Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

@swingfingers,

 scroll down & find my recent post. 

Thanks, @lowrider57!  Please let us know if you hear back. 

This may make sense based on the info from @pindac on the last page. The Linlai Global website includes the following phrase describing the Global series:

...without exaggerating the ultra high frequencies (much of Asian music does focus more ultra high’s and Asian audiophiles are accustomed to such a type of sound).

This seems to hint that the Chinese domestic version could have a brighter tonality.

@danmar123, apologies, I'm not sure which post you mean.

I finally pulled the E-6SN7’s from my amp and installed them into my preamp. What I was hearing before was influenced by tubes in the other stages. Now I hear the sonic signature of the Linlai’s more clearly.

First off, it’s an incredibly quiet tube. No noise or microphonics, I tapped on the PCB and nothing. There’s usually some sound from my NOS tubes. The bass doesn’t dig deep, I’m hearing a more pure sound than when it was in the amp. Highs are extended but not tipped up, no harshness. It’s neutral and there’s a good presentation of tonal colour plus a wide soundstage. The mids are linear and nothing special.  Imaging is focused, but not 3D (and I’m using Melz 1578’s in my amp. I understand why they sound good in the Freya and Sachs preamps when used with a complimentary cathode follower.

The cost of the Global E-6SN7 is prohibitive for experimentation, it’s equal to a good pair of "NOS" tubes. Now I wonder if the Global HIFI (entry-level) tubes are worth a go.

I just checked Linlai's website that I purchased the Global's, & there is no 6SN7 for sale on their site. G/F has them with the black vertical lettering. Everyone else has them with the gold horizontal lettering. FWIW