Just made by purchase for a pair of Linlais (non- global) tubes. Cant wait for it to arrive in 10 days or so.

Back in stock!

Product Linlai Global Elite E-6SN7 vacuum tubes (pair or single) - Factory QC Passed - Pair - for Driver Stage (E6SN7-pair-QC) is back in stock. Thanks for your patience and finally the wait is over! Your Subscribed Product Linlai Global Elite E-6SN7 vacuum tubes (pair or single) - Factory QC Passed - Pair - for Driver Stage (E6SN7-pair-QC) is now back in stock! We only have a limited amount of stock, and this email is not a guarantee you’ll get one, so hurry to be one of the lucky shoppers who do Add this product Linlai Global Elite E-6SN7 vacuum tubes (pair or single) - Factory QC Passed - Pair - for Driver Stage (E6SN7-pair-QC) directly to your cart https://premiumvacuumtubes.com/product/linlai-global-e-6sn7-vacuum-tubes-pair-or-single/?attribute_select-purchase-option=Factory+QC+Passed+-+Pair+-+for+Driver+Stage&variation_id=8684&add-to-cart=8682 I already purchased my quad from Linlai of China. They forwarded my sale to North America distributer. G/F? I hope they go out tomorrow.....

@danmar123  Good news! Let us know your impressions.

I received an email from the Postal Office stating; my tubes will be here on Fri.

That’s great news @danmar123.  I'm really curious about your impressions.  I’ve got about 50 hrs on the new pair.  They are definitely starting to fill in.  I’m running them about 14 or so hours a day, minus last weekend.  

Great news Ray. I plan to connect the Don Sachs to my Pioneer for 24 hr break in, with spiritic changes to My Prima Luna. I should have made a deal with @bugredmachine for his tubes.   

@rocray  Just curious how do you run your tubes for 14 hours straight? Doesnt  your amp heat up considerably? 

Hi @ram18,

 I keep the ceiling fan on,and I have a small computer fan I have aimed at the amp. It keeps the heat under control. 
    Ray 

@rocray   Smart move. Tks for sharing.

I've been running my Linlai elite tubes 24 hours a day since the 11th of may, except during a few thunderstorms. They don't get that hot in a preamp.

It's hard to tell the players without a scorecard. Can somebody remind me who's got the Global E-6SN7 and can we expect a comparison vs. the Chinese E-6SN7? 

@lowrider57

I’m awaiting mine that I ordered from China, but the kick is, they’re coming from Grant Fidelity. I did order the Global Elite, so we’ll see what I get when they arrive on Fri.

@danmar123 

I remember, they were out of stock. Wasn't your initial order from the Linlai website?

Don Sachs is full of manure saying chinese tubes simply walk away from the holy grail NOS 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

@pinwa

Thanks for chiming in. You can see how confusing this has been and it took some collaboration to figure things out. I agree with you, is the SQ of the Globals really worth the increased cost? But, after all the research we’ve done here, I’m dying to find out.

@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.

@lowrider57 ;

Yes. I ordered my 4 GLOBAL tubes from LINLAI’s web site & if you recall they said, NO outbound shipping from China, due to the virus, so they sent my order to an oversea distributer. ’’Grant Fidelity’’ Now being that I didn’t make a deal with @bugredmachine for to keep those tubes. I don’t have a set to compare, but I did hear a change in sound in my system. I’m going to post picture’s when they come today. After the initial evaluation, I’m going to hook up my Don Sachs to my Pioneer 1280 to burn in for 24/4. That should bring them up to 100 hrs.

Dan

Here's a crazy idea, perhaps an owner of a Don Sachs preamp could contact him and ask if he's compared the Linlai Globals with the E-6SN7 Chinese domestic. After his Shunguang supplier closed, he must have auditioned several types of tubes.

Tubes came today, they are Global.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/WDbXLG3

Sorry for the delay, I'm just seeing this now. So far, I've only used the Linlai Elite 6SN7s without the "Global" silk-screening on them, and I've received 5 pair so far and not had any issues with any of them, and they have all sounded the same. All have had a metal plate internally with a serial number engraved on it. I hope this helps, Aric

@aricaudio 

Thanks for the reply. I have the same tubes as you, excellent sound and build-quality. It seems like Linlai isn't trying to control their international distribution, there are many vendors selling the E-6SN7 (non global). Makes me wonder if there really is a difference in SQ between tube types. 

My packaging is identical to the tubes @pinwa received. I wonder if Linlai sells more tubes, having two different types of silk screening?  On a side note,my new pair are burning in nicely. They are definitely becoming more liquidy. New word? 
 
    I now have two pair,purchased 3 months apart,and they look identical,and the new pair is definitely developing the attributes that made me like the first pair. 

Has anyone tried these in a VAC tube amp? I have their 200 IQ and wondering if they would fit and work.  Thanks.

Their @ the 22hr mark & the tubes are coming to life.

From pictures on the web it looks like you have enough room between tubes on the vac 200 IQ amplifier.

I use a pair in my tubed CD player and they sound great. They replaced a pair of NOS Brimar CV-181 that cost over 3x as much.

I've been watching thread with interest. I wonder if those of you who've purchased these tubes can address a few questions. 

As far as I can tell, only Grant Fidelity is selling tubes in two ranges - the "top 10% ultra low noise" and the "factory QC passed, driver quality". Has anyone compared these two ranges?

This raises the question what are people getting when they purchase from the other sellers mentioned on this thread? My sense is there's no free lunch and the lower price tubes that are being sold might be equivalent to the Grant Fidelity's "factory QC passed" tubes. It sounds like everybody who's buying these tubes is liking/loving them pretty well. Maybe the "top 10% ultra low noise" is not a requirement for these tubes to sound good. What do you think?

Also, has anyone who has purchased these tubes tested them and compared your results to those small sheets/reports you receive with the tubes? I'm sure the results won't be the same, but you might at least be able to see how closely the two sections match.

Another piece of information that would be helpful would be to hear what kind of circuit you're putting them in - are they going into a preamp, like a Supratek? Or are they going into a power amp, like in a driver position for a 300B tube? I'm using 6SN7s in both applications and would like to hear from all of you.

Best regards,

Markus no longer really the Naimnut...

@markusthenaimnut, I think those are really interesting points that you bring up. Other than my ears, I’m without any testing equipment.  I had an issue with some flaking of some cathode material in one tube,and after tapping a few times,this issue has cleared itself up.  The Linlai’s are as quiet as any tube I’ve had in my Motherlode II. This is a really quiet pre. I can pick an unused input,turn the volume all the way up, and with my ear to the speakers,only the slightest of a hiss. And I mean slight. Move away a few inches and it is silent.  IMHO, I always believed that the test cards that come from the Chinese vendors were just a gimmick.  Now,on the other hand,companies like Grant or Viva, I believe do proper testing and provide those results.   I am really happy with the performance of my tubes, unfortunately I don’t have access to any tube testing equipment. Hopefully someone can chime in that has,or has access to equipment. 

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.

@ram18, I highly suggest serious burn in before any critical listening.  The darkness you hear is exactly what I heard,and what I was told to expect from the gentleman that recommended these.  I have been playing these every day. I think I’m somewhere around 80ish hours,and they are just starting to really open up and sound special.   I would say these very close to my first pair sonically.  Huge soundstage, great detail, and fullness.  

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.

@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.

Great thread.  Has anyone compared the Linlai Elite E-6SN7 to Grant Fidelity's Treasure Globe 6SN7-SE??  These are the top two 6SN7 tubes Grant Fidelity offers and it would be great to hear any experiences comparing the two.  I think I saw this question asked earlier in the thread but couldn't see anyone chiming in with opinions - apologies if I missed it.

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.

 

 

@rocray  Sorry a noob question. Did your tubes turn black at the bottom as you burnt it in? Mine does.

The following ia an Extract from Linlai UK Web Pages.

I have a suspicion there is an arrangement in place that gives the distribution Partners a reassurance that there Sales opportunities will not be threatened by a undercut when contacting the Factory Direct.

Maybe Linlai does Screen for a select tube to be sold with a Global Logo.

A cost for the service to Screen, addition of a Global Logo and risks of return are calculated as added costs, that are then passed on to the Buyer. Hence, producing a increased value for the tube, that is a protection toward impacting on sales Partners businesses.

Has GF, been more astute in their screening and selecting of tubes ? Surpassing the Global Standard, to receive the status of being awarded to the Top of the Range Tube extraction. 

How does the GF Top Range compare in price to Linlai Global. 

From my evaluation of the previous posts from seasoned 6SN7 users, it does seem most likely,  if a tube is received functioning correctly, the method used to source and purchase is not such a concern, any method chosen will give access to a tube that will make a very good impression.   

About [LINLAI™ Global] – The official LINLAI™ EXPORT website:

[LINLAI™ Global] is the OFFICIAL overseas arm of LINLAI™ Tube Factory – i.e ‘International Sales & Marketing Division of LINLAI™ Tubes’.

LINLAI™ tube sales to ALL regions outside of ‘mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao’, are directly processed through [LINLAI™ Global].

 

All LINLAI™ tubes screened, offered and sold through our International Sales & Marketing Division bear the exclusive export logo of [LINLAI™ Global] as shown below.

Such an exclusive use of a unique logo differentiates [Linlai™ Global] tubes from the those sold within the Greater China market (including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao), and they come with quality and service standards matching up to our western peers.

 

 

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.

 

@ram18, it depends on the lighting. Under direct lighting the coating on the bottom appears dark, but move it away from the light source and it becomes reflective.  I believe this is normal.  

@rocray  Thanks. This helps. Was  worried for a moment.

@invalid Thanks.

@pindac  Tks for sharing the detailed info! Rather insightful.

I am happy to contribute, this thread in itself has proven for myself to be quite valuable.

I now have 102 hrs. on my Global-E. They opened up nicely, but still a little dark for my Cadenza Black which only has 80 hrs. on it. I think I need a few more hrs. on that cart. My AT 150 MLX sings as it always will. I noticed that I don't have to crank it up as much to hear what I was used to with the Shuang's. & Psvane combo which maybe have 800 hrs. on them. Tomorrow I'll do some rolling & see what that'll sound like. Their defiantly worth the $!  

I have a suspicion there is an arrangement in place that gives the distribution Partners a reassurance that there Sales opportunities will not be threatened by a undercut when contacting the Factory Direct.

Maybe Linlai does Screen for a select tube to be sold with a Global Logo.

A cost for the service to Screen, addition of a Global Logo and risks of return are calculated as added costs, that are then passed on to the Buyer. Hence, producing a increased value for the tube, that is a protection toward impacting on sales Partners businesses.

Has GF, been more astute in their screening and selecting of tubes ? Surpassing the Global Standard, to receive the status of being awarded to the Top of the Range Tube extraction. 

How does the GF Top Range compare in price to Linlai Global. 

From my evaluation of the previous posts from seasoned 6SN7 users, it does seem most likely,  if a tube is received functioning correctly, the method used to source and purchase is not such a concern, any method chosen will give access to a tube that will make a very good impression.   

The practice of screening tubes for the Western market is most interesting. I think it's highly likely that QC on tubes sold to Grant Fidelity meet more stringent measurements than the Chinese tubes. For instance, transconductance (Gm) and emissions may be held to tighter tolerances such as 2% or 5% between anodes. This would have nothing to do with sonics, but these tubes would have less noise and maybe a longer life. Maybe they are tested for noise and microphonics. 

In the US, dealers such as Upscale and Brent Jessee would charge a higher price for tubes that measured with tighter tolerances.

As for Linlai producing two different designs for different markets, I'm not sure I buy it. As was mentioned earlier, maybe the Chinese tubes are Driver Grade. It's anybody's guess.

 

I was on another forum and Linlai tubes was being discussed. Here's an excerpt:

I tried both the Linlai E-6sn7 and their less expensive Global Hi-Fi 6sn7 in my amps. I prefer the sound of the Global Hi-Fi version.
The bass is better on that one and the overall tonal balance seemed to be more neutral. The E-6sn7's seemed to accentuate the hi frequency spectrum at the expense of bass (the difference in sound of these tubes can be used to tune your system).
Linlai are making excellent sounding low noise low microphonic 6sn7's.

 

this is yet another 6SN7 from Linlai.

 

 

@ram18. The PSVane UK 6SN7's are bright, clear-sounding tubes.  IMO, they're not a "musical" tube, if that's what you're looking for.  I'm currently running them in a Finale Sesto Elemento FFX (6V6-based amp) running a pair of Horns by Autotech Atmosphere MK2s.  In a larger room, they help the Atmospheres for some reason, and they're a very clear sounding speaker (not muffled at all, nor bright).  In my pair of Horns Mummy's, I don't think I'd try them since the Mummy's reveal everything.  I haven't tried the Linlai's, but the UK's are probably the cleanest, brightest 6SN7 tube I've tried and with a large soundstage.  Brighter sounding than a Sovtek 6SN7, a "sharper" sound (but not in a harsh way).  Definitely "cleaner" than the JJs, Sylvanias, CV181s, GEs, and PSVane globes I've tried.  

@lowrider57 , do you have stock in G/F?

When did you find them? I closed their web page over the weekend & never seen those. ( NICE)

I did some rolling the past few days & I have to say; The Global & the Shuguang Treasure Cv181T sounded better then the 4 Global in my Don Sachs.

@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.