Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

@rocray I’ll definitely report back. I’ve had a lot of experience with 6SN7 and owned a number of Ken Rad Black Glass VT-231 and while they had wonderful tone, I always found them to be a bit rolled off on the extremes which I could never live with. I tend to gravitate more to the Sylvania VT-231, which have better slam, linearity and detail, and those are what these Linlai are replacing. If the Linlai can bring the tone of the Ken Rad with the tightness and detail of the Sylvania VT-231, I’m going to have a sure winner. 

I have a pair coming from https://www.vivatubes.com/new-matched-pair-2-linlai-e-6sn7-globe-balloon-black-plates-vacuum-tubes/

@300bdude I think I you will be very pleased. Mine are broken in now in my T+A S10 and the amplifier sounds spectacular. It is a different beast than my T+A HV reference series amplification but neither are overall better than the other across the board. The tube upgrade in the S10 brought the performance and presence up a level. 

I purchased a pair of Linlai tubes (from Grant Fidelity).  I had my preamp serviced recently and discovered the tubes test low.  The technician stated they tested lower than any other 12 or 6SN7 that he’s tested.  And this was coming from a tube audio manufacture that utilizes a David Berning design.  The tester reached out to Grant Fidelity to determine why this was the case given the tubes were purchased in Sept. 2022 and it’s October 2023 (13 months).  He didn’t receive feedback to date. Caveat Emptor.  I contacted the company and this is the received response:  For within warranty period, please read below for our position of 3rd party measurement. Tube factory maintains its own product quality control and credibility to its own measurement procedure. 

https://linlaiglobal.com/index.php/warranty/

Product test measurements: We do NOT accept any customer or 3rd party’s test measurement, on any brands of test equipment as the basis of warranty claim. If you do not agree with our test methods or test measurements, please do NOT place an order with us. By placing an order on our website, you have expressed explicit agreement to our product test methods and test measurements. This term cannot be re-negotiated AFTER an order is placed.

Regards, 

[Linlai™ Global] 

Not sure of the differences between the Chinese market E-6SN7 or the Global E-6SN7, except for a huge price difference; and the Linlai's own reported differences discussed above.

I purchased mine from JJY Audio, which is where several of my audiophile friends buy their tubes from (several Agon members as well); $156 per matched pair instead of $305 from Grant Fidelity. I also purchased a quad each EL34-UK and EL34-PH from Helen (owner of JJY Audio), and they are exactly the same as my friend's tubes purchased from Viva Tubes.....except 40% less in cost. All in cost difference was: $492 + $80 shipping and Paypal fees and $0 tax, versus $777 + $74 tax + $24 shipping......total savings of $300

I can certainly appreciate the advantage of using a domestic supplier, but I've found some very good Chinese direct providers for tubes, fuses, bulk and finished cables, connectors, and cases for DIY power projects.