Psvane 845-HIFI or Shuguang 845B?

So far, the 845-T has proven less reliable than the 845B in my experience with both. The 845-T sonically ranges from having no advantage over 845B to being slightly more resolved, depending on the amp. 845B has been incredibly reliable for me.

Two interesting newer alternatives: the Sophia 845mk3 carbon plate is considerably more expensive, and the cryogenically treated 845A that ATSI/Tubeman/Ken Chait sells is cheaper. This cryo 845A is much improved over the stock 845A, quite dynamic and the A tube's glare is tamed. I still prefer the B in my amps but the cryo A is an alternative with a vivid sound.

Phil

>>Hard to believe nobody has compared Psvane 845-HIFI series tubes (not 845T) to Shuguang 845B since Psvane 845-HIFI have been on the market for a while. <<

Frankly, with the Psvane 845-T having been disappointing, there isn't a lot of incentive to bother with the more prosaic 845HiFi when the B tube is so reliable, cheap and good. It's easy enough to buy a pair of 845HIFI tubes online fairly cheaply, so if you're that curious, have a go.

Phil