Elrog 300B vs Takatsuki 300B tubes

Hi Charles 1 dad,

Have you tried the EML meshplae tubes?  I know they are not supposed to be as robust as the XLS, but, I do wonder how they sound.  I use to run EML meshplate 2a3s in my Kageki, and that was a VERY interesting tube and quite different from the EMLs with solid plates.  The mesh-plate tubes delivered a huge, enveloping sound-stage and a very extended and airy sounding top end.  In some sense, the sound could be described as a bit "phasey" and almost unnatural, but, I liked it nonetheless.  

One more thing, I cannot imagine anyone providing better service than George Lenz at Tubes USA.  That would be my go-to source for anything that he carries.   

Mesh Plate 300b's might not do to well in the Coincident Franks 300b amps. They would probably be run too hard and not have a long life. If I were running 300b Mesh my operating points would be conservative. 350v across the 300b plate at 60mA.  I think the Franks are running over 400v across the plate and maybe 80-90mA?? A good way to fry a mesh plate tube since they don't dissipate as efficiently as a solid plate tube. Jet

Hi Larry,
I had the EML mesh 300b in my Frankenstein for about a 3 week period a few years ago, Its sonic character was just as you described, very open, airy yet delicate and nuanced. I really liked that tube.   Jet is right however, it didn't last long in my amplifier for the reasons Jet stated. The EML XLS is right at home in the Frankenstein by comparison as it's much more rugged and robust. For more conservative run 300b amplifiers the EML mesh plate 300b wound be one to strongly consider in my opinion. This tube is a "true" mesh design unlike the Sophia "mesh plate" versions.
Charles.

I am not surprised that the EML meshplates turned out to be not robust enough to be driven hard.  A lot of modern designs do drive tubes harder than do older amps.  My EML meshplate 2a3s had a long life span in my Audio Note Kagekis, but, when I tried the same tubes in a friend's pushpull amp, after a few minutes of operation, the sound became distorted and the plates started to flash.  The pushpull amp, had a much higher plate voltage, and even with a somewhat modest current level, this was too much for the meshplates.  

Ok, received my Elrog 300B tubes and just put them into my Berning 300B SET ZOTL amp. They replaced EML 300Bs. First impression ... WOW!. Much more layered presentation. Vocals a little further back but soundstage more spacious and deeper. Better separation of instruments and vocals. Seems a little more detailed. Sounds a little softer i.e less gain. Liking it very much. It's staying in the amp for now. Hope the tube will last long.