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Neutral and open sounding 300B tubes

Friends,
I am looking for a pair of traditional 300B tubes. My wavac came with a stock pair of 300B tubes which are of the cheapest variety. I bought a pair of Emission Labs 300B XLS and it was a totally different flavor, more dynamic, more bandwidth but a little less colour and touch which 300B are normally known for. I am thinking of trying another pair of 300B tubes which is of traditional variety but is not very coloured. Clean, neutral and open sounding without loosing too much of the 300B magic. My budget is $1000 for a pair. So that definitely eliminates original WE300B and Takatsuki (Japan) 300B. Probably I am left with only the Chinese options, Shuguang, Sophia Electric and TJ full music. Looking for some suggestions here.

I listen to all kinds of music so please suggest good all-rounders.
pani

Showing 1 response by verdantaudio

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,517 posts
 
Have you thought about KRs?  One of the things that is interesting about the KRs is that they offer a higher plated dissipation than a typical 300B, 50w vs. 40w.  Wonderful all around tube that will bias a little higher without compromising tube life.    

It is a bit slow in getting them because of COVID 19 but these are on your budget ($1000).  They deliver more than the EMLs.  

The other interesting tube is the the Sophia Classic in Blue Glass.  They are best with Sophia's rectifiers.  

Be cautious of the EML mesh plate.  You need to potentially lower the bias as it operates best at 22w and will burn up above 28w.  This is not a problem on other 300Bs.

We sell a lot of 300Bs and I have EML, Sophia's current stock (which is abridged) and KR.  Site is www.artaudio.us  
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