2. amps-preamps
  3. 193748-121025

Western Electric 300B Tube Problems

I purchased a pair of Western Electric 300B tubes a few months ago. Installed the tubes in an Air Tight ATM-300 amplifier. Before the even initial 90 days was up one of the tubes shorted and destroyed a capacitor and resistor in the amplifier to the tune of $1000 in repairs.

I returned the tubes (within the 90 day warranty period) to the store from which originally purchased. The store promptly sent me a replacement pair of new Western Electric 300B tubes. I installed the replacement tubes in another amplifier (Elekit 8600S, since my Air Tight was in for repair) and one of the replacement tubes was faulty! No music in the channel with the faulty tube, just some crackling and popping noise.

(Yes, the Elekit amplifier worked perfectly with other 300B tubes, and the problem moved channels when the tubes were switched)

I have now returned the replacement tubes for a full refund. I had heard rumors of quality control problems at Western Electric. I will not be buying ANY Western Electric tubes after this experience. Very sad since I really wanted to support an US manufacturer.

   -GAR

gareents
ghdprentice
7,502 posts
 

Takatsuki 300b are often considered the best sounding and are very reliable. I have not compared extensively, but they are the best I have ever heard and enjoy them daily.  

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
664 posts
 

Due to the price and history of failures with the WE 300b tubes I opted for a pair of used “like new” Psvane Acme 300b’s in my Aric Super SET 300b amplifier. Aric recommended either the WE or Acme as his top 2 preferred tubes in his amp. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. A BIG improvement over the adequate Valve Art Shuguang made tubes that came with the amp and the Acme build quality is by far superior to any 300b’s I have owned.

gareents OP
75 posts
 

The repair consisted of replacing resistors and capacitors in both channels since the repair tech could not find the exact replacement brand but wanted to keep the two channels equal in sound quality. Also, the tech also replaced all off the coupling capacitors in the amp.

But I agree, was still overcharged.

Thanks.

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