Western Electric 300B problem

I have contacted Upscale, immediate response on a Sunday! Explained the symptoms and sent a photo of tube, Jordan supposed to get back with me tomorrow. WE states returns should go through dealer if purchased at a dealer, returns direct to them for direct sales.

My take on 300B premium tubes based on reviews and individuals experiences is that all have very nice sound quality, all seem satisfactory for users. Reliability is the sole issue I see with them. Question is whether this  equipment or tube design issue?

@sns 

sorry to hear about your horror story. I have both Takatsuki and EAT 300b’s. My preferred tube is the latter: Built like a tank and in my Wvac EC300b simply the most powerful and dynamic. If WE can’t be bothered to test their tubes before shipping I wouldn’t bother either. Hopefully you get a refund and can move on

@antigrunge2 WE does test each tube and provides a test certificate with each tube, my test date 9/18/2024 so these quite recent builds. Further, Upscale claims to burn in all power tubes for 72 hours. If this true, I was hearing these tubes with a decent amount of burn in, not fresh out of box as I had assumed.

Having just held both WE and Acme in hand substantial difference in weight, Acme much heavier. Thicker glass and more substantial base accounts for the weight difference. Acme has gold plated pins, WE nickel?

@sns  Interesting that upscale burns in expensive new tubes.  There are those that say tubes "should not be shipped after they have been used as the heat makes the filaments more brittle".  I think if you can ship them before making the filaments glow, it is a good idea.  that said, I buy a lot of used tubes and generally, almost always, don't have a problem.  

There is no way Uncle Kevin is burning in WE 300B's. Possibly if they have been purchased, and then only if by request.