I don’t understand why they would make a different tube for the world. Never heard of such a thing.
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Thanks @danmar123, that's very helpful. Sorry, just to confirm, the tubes that you got from @bugredmachine are the "Global Linlai" tubes, correct?
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Hey @rocray, I'm very glad that you're liking the sound. Like I said earlier, that's all that matters. So my guess is that your tubes might be authentic Linlai tubes manufactured for the Asian markets.
I also think that the reason why Linlai Global wouldn't answer my question whether the tubes with the horizontal labelling is fake is that they are probably indeed manufactured by them for the Asian markets, but they wouldn't want to disclose that to their global customers outside of Asia. Just a guess!
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I'll keep everyone on notice when I get the shipping conformation from G/F. If someone wants to send me their tubes from the US market, I'll put them under the microscope, to compare.
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@xcool
I've seen that page. It doesn't look complete because it says "more to come."
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@xcool , What the tubes that @bugredmachine sent me via (amptata)sounded better with only 3HRs on them, then the tubes that came from Viva. You can read my results a little back in the thread. Now I have to wait for the SLOW BOAT from China to arrive that I ordered 2 weeks ago. The sound of those tubes is still in my mind, @ 62 yrs. young, I’m still sharp. LOL
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@xcool, I just read the disclaimer on the Linlai website. They constantly refer to the tubes as Linlai Global. No where on my tubes is “Global” used. After a visual inspection of the Global tube on their website,vs the tubes I have, I can notice no difference. Now,this isn’t saying there isn’t a difference, just I can’t notice any. I’m now interested in a side by side comparison of the Globals vs the version I own. This is interesting to say the least. The only Chinese writing I see is on the gift box. No Chinese writing on the tube. All this being said,doesn’t make me not like what I’m hearing,and I’m still impressed with the sound quality once burned in.
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Hey @lowrider57, Linlai Global does publish their authorized dealers here. Right now there is only one listed, which is Grand Fidelity.
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I just went back and reread some comments on this thread and found this from @danmar123
I been buying from Viva for years, that's why I went & purchased the 6sn7 from them. The tubes they sent me, did not look, or have the same sound signature like the one's from Grant Fidelity or China. ''First hand experience''. Viva received them today & refunded my monies in full. I'm sure I'll be dealing with them again, unless I'm on their BLACK LIST....
That sounds consistent to what I read on the Global Linlai website. Since Grand Fidelity is the only authorized 'global' retailer, then probably the tubes from Vivatubes are sourced from tubes made for the Asian market.
Hey @danmar123, question for you. Which tubes sound better to you? My guess is you probably like the GF tubes better?
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This is way too confusing. Authorised dealers such as Viva Tubes and Don Sachs's distributor only sell Linlai's with the horizontal lettering. Unfortunately, all of Don's pics show the Shunguang tubes. I can't believe that these horizontal branded tubes that sound so good and have terrific build-quality are all counterfeit. The fact that Linlai didn't comment on said tube is perplexing.
Linlai and GF's websites have identical layouts, product photos, and descriptions. There's no question that they represent the legitimate products. I wish Linlai would publish authorised dealers instead of only stating who is not.
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Hey Ray, I guess as long as you're happy with the sound. That's all that matters. I was doing it for my own curiosity.
Anyway, these Linlai might just be a tad too tall for my setup, so I haven't really decided whether to go ahead and purchase them yet. But I'm definitely interested in looking for good sounding new production tubes and not relying on NOS tubes. Who knows when the supply of NOS tubes will eventually dry up.
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Does the Asian market like tipped up high frequencies?
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Thanks for doing that legwork Kenny! That is interesting that they are tuned for different music. I’m not sure what to think of that.
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Hey guys, I had decided to send en email to Linlai Global to ask about the 2 different looking Elite 6SN7 tubes that can be purchased in the US market today. I sent them the same 2 pictures that @twoleftears posted earlier in this thread. I specifically asked if the 2nd one in the picture (the one with the horizontal labelling) is fake or not.
They actually got back to me rather quickly. They pointed me to their website which I went ahead and read it carefully. It mentions that the "Linlai Global" tubes with the vertical label are designed and manufactured for the western markets specifically for western music.
The website also mentioned that tubes manufactured for the Asian/Chinese markets are tuned to Asian music and has a different logo, written in Chinese. These Asian market tubes will not have warranty outside of their Asian market.
They wouldn’t answer my question of whether the tube in the 2nd photo is fake or not.
Here’s my thought from reading that web page carefully. The tubes that are sold by Vivatubes and some eBay sellers are either fake (logo not written in Chinese), or made by Linlai specifically for the Asian markets. According to what’s explained on their website, the tubes for global markest and the ones for the Asian markets should sound differently.
I guess the only way to find out is to do a shoot out between the two.
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@rah50
Can you call Grant Fidelity and ask? I'm betting the vertical logo was an early version, but would love to know the truth.
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Its good you guys are comparing these latest offerings to vintage, and reporting back. Helps to know what others are hearing too. Thanks!
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@ram18
I'm so glad to hear that your sound is improving. Keep moving forward.
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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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I used Deoxit D5. It's for cleaning all metal contacts. Spray on metal conductors and wipe off the tarnish or crud. Or spray on a soft cloth and wipe down conductors.
Don't spray directly into tube sockets on component.
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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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I agree, it could be a production change,or different vendor??
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@rocray
Hmm, my tubes from both GF and China look different. They all have the vertical Linlai and the ring around the base. Probably just different glass suppliers perhaps?
It might be interesting to match pictures to serial numbers?
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@ram18
Those are the ones! But they are also available on Amazon for quick delivery depending on location of course.
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Here is a pic. The tube on the right is from the original pair. To me,they look identical.
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@rah50 Thanks for your views. I feel reassured getting them now :)
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@ram18
Those look really good. Mine are Bakelite but don't say silver plated. Got mine on Ebay. The pins looked dull or tarnished so I cleaned well with Deoxit and got them shining.
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Also is the logo, vertical or horizontal? The way it looks for me , is that I should have mine by the end of the month.
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@danmar123, they are the same as the first pair,and yes, I ordered them from amptata_audio. Each tube has a serial number plate inside as well. The gift/display box was packed inside an outer box lined with foam. I know no one asked about packing,but I was once again impressed with the extra effort put in to trying to insure safe delivery. This delivery was 3 days quicker than the first.
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My second pair of Linlai’s showed up today. They were ordered on 5/25. I have them playing now. This is an eye opener. ( or rather, ear opener). These sound so different than my well burned in pair. These are rather lifeless. Also,a much narrower soundstage. I know I heard these things the first time around, however,having just listened to the burned in pair, the difference is startling. At least I know what’s waiting for me! One thing,these are as dead silent as my first pair.
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Email from Linlai yesterday: No outbound shipping for consumer orders due to Covid restrictions in China. Order is forwarded for fulfillment from overseas distributor – expected shipping time in Mid June. If you don’t accept this deferred shipping, you may contact us to cancel your order. Thanks.
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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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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.
@ram18 , a quad of Linlai's may provide more clarity and weight. I'm going to try them in my both my preamp and amp. The reason I recommended the GTBs over other Sylvanias was to take the edge off your speakers and for their deep imaging. Most Sylvania have extended and detailed highs.
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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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@ram18 Hi Ram: I do have a Freya+ but I don't have a lot of tube experience with it. I bought it without tubes and other than having 4 Elites in it, I initially had Elites in the gain stage and Psvane UK 6SN7's in the buffer. This sounded terrific but I was liking the Elites so much I got another pair for the buffer. The result was certainly worth the cost, much better soundstage, especially depth. Much better low end in quality and quantity, really just significantly better all around and that was immediately obvious even with zero hours on them. The Psvanes UK's are supposed to be pretty decent tubes and I still only have about 35 hours on the buffer stage pair of Elites. I'm really happy with my system at the moment, incredibly musical. As to the socket savers I recommended, I can't tell if they effect the sound, I hear varying reports about their usage in the forums. I have another brand which I don't like as much, way too tight. Didn't see the gold pin version, not sure it really helps or not. I can't imagine that the goodness the Elites bring would be negated enough to ditch them for a tube that doesn't need the savers. Hth, Bob
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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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@decooney, this is actually the first tube I’ve ever had this issue with. When you mentioned it,I remember I read this on Brent Jessee’s website,and I also remember hearing about tapping the tube to dislodge the cathode material somewhere else on the interwebs. However,if you never had posted that,it never would have jogged my memory. It took three separate tappings to get rid of the issue. ( I had noise, shut system down,tapped both tubes. Waited a couple minutes, popped them back in, fired everything up, rinse and repeat. I also left the tubes out for a few days,and got re acquainted with the blue globe Psvanes. I’m at about 15 hours of noise free enjoyment of the Linlai’s. So far,everything seems to be back on track.
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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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@rocray Sure thing. Just to clarify, not all of my 6SN7 / CV181 tubes required any tapping to settle loose material floating around inside the tubes after some early burn-in. This did occur on some of my better-smaller signal 1960s NOS tubes from Brent Jesse, and this helped to solve it in the same manner 3rd try of tapping pins gently on a hard surface. After that, fast clicks, pops, went away, fortunately. Voodoo magic, who knows. It worked in cases with my older vintage tubes though.
Curious to know if this is resolved for you by now or if it keeps happening past your 3rd tapping attempt. Often times I wonder about differences with early batches from these tube manufacturers where someone is buying "older" stock from one resellers vs. another reseller - with (perhaps) a later version of the same tube on the shelf where the mfg caught issues and fixed it early for future batches before anyone knows it. All theoretical of course. Will be interesting to see if your next pairs work differently compared to your early pairs you received. Please share more as this unfolds.
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Once again, I’d like to send a thanks out to @decooney for the suggestion of tapping to loosen up the cathode material inside the tubes. I had to repeat this process three times. I have had the Linlai’s back in for about 8 hours today with no tube rush or any other nasties. Also,looks like my second pair will be in my possession on Monday. I will give those a good burn in once they arrive.
Ray
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Best value in high-end 6SN7 tubes. I had to replace an insanely-expensive pair of NOS Brimar CV-181 with the LinLai Elite and the new tubes are on par with the other tubes which cost 4x as much. Buying through Rachel at Grant Fidelity is always a great experience.
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No, the Linlai Elites will need socket savers to fit in the Freya+. I’m using the Amptata’s from Amazon.
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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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Yes Sir. They came from Viva.
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