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300 B Shuguang Black Bottle tubes

Just got them from Canada (from NA distributor) and put as a replacement to my Audion Silver Night 300 B. I used to have 300 B (Hot Rods marked), I think they were codenamed as Golden Dragons (correct me if I am wrong), had to replace them recently, I got what I could get in Russia - Svetlana 300 B ones. Svetlana by all means not bad tubes (I thought way better than the ones I used which came with amp), but Black Bottles are just another league way up from what I heard. Suddenly bass became very articulated (used to be rather boomy), soundstage is a huge improvement at all.

They are in burn in process at the moment (as I read they really start signing after 300 hours), I am wondering whether anyone did have an experience with them and whether it is as much positive as mine (very addictive tubes!!!!).

Anyone?
salavat
cheapmike
85 posts
 
I am glad someone else is also appreciating the Shuguang, I actually prefer them over the newly minted Western Electric 300b. It seems like the Shuguang Black Bottle has more "bass slam" and more articulate than W.E. The Golden Dragons Iv'e heard not bad really, like them better than Svetlana. Let us know any other discoveries. Mike
salavat OP
37 posts
 
Yes, I read from somebody who preferred them to new WEs 300B, I guess it is just a matter of time when people start realizing qualities of Black Bottles.

My tubes are still under 100 hours burn in, I think that midrange is somethings special though, I am still hesitant to draw any conclusions, as I understand, they dramatically change at 300 hours burn in...
wavetrader
260 posts
 
My Sophia carbon plates sounded much better after 100 hours and finally come up after 200 hours. Less than 50 and your just scratching the surface.
salavat OP
37 posts
 
I agree with you, there are some things which are obvious from the beginning, but before they reach 300 hours it would be too early to judge them.
salavat OP
37 posts
 
Quick update...

After 100 hours (that counts both playing time and powered on but not playing time) I can confirm few things about them:

1) Soundstage is really (IMHO) something to get them for. If I close my eyes listening to music, the sounstage extends both in wide and in depth. Cannot say this regarding exact location of the performers/instruments, but "the picture" gets reaallly big.
I never could understand why many of my fellows are funs of mono recordings, with these tubes I can get an idea :) Listening to mono records is a fun.

2) Bass gets more focused and yet, it is still there and it is more powerful and meaty).

I tried to be critical to something that I wish would be improved. Trebles. I wish them become more airy, with delicate rollof, they are very nice but I hope when everything settles down they would become even better.

Also must say that they are quite revealing to the quality of recordings, exaggerated highs, boomy bass - you get everything what is in there.

And, yet, they are VERY seductive tubes. I often put a record to check out any changes, and stop listening when the complete record has been played through.
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