Elrog 300B vs Takatsuki 300B tubes

Charles,

I haven't had my Franks as long as you have but have never experienced any other tube failures with them other than one of my Elrogs. I have used the stock Shuguang Black Treasures (briefly) as well as VAIC VV300b which were manufactured in the 90s when KR and VAIC were one company. 

When I asked Israel about using different brands of 300b tubes he did tell me to stay away from Sophia Royal Princess as they couldn't handle the voltage levels of the Franks.  It appears that the Franks create higher voltage levels than other 300b amps...this was alluded to by WJT2005 but in a slightly different context than I think Israel meant it with his comments about suitable 300b choices. 

Others he mentioned as being ok were the Taks which he spoke very highly of, Elrogs only the newer ones that have been rebuilt to handle the higher voltages, older KRs but not ones made within the last 5 years, EML XLS which he really liked but not their mesh plates which were prone to microphonics. 

Hope this his helps with the discussion about reliability. 


From on my own experience these amps are by far the quietest tube amps I have ever owned and I have owned a bunch. I can't believe that even with my ear right up to the compression drivers on my speakers there is virtually no noise. Now that's really unprecedented in my experience with tube amps. 

Scifi

So this is my point, not everyone has had early 300b
 tube failure with the Frankenstein MK II. The question is how often is this problem occurring and what % of amplifiers are affected?
Markus I'm glad you are having the same wonderful Franks with Elrog tubes result as I am.

Chris, I am happy the Franks  have worked out so well in your system. Wow! its been a year for you already?

Charles,

i forgot to add that I'm really enjoying the Franks very much. They make listening to music such a pleasurable experience. I find myself more engaged in the listening process with these amps than any other I've ever owned and I've been into audio since 1969!  Damn I'm old!  

Scifi

Scifi,
That's quite a compliment for the Frankenstein considering your coming off recent ownership of the highly esteemed Joule OTL amplifiers. Increased music listening engagement is the Frankenstein's best attribute in my opinion.
Charles,

got my Elrog 300b's today for my single ended Golden Gate and I've been listening for the last 3 hours. I'm very impressed right from the start. this is the magic I've been looking for.

Very very sexy sounding. It has that mid-range fire and sparkle, along with a seemingly lower noise floor and micro-dynamic energy which makes the music more real and engaging. Very nice bass decay and soundstage space and overall presence. It has a lovely texture and nuance. just a very refined sound. it seems fine with large and small scale music. loves piano and strings. so real sounding and goose bump inducing.

a friend warned me away from these so there is that concern. but my ears are loving these Elrogs. I do have a very good stable power grid with an Equi=tech 10WQ wall panel system with 10kva isolation transformer. and the dac is not stressed.

so far all is well and I'm very happy. thanks for all the info pushing me toward this decision.