Elrog 300b's for sale. Your thoughts?


I noticed this morning an add for the new Elrogs.   I and many others on the forum ran the experiment when the Elrogs were initially launched.   We found the tubes to be superb sonically, but woefully unreliable.  In fact, the early failure rate on those tubes was apparently 100%.  I and others received replacements that were hand selected for suitability in our particular amps.  In fact one individual had 3 pairs fail.  In my case, I went so far as to purchase a PS audio power plant, having been assured that limiting incoming voltage to 115V would ensure reasonable lifetime for the Elrogs.  Two days ago, one of my replacements failed, after having been nursed along carefully.  Honestly, I doubt the tubes had 600 hours on them.  So the Psvane T1s went back in and I began the period of mourning for my deceased Elrogs.  This morning I awake to the siren song of an ad from a reputable dealer who is announcing availability of the new improved Elrogs with a 1 year warranty.   My initial reaction was, "I don't think so.  Someone else can run the $1200 experiment.  Burned once and lesson learned."  But here is the problem.  If all of Elrogs former customers take that approach, the new Elrog will also fail even if the tubes are good for 10000 hours, simply because no one will buy them.    The tubes are so good that it would be a tragedy if that happened.  So the question to all of you who have already been down this road is this?  What would it take for you to give these tubes a try again?
brownsfan
Hi Al,

yes you are right, each parameter on it's own is within the allowed limits, but the combination of 450V/90mA results in a plate dissipation slightly above the maximum allowed 40W. 450V * 0.09A = 40.5W (40W max)

Best regards

Thomas
vinylsavor - Thomas,

In purely general terms may I ask what one might expect in terms of hours of life for your "new" 845 tubes?  Some online forums suggested the prior manufacturing of those were problematic as well. Txs
Hi!

As mentioned above the 211 and 845 did not have the issues which the 300B had. They suffered from the poor quality control as well. During the time I was distributor for Elrog I got only very few returns of 845 tubes.

Life time cannot be generally estimated since it depends a lot on the operating conditions. During the many problems with the 300B we learned that there are a lot of amps which push tubes too hard. This can shorten the life time. op point, usage pattern (on off cycling) and tube rolling all affect lifetime. Normally you should be able to expect 3000-4000 hrs from a thoriated tungsten power tube. This can drop significantly if the tube is abused. It can also extend well beyond that number if the tubes are handled well. The distribution is a kind of bell curve

We also do not make the 845 long enough under the new company to have significant statistical data. I do not expect any issues with the 845 though.

Like the 300B the 845 and 211 carry a full year warranty now.

Best regards

Thomas
Thomas-

Is the website for the Elrog's up to date with prices and able to take orders or does one need to email you personally?
Hi!

For the US and Canada please send inquiries to George Lenz of tubesusa.com.

I will update the elrog.com website in January with prices and order information. Until then drop me an email


Best regards

Thomas