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Psvane 300-B Tubes ? ? ?

Does anyone out there have any experience with Psvane 300-B MKII or their WE300-B Replica tubes ?  

I found the best sound from initially the Sophia Princess mesh-plate 300-B's, then their Royal Princess 300-B's however I'm definitely NOT happy with their reliability, especially the Royal Princess !  
I had a mesh-plate from new have a glowing spot on the mesh-plate, and they told me it was from sitting on the shelf for over a year !  REALLY ! ? ! ?  And I had two Royal Princess tubes go out with less than 600-hours on them, unfortunately well-past 1-yr. warranty.  Left a bad taste...  I'm NOT going back...  
I've tried EH gold-grid 300-B's, Gold-Lion's, JJ's...  All sound somewhat different but the Sophias sounded the best, however in my experience, reliability is questionable...  Thanks...  John  
128x128liquidsound

Showing 5 responses by liquidsound

liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound OP
146 posts
 
Thanks to all of you so far with your supportive comments...  I think that music-reproduction quality is definitely in the ears of the beholder.  No one has said positive things about Sophia's reliability, so I'll keep steering clear of their products.  I have tried the Gold Lion's and JJ's and prefer the sound of the Sophia's over those, however will try the Psvanes...
liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound OP
146 posts
 
Thanks for this information.  I have heard the Emission-Labs 300-B (not the XLS variant) and they sound good however not as good (in my opinion) as my Sophia Princess mesh-plates tubes.  I'm looking for a substitute, as I believe I'm on borrowed time with them.  
liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound OP
146 posts
 
Here here !  Most 300-B tubes I have tried sound good.  The subtle differences are in the Mfg and elements used I believe.  As for the amps, yes...  the PSU's and other components (ie...  transformers) help make up or color the sound.  I have a BorderPatrol S20 dual-mono parallel 300-B SET amp and the response is very linear.  I prefer the sound of the Sophia Royal Princess tubes and if it weren't for my negative experiences with reliability would still have them.  That's why I am looking for a great replacement.  
liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound OP
146 posts
 
Yes...  The Sophia mesh-plates are really as you say, a hole-punched piece of metal rather than a true woven mesh. They do sound good however but also run at about max for a mesh-plate.  They lasted fairly well but I don't like that one I got had a hot-spot on the plate !  I had to return it for a new one but since it was out of warranty, I had to pay 1/2 price for a replacement.  (I bought them but shelved them till I replaced my original set and it was bad right out of the box.)   
liquidsound's avatar
liquidsound OP
146 posts
 
I'm still using the Sophia mesh-plates.  I gave up on the Royal Princess a good while ago.  I am looking for a good replacement for the Princess mesh-plates.  I have heard the Emission-Labs solid plates, not the mesh.  The sound is good but notably different than the Sophia mesh plates.  If I can find a 300-B tube that sounds like the Sophia mesh-plates or the Royal Princess, that would be great.  No more Sophia tubes for me ! 
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