Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

Hey @danmar123, thanks for your feedback and the pictures you posted.   What I found interesting from your pictures is that they look different than the picture posted from the "official" dealer Grand Fidelity.   Yours has the vertical letterings but the base of the tube has a very noticeable groove on it.   Here's the link to the Grand Fidelity tube.  The base is all smooth without the groove.

Where as the ones from Vivatubes have the horizontal letterings and the base have similar groove like yours.  We have assumed the ones sold by Vivatubes and many Chinese retailers are designed for Asian markets.   I now wonder if tubes supposedly designed for Western markets and those for Asian markets are actually the same tubes.   They are made to look different for marketing purpose and of course for higher profits.

These are not cheap tubes, and it's interesting to hear your feedback.  Thanks!

@lowrider57 Sorry am now back to my confused state. When you spoke to Grant Fidelity about the Chinese 6sn7 session ( the ones with the horizontal letterings) did they say it wasnt originals or just a matter of distribution in Asian markets as we had discussed prior. Also do you have the Globals too ( the ones with vertical letterings) and if so, how do the Chinese 6sn7 Linlais compare to the Globals.

 "I understand why they sound good in the Freya and Sachs preamps when used with a complimentary cathode follower."  May I know what you mean by this? Err in layman terms please. 

I  have the  Linlai E6sn7 Chinese version similar  @rocray  and I believe your initial purchase . Am still running it in.  Dont even think I have got 30 hours on em. Sounds slightly richer but not the nirvana stage yet. Think I need to run in further. Have been pairing Linlais with Sylvania GTBs and JJs at the buffer stage at the moment. Sylvanias sound more smoother on the highs,  refined, a liitle recessed better separation but less bass with the Linlais at the gains. Linlais   with the JJs, its more forward,  stronger imaging and heavier bass, but not as refined and smooth as well as  soundstage wise is not as good as the Sylvanias. Linlais with the Sylvanias makes for more involving listening.

@danmar123, thanks very much for reporting back. Can you describe any specific characteristics regarding the Linlai Globals in comparison to your other tubes? I realize everyone’s system and ears are different, but it may be helpful to know what about the Linlais weren’t working for you – ie did they have a bit less low mids or didn’t have enough depth vs your Ken Rads, etc.?

Hey @ram18,  if you go back a few pages in this thread,  I posted my email conversation with Global Lanlai about the 2 different looking 6SN7 elite tubes currently available in the US market.   They would not acknowledge the ones with the horizontal letterings are their tubes or counterfeits.  They simply told me to buy at my own risk if I don't buy from their global official retailer, which Grand Fidelity is the only one so far.

Here's the reply I got:

"We do not do forensic investigation of other online sellers. This is stated on our website if you read all contents - it is particularly not possible in China for Chinese sellers. Anyone proceed at their own risk."

Do remember the KR's especially the Black Glass is quite a Tube and will be getting more and more difficult to find a close to Factory Spec' replacement.

Earlier reports made it known the Linlai E 6SN7 was a close match to the KR, hence my interest developed.

It would be nice to know where the Linlai shared a comparative audible quality in relation to the NOS Tubes used in the rolling and comparisons.