Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

Grant Fidelity shows the Linlai 6SN7 Global Elite now sold out. 

@audioquest4life

I’ve been suspicious of Viva since the start of this thread. And thank you for confirming my thoughts that they are not the same tube.

I posted this earlier, a warning from Linlai: Chinese domestic tube market, unfortunately, is very much unregulated with insufficient trademark protection, a very chaotic supply chain dotted by ‘underground or backdoor deals’, sometimes even mixed with counterfeits and bad qualities.

Everybody, please read:

https://linlaiglobal.com/index.php/category/buyer_beware/

I don’t believe Viva is an authorised dealer for the above reason. I do believe Grant Fidelity is a Linlai dealer based on their website which uses the same photos and descriptions as the factory site. Also, their prices are high. There are a couple of legit dealers that @rocray knows of. I contacted Don Sachs regarding where to purchase. I’ll let rocray respond since he started this thread and may have the latest and most complete information.

My advise for everyone here is to stop ordering from Viva and get your refunds. We’re a small and tight community, a band of brothers if you will, that love audio and took a chance on obtaining some new premium tubes. I hate seeing our members getting ripped off.

I’ve always stuck with Grant. Running Linlai 6SN7 Globes in my preamp now. They’ve been in for about 2 months.  I have an unusual setup - and all I can say is they provide more of what you’ve got. With open baffles there more air and separation. With 3-ways more bass. With horns - more horn. I like them, but I haven’t done my usual - go back to the previous tubes after break-in test. 

Has anyone ordered from Linlai direct? Their pic. of the tube has a solid base, but the drawing has the ring on the bottom as in the ones from Viva.

???????

The only authorized dealer for the US is grant fidelity, but I see most of the Chinese sellers on the web have the same tube, it just doesn't say Linlai global on the glass. The ones viva has do appear to be of a different internal construction.