragement.
Now this recent thread is rather interesting. First, I realised I need to add socket savers to to fit the Linlais in my Freya+. And now there seems to be two different Linlai models? Gosh! These Linlais better be good. My local distributor here is offering the Linlais as pictured by @rocray (gift box) and the tube on the left he featured earlier in one of the pics shared.
My local dealer's Linlai photo link is here https://www.carousell.sg/p/linlai-e-6sn7-vacuum-tube-1082058805/photos/ ( Sorry dont know how to post pics here directly)
Now am confused. Are the Linlais posted in the link above, the Asian version or Western version. There are no Chinese Letterings on the tube. The logo is vertical at the base. It has R registered label on the tube. The box says its from a Chinese company with Chinese letterings and the insert has Chinese letterings as well exactly what @rocray gift box is. May I know what do I make of this? I hope they are not fake.
I am quite amazed how this forum is deeply observant and analytical. Never knew of the two variations in the Linlais. Some really good watchful expertise here. Am learning a lot. Thanks.
Appreciate your views.
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Just to build on the point @danmar123 made. Googled the difference between TM and Registered as displayed by different versions of the Linlais. This is what it says ( not a legal interpretation though)
What is the difference between TM and registered trademark?
TM denotes that you are claiming a right to use your brand as a trademark, although it may not yet be registered with the relevant IP office. (R) signifies that your trademark is officially registered with the IP office in the country and for the goods and services that you are using it for.
Not sure if this adds to greater clarity or confusion.
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@lowrider57 Tks for the confirmation. So these tubes are for the Asian market as they are not Linlai Global catered for the Western market? But you have been getting quality sound from these tubes right? So I guess it shouldnt be an issue. Another thing I notice is the price. The Linlai Global tube seems comparatively more expensive than non-Linlai Global, at least the ones am getting locally (the same tubes as yours).
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Just made by purchase for a pair of Linlais (non- global) tubes. Cant wait for it to arrive in 10 days or so.
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@danmar123 Good news! Let us know your impressions.
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@rocray Just curious how do you run your tubes for 14 hours straight? Doesnt your amp heat up considerably?
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@rocray Smart move. Tks for sharing.
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@pinwa You are right on that count. I agree as well. Tks for sharing your impressions. Glad it sounds great so far. Cool looking amp too. Possibly getting my non Global Linlais soon, hope by the end of the week. Looking forward to it.
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For good measure, I also got the Gotham 85025 power chord with gold pins to replace my stock power cord to my preamp. That requires some burn in too. Hope it all comes together well.
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My Linlais finally arrived. These are the non global ones with horizintal letterings on tubes. I have Linlais on the gains of my Schiit Freya + preamp and Sylvania GTBs on the buffer side. Just started playing songs over my Node 2i. It sounds a bit dark at the moment. Sound signture seems warm. Not as good as my previous combo with the Sylvanias on the gains and JJs on the buffer at the moment. Waiting for the Linlais to burn in for the sound to open up. Guess it will take some time.
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@rocray Thank you for the reassurance. Having read some of your comments here thats what I am going to do; having the Linlais go through a lengthy burn in before critical listening. 100 hours is a fair bit of time. I just gotta be patient before I enjoy the sonic quality these tubes seem to provide. Its indeed very encouraging to hear your impressions. By the way, my Linlai tubes are on amptata 8pin octal socket savers as you had suggested. Its the gold pin version - only way to get the Linlais fully plugged into my preamp.
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Anyone here tried the PSVane Uk 6sn7 Hifi Tubes as a match for the Linlais at buffer stage on the preamp. Am thinking of these tubes too, as an alternative to the Sylvanias. If you have used the PSVanes Uk version, really would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.
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@rocray Sorry a noob question. Did your tubes turn black at the bottom as you burnt it in? Mine does.
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@rocray Thanks. This helps. Was worried for a moment.
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@pindac Tks for sharing the detailed info! Rather insightful.
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@lowrider57 Sorry am now back to my confused state. When you spoke to Grant Fidelity about the Chinese 6sn7 session ( the ones with the horizontal letterings) did they say it wasnt originals or just a matter of distribution in Asian markets as we had discussed prior. Also do you have the Globals too ( the ones with vertical letterings) and if so, how do the Chinese 6sn7 Linlais compare to the Globals.
"I understand why they sound good in the Freya and Sachs preamps when used with a complimentary cathode follower." May I know what you mean by this? Err in layman terms please.
I have the Linlai E6sn7 Chinese version similar @rocray and I believe your initial purchase . Am still running it in. Dont even think I have got 30 hours on em. Sounds slightly richer but not the nirvana stage yet. Think I need to run in further. Have been pairing Linlais with Sylvania GTBs and JJs at the buffer stage at the moment. Sylvanias sound more smoother on the highs, refined, a liitle recessed better separation but less bass with the Linlais at the gains. Linlais with the JJs, its more forward, stronger imaging and heavier bass, but not as refined and smooth as well as soundstage wise is not as good as the Sylvanias. Linlais with the Sylvanias makes for more involving listening.
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@xcool Does the Chinese letterings the Linlai website is referring to is the words on the box. Cause I dont see any Chinese letterings on the tubes of any of the versions brought to attention so far.
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@lowrider57 Well if they didnt acknowledge, then its hard to tell. But the way its packaged, is quite identical to the Globals. My guess its manufactured for different markets.
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@xcool Tks for your thoughts. I was actually excited by these tubes, still am. But its somewhat disheartening to know there are various models out there and not a single authenticated piece which we all can chime on, considering they are relatively pricey. Well at the end of the day, its how these tubes sound. From my initial reading here, the ones with horizontal letterings seem to sound of quality, likewise the ones with vertical letterings, not sure which is better. But if it is of quality to start off with, than its a good investment either way. So am keeping my fingers crossed as I continue to burn in these tubes.
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@danmar123 I may have missed out on a thread. Do they sound different?
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@lowrider57 Tks for the clarification. Got that part on complimentary tubes. Well sorry the Chinese 6sn7s did not work out for you. @rocray and others have been seeing good results with the Chinese 6sn7s. Possibly in your case the match may not have been exactly right. Also a strange case of tubes sounding poorer after bedding in. Well looks like you have a great array of NOS tubes. So happy tube rolling!
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@hollykumi Hi . I own a Schiit Freya + as well. Just wish to ask what tubes you felt matched well with the amp in terms of sound quality from your perspective. My speakers are Klipsch 6000f RP by the way.
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After reading about how well the Ken Rad Vt 231s perform, am tempted to get these to match my Linlais at the buffer stage of my Freya +. These are 6sn7s. Again there are two variations, clear glass and black glass. Is there any difference between the two? I have someone selling the black glass KR vt231 6sn7 version locally. And overall will the Ken Rads be a signifcant upgrade from Sylvanias. As the KRs are a bit pricey, appreciate views from those who have experienced these tubes before I purchase. Thanks!
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@danmar123 Oh Great! Its cheaper here locally compared to US prices.
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Hi All thanks for your impressions. Looks like the Ken Rad black plate stands up to its reviews based on your impressions. @invalid @danmar123 @rodman99999 I am actually getting my KR black tubes locally here in Singapore. Just wish o check if the ones am planning to get in the link below are the same KR black glass NOS tubes you are referring ?
Thinking of replacing my Sylvania GTBs with the KRs along with my Linlai at buffer stage. The Sylvanias are pretty good but lacks a bit of bass which the KRs seem to have in abundance. Am still running my Linlais (non global ones) in the gains and if it doesnt measure up, then I plan to remove my Linlais at gains and combine the KRs with the Sylvanias.
Appreciate if you can help by letting me know if the KRs black glass in the link below are the right KRs am getting. Dont wish to get the wrong versions like the Linlais I purchased. You need to drag down the pic as its sold. But the dealer told me he still has stock. Guess its used. Thank you.
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@rodman99999 Tks for the link and details of looking out for hums. I have much to learn.
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