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Elrog 300B vs Takatsuki 300B tubes

Has anyone heard the Elrog 300B tubes ? I read an article which mentioned that the Elrog 300B delivers 15% less power than a traditional 300B tubes. Can anyone confirm that it is audible ?

I am choosing between Elrog and Takatsuki 300B tubes. I would prefer the Elrog because it is cheaper and supposedly wonderful but if it really sounds less powerful then I have to rethink.
pani
ecx123
3 posts
 
In the Coincident manual for the Franks, it specifically says uses 5u4gb and don't use 5u4g. Before reading the manual I did roll some 5u4g tubes in because they looked cooler with their bottle shape. One amp stopped functioning shortly after but luckily it was just a blown fuse. When I inquired with Isreal he referred me to manual and said use 5u4gb only. Was blown fuse the result of the 5u4g?Cant say for sure. Interestingly on EML spec on note 4 it says they are not the same:
http://www.emissionlabs.com/datasheets/EML5U4G.htm
I guess it is a case of it works until it doesn't.

Very much loving the Coincident Franks and CSL. Actually got the Statement Phono first and loved that, then decided to go all in. Big improvement on CSL and Franks w PSVANE WE replicas. Will be ordering the Elrogs next week to see how much better it can get.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

I wish you good luck with the revised Elrog 300b. I hope their reliability will now equal the superb sound quality.

Charles

almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Ecx123, thanks for the additional info. I see what you are referring to in EML’s note 4, which states in part:
Replacing 5U4G with 5U4GB may result in higher rectified voltage, so should never be done. Replacing 5U4GB with 5U4G may result in lower rectified voltage, and may result in damage of the 5U4G rectifier.
However, here are vintage datasheets for the 5U4G and the 5U4GB. Note the statement in the first paragraph of the 5U4GB datasheet that:
The 5U4-GB ... may be used as a replacement for either the 5U4-G or 5U4-GA.
Also, while the detailed parameters indicated in the datasheets do suggest that substituting a 5U4GB for a 5U4G will result in higher rectified voltage, the difference does not appear likely to be major.

Finally, my older Sam’s Tube Substitution Handbook lists the 5U4GB as a direct substitute for the 5U4G (while of course not listing the reverse). I have never known its listings to be inaccurate, and I have often found them to be overly conservative (i.e., to err on the side of caution) if anything.

In any event, all of this is of course superseded by the indication from Israel and in the manual that the 5U4GB should be used in the Franks. He should update the website description of the Franks, though, which indicates 5U4G as I mentioned.

Enjoy!  Regards,
-- Al

rogerabbit's avatar
rogerabbit
25 posts
 
Well I have EML 300B XLS in my Ruby amps for several years and the sound is superb. These are more rugged and reliable and you can get more power from them if you design an amp around it.
- IMO they are among the best 300B's that can be had at any price and run around $750/pair
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

The one drawback I could cite for the 300b is that the very upper tier examples are expensive. Takatsuki 1800-2000 USD per pair, Elrog 1500 USD pr. The EML XLS is reasonably priced relatively speaking and especially given its superb performance. Also based on reports of older XLS tubes used heavily over the years, their lifespan approaches 40,000 hours. In normal use that represents "many" years of use. This is a significant factor when initial cost is considered. It is a wonderful tube in my humble opinion. Every time I power up my amplifiers (which is  often) I just appreciate the quality of sound presentation (and their contribution) in my room.

Charles

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