Psvane 300-B Tubes ? ? ?

One thing I learned in development of the NiWatt amplifier is that you can’t take anyone’s word for it (I actually knew that).

I’m poking the bear here, but my point is that like any architecture, 300B amplifiers are wildly different and one person’s assessment of a tube plugged into their amplifier is very likely to be different from how that person would respond if he plugged those tubes into your amplifier.

A large majority of 300B amplifiers (when driving appropriate speakers) have a big, fat upper bass and lower midrange. This has been the "knock" on 300B amplifiers, but in fact, the original 300B tube design is very flat in its frequency response. Most of a 300B amplifier’s "sound" comes from the power supply and the driver circuit implementation. Needless to say, these design attributes differ greatly in different designs.

With that disclaimer, if you want a good, reliable inexpensive 300B, get a JJ. If you’re cork sniffing (guilty as charged), pick up a set of Emmission Labs from Tubes USA (no affiliation, but he’s great guy): http://www.tubesusa.com/

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design

Here here !  Most 300-B tubes I have tried sound good.  The subtle differences are in the Mfg and elements used I believe.  As for the amps, yes...  the PSU's and other components (ie...  transformers) help make up or color the sound.  I have a BorderPatrol S20 dual-mono parallel 300-B SET amp and the response is very linear.  I prefer the sound of the Sophia Royal Princess tubes and if it weren't for my negative experiences with reliability would still have them.  That's why I am looking for a great replacement.  

Liquidsound,
I heard a pair of the Sophia Royal Princess in my amplifier for several weeks courtesy of a generous loan from a fellow audiogon member. It was a very good sounding tube but I felt that the Takatsuki was overall better sounding.

As Thom mentioned above the Emission Labs (EML) is worth serious consideration and similar price range of the Sophia RP. I don’t know if Thom uses the standard EML 300b or the XLS version (that I have). As acknowledged certain tubes will sound better/worse depending on the particular amplifier in use. 

Thom I’ve read comments by Lynn Olsen regarding your Niwatt 300b SET amplifier and he is highly impressed.
Charles

Thanks for this information.  I have heard the Emission-Labs 300-B (not the XLS variant) and they sound good however not as good (in my opinion) as my Sophia Princess mesh-plates tubes.  I'm looking for a substitute, as I believe I'm on borrowed time with them.  

Part-Time audiophile reviewed Takatsukis in one of the BorderPatrol 300b amplifiers - not sure whether it was the PSET design or the SET or PP design. As I mentioned, I love my Takatsukis; however, you need four of them. Pricey. You might consider the KR balloons.