What is your fav 300b valve and why?

[falcoron]

This is only my second 300b set amp and i do love that sound. Its a well known fact that most would consider the WE 300b valve the holy grail so given that what else is out there that comes close to these treasures?

WE users like Tel im sure have tried lots before parting with the high price these are now going for so, what did you try, like and what is to be avoided?

I really don't like chinese valves, i only say this as i have had 3 or 4 bad experiences with them in the past and some have even damaged the internals of the amp when they turned themselves into an arc welder! But you may fine otherwise.

Love to hear your thoughts and experiences please

cheers

 

[i_should_coco]

Time for another 300B bake off!

 

[falcoron]

I would love one, but not many users over here i fear that could do a bake off justice, wish there was though.

 

[i_should_coco]

Ah, just spotted you were in Belfast....

 

[falcoron]

What are your thoughts cocosan

 

[i_should_coco]

I like the WE best of all, unfortunately. Sadly unobtabium and super-expensive. Last ages, I've tested sets that are many years old and test like new.

I've found the Chinese Shuguang types can sound good, but have short like in comparison.

I also like the AVVT, but again they're no longer available and buying used or old pairs can be a crap shoot (they go for quite a lot of money on eBay, despite that).

EML are good, but expensive.

JJs were quite nice, but have a somewhat a lighter, drier character than the traditional voluptuous 300B sound.

Didn't like the KR much, tinny and dry sounding.

TJ meshplate (often also branded as Full Music, Sophia, etc.) can sound good, but amp dependent, I've heard them sound very good and also not so good. Plus they may not be the most reliable.

Svetlana were *very* nice, but hopelessly unreliable and long out of production.

I like the Electro-Harmonix - they sound really nice, coming reasonably close to the WE for far less money. Probably the safest bet.

 

[falcoron]

Thanks for that, i was actually looking at Sophia valves as they read really well in reviews, just goes to show. EH consistantly do well in all valve tests so just goes to show again you dont need to spend mega bucks. Are the gold pin version better or more foo?

 

[chelseadave]

Takatsuki 300b and Psvane WE300b replicas

 

[i_should_coco]

How are the Takatsuki? Are they not super-expensive?

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for that, i was actually looking at Sophia valves as they read really well in reviews, just goes to show. EH consistantly do well in all valve tests so just goes to show again you dont need to spend mega bucks. Are the gold pin version better or more foo?

No idea, TBH, I think the ones we listened to were the gold-grid versions.

 

[anubisgrau]

takatsuki costs more the WE re-runs (at least for what they are offered here)

 

[AGrail]

I have WE's and the mid is as good as it gets. The KRs have a little more solidity in the LF

 

[colesey]

Several years ago a friend and I each bought a quad of WE300b for our amps based upon the designer's recommendation and found them to be limp and underwhelming. Both the preceding TJ meshies and subsequent Sophia Carbon Princess sounded better; more dynamic tension and presence. No issues with reliablity. Since that time, there have been a number of new 300b models coming to the market (Black Treasure / Psvane / Sophia Royal Princess / Takatsuki / Guinguang etc) and I suspect the state of the art has moved further forward.

 

[MallyMad]

I've put up a link in the eBay section which looks like a cracking book all about 300Bs. Could be worth investigating.

 

[falcoron]

Would have bought the book only can't pay that for postage, nope!

 

[George 47]

For me the Emmission Labs with the EML valve rectifiers (glows lovely).

For me they are a modern 300B that has a top end and a nice driving bass. With the characteristic bass tonal qualities the bass is really good and the common complaint of 300B's soft soggy bass is not there. The spare set of TJs actually sounds really good but do not have that fast bass and sparkling top end of EMLs but they are much better than 'normal' 300Bs. EMLs are a bit expensive (understatement)

 

[falcoron]

Thanks George

 

[RobsterD]

Thought the EH gold grids were poor and unreliable,best are EML's and KR's in the amps I've had .

 

[MallyMad]

Just noticed a couple of Billington golds on the bay. Not right on topic I know but could be worth a look. Postage on that book was a bit excessive! Wonder if a library could get hold of a copy.

 

[falcoron]

Billingtons are rebranded Chinese of unknown make, I asked mr billington a few years back