On the subject of Linlai, there are 6SN7 Tubes available from the Brand that have received a strong support within this forum.
These Tube Types from Linlai might be a Upgrade Tube worth considering at a later date of Amp' usage.
300b lovers
I have been an owner of Don Sachs gear since he began, and he modified all my HK Citation gear before he came out with his own creations. I bought a Willsenton 300b integrated amp and was smitten with the sound of it, inexpensive as it is. Don told me that he was designing a 300b amp with the legendary Lynn Olson and lo and behold, I got one of his early pair of pre-production mono-blocks recently, driving Spatial Audio M5 Triode Masters.
Now with a week on the amp, I am eager to say that these 300b amps are simply sensational, creating a sound that brings the musicians right into my listening room with a palpable presence. They create the most open vidid presentation to the music -- they are neither warm nor cool, just uncannily true to the source of the music. They replace his excellent Kootai KT88 which I was dubious about being bettered by anything, but these amps are just outstanding. Don is nearing production of a successor to his highly regard DS2 preamp, which also will have a unique circuitry to mate with his 300b monos via XLR connections. Don explained the sonic benefits of this design and it went over my head, but clearly these designs are well though out.. my ears confirm it.
I have been an audiophile for nearly 50 years having had a boatload of electronics during that time, but I personally have never heard such a realistic presentation to my music as I am hearing with these 300b monos in my system. 300b tubes lend themselves to realistic music reproduction as my Willsenton 300b integrated amps informed me, but Don's 300b amps are in a entirely different realm. Of course, 300b amps favor efficient speakers so carefully component matching is paramount.
Don is working out a business arrangement to have his electronics built by an American audio firm so they will soon be more widely available to the public. Don will be attending the Seattle Audio Show in June in the Spatial Audio room where the speakers will be driven by his 300b monos and his preamp, with digital conversion with the outstanding Lampizator Pacific tube DAC. I will be there to hear what I expect to be an outstanding sonic presentation.
To allay any questions about the cost of Don's 300b mono, I do not have an answer.
I use the Linlai E-6SN7 pretty much exclusively. A very well balanced tube that rivals any of my NOS ones and I can buy all of them I want. The PSVane tennis ball shaped ones are also quite good, but I prefer the Linlai in my gear. Point is that there are some very good modern production 6SN7 tubes. |
+1 @donsachs ... I agree with the Linlai E-6SN7 tubes. I have a pair in my Aric Audio Super 6SN7 preamp, and it sounds "super" indeed. The Linlai are just so perfectly balanced in the preamp; nothing calls attention to itself; they are just as musical as can be, with a great soundstage, air, have a wonderful midrange with presence, and are speedy too. I have been a big fan of the ' 40s 6F8Gs w round plates, which also sound great, but they are hard to find, and when you do, they tend to be be microphonic, and some quickly turn noisy.... The Linai are remarkably quiet. I love them. The Treasure Globe 6SN7s from Grant Fidelity are also very nice, but I think I prefer the Linlai at this point. |
The treasure globes are most likely just hand selected psvane tennis ball tubes. They are indeed also a very good 6sn7 if they will physically fit in your application. The Shuguang WE6sn7 series was wonderful as well, but sadly all things Shuguang are out of production...... The Linlai WE300b copy is superb and what we will provide with these amps.... |