MHDT Orchid or Lampizator Amber 3?

I think the question of whether a Z is better than a T variant is open for discussion and might depend on other system characteristics. Don Sachs, who builds very well-respected Preamps and buys a ton of tubes from China and uses them in his equipment has a great deal of experience with these new Chinese tubes. He advised me that he believes that the T variant is better than the Z variant. I think the description that the Z variant is warmer aligns with what Don has told me. I have no experience with either of these tubes. Just trying to say that It might not be a situation where the T tube is always better than the Z tube.

I have also heard the T is the best sounding from a Don Sachs preamp owner who tried both. 

On the Amazon website for the Shuguang Treasure CV181-Z tube linked to above, in answer to someones' question about the grade of this tube, the seller responded:
"The brand have three grade , General Grade,Treasure Grade(better grade) and Natural Sound(best grade), respectively.
This is Treasure Grade."

The CV181-T tube, like the one The Tube Store sells, is called Natural Sound. So, one would assume that this is the 'best grade' of this tube going by what the seller on Amazon stated....however that designation translates to in actual use.
 
  https://www.thetubestore.com/shuguang-natural-sound-cv181-t?quantity=1&custcol_boxed_set_option=2

I placed the Shuguang Treasure cv181-z in the stock Orchid with the adaptor and did not like the sound at all. Very bright, forward and lacking warmth and bass. The cv181 already had 50 or so hours on an FYI.

Next I performed my upgrades on the Orchid and put the same cv181-z back in and boy does it sound fantastic now! Best I’ve heard the Orchid sound for sure. This is with only a hand full of hours on the upgraded parts.

The stock unit sounds far better with the Western Electric Tube most owners have vs rolling in the cv181-z. The upgraded Orchid sounds better with the cv181 vs the Western Electric and is the best I have heard the dac sound to date. It will only get better with burn in. The upgrades seem to be mandatory to get the most out of tube rolling .... at least the 6sn7s and Shuguang Treasure c181-z varieties.

The Shuguang cv181-z pulls .6 amps of current on the fills like all 6sn7 tubes and is in fact a direct replacement. The cv181 label given by Shuguang is really pure marketing as NOS cv181s actually pull .9 amps of current, not .6 amps.

MHDT states you can try 6sn7 tubes as they may well be ok to use. Please understand the .6 amps the filaments draw is right up against the ceiling MHDT suggests for filament current draw. So roll 6sn7s at your own risk🙂. My friend’s unit has run for many days and hours with absolutely no issues. The tranny does not even get warm. It stays cool. No signs of stress on the Orchid.

The sound is just wonderful with the Shuguang. Very special.