300B Tubes - Which is Best?

Dear Tomryan:

We are in Washington, DC area. Check out www.sophiaelectric.com or call me at 703-204-1429

Richard

It may be an old thread but I will continue it. I have used the Westerns, the TJ mesh plate regular, and the newer Sovetek. All are very good and very reliable. The newer Sovtek's are in the same sound line as the WEs. I am very impressed by them. A WE may be better, but mine always had some harmonic problems which WE failed to verify. The TJs, like the Sophias are excellent and have good bass. All are subject to your ears. I use mine in Cary 805c Anniversary amps with Quad 988 speakers. The detail of the speakers seem to lend themselves to mesh plates. I have yet to try the new Valve Art or the better TJs / Shphias and would like to.

Keep in mind the Cary 805 uses the 300b as a driver tube not an output tube. Just an FYI for others.

-Ed

Aren't the TJs a Sofia product? Aren't they one of their versions of s 300B?

Also, I noticed Gjgoldy has Cary 805s. I'm still interested in anyone who has tried someone they like better than W.E.s as power tubes. Mine are still chugging along after three years and half years with no noticable deterioration.

I thought Cary used the 300B up to a threshold (10-12 watts?) then the "big gun" (845/211) kicks in up to the rated maximum (50 watts?).