Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

@aldnorab 

It's always something in this HiFi hobby. Like being excited and waiting in anticipation of your new tubes breaking in, and an unrelated tube failure happens.

Maybe Linlai will expand their production, they haven't been in business very long and I think they want to excell in their current offerings. It may also be due to the design team that started the company. This may be their area of expertise.

Regarding fluctuations during the burn-in process, this is not the norm but does happen. I like how most true NOS tubes burn-in, as the hours pass you keep hearing improvement.

I’m now at about 175 hours.  They have definitely settled in. No more sound fluctuations.  The “honeymoon” is still on. These really shine in my preamp. 

@rocray 

Great to hear how you're enjoying these tubes in your system. Can you compare the sound to other tubes used in your preamp? I know this may take some auditory memory.

@lowrider57, when I get home from work, I’m going to pop the KenRads back in my pre for a bit,as a memory refresher. They are definitely (prior to the Linlai’s) the best tubes I have. 

I just finished a side by side test between the KenRads, and the Linlai’s. Songs played were,David Lindley/ Mercury Blues, Tommy Emmanuel / Beatles Medley, Carly Simon / You’re so Vain. Soundstage width and height were pretty equal. Soundstage depth went to the Linlai’s. The first thing I noticed, was in comparison,the KenRads seemed a little tipped up. I never thought this before about them,but again,in comparison. Symbols seemed a little too spashhhyy. I find the Linlai’s to be more balanced throughout the frequencies. They even felt a little richer in the lower ranges. More texture,more fluid. Symbols sound more like symbols.
Now,all that being said,will I be selling the KenRads? Ummmm,NO. However I will say,in my room,with my gear,and my ears, the nod goes to the Linlai’s. They are just so listenable.

Ray