Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

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

At 40 hours the Linlai have picked up more high frequency extension, but it is a little brash sounding. They are less forgiving and not as much fun. Only certain songs sound beautiful now. Hope they move past this phase quickly. Glad the solid state amp is hooked up now. No reason to waste the tubes in the VTL.

Thanks,

aldnorab

@aldnorab, I would continue to burn these in. It has been stressed that these need 100 hours of burn in to hit stride.  I do understand that system synergy matters also.  You are running the same pre as the gentleman that recommended these to me.  

@rocray don't worry. I plan to forge ahead towards 100 hours. Already thinking about breaking in the other two, when they arrive. Trying to decide if I should pull this set while breaking in the newer set. That way all 4 would have the same playing time. This would also allow comparing the break in of the two sets. But, with the two sets in different circuits matched age could be meaningless. Audiophile dilemmas🤔.

Thanks,

aldnorab

@aldnorab both sets of my TJ Fullmusic and recent Psvane (6SN7 / CV181) tubes at 24-48hrs hrs did not sound like they do at 100-150hrs. Patience did pay off.     

For example, the Psvanes were smooth at first 2-10hrs, then became more brittle and detailed at 24hrs for a short window.  THEN, slowly started smoothing out gradually up to 48hrs. Once I got past 100hrs it seemed like they were overly smooth, almost too much so at this point. Kept at it, hoping it would change again.   Past the 100hr mark maybe at 150hrs they've balanced out nicely.  Still very smooth, not lacking smoothness, not lacking midrange, picked up a little sound stage again, a little more detail back in the picture now with no edge, grain, or harshness now. Not changing now. Maybe stabilized between 100-150hrs.  

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ASK: Can you report back after 100hrs and again at 150hrs on what you hear?