Favorite 300B: Sophia vs KR

Hi Doron,
You can just click system below my post to see pictures and description. I have no bass issues at all with my Frankenstein driving the Coincident speakers. My sense regarding the EML 300b is similar to yours(based on some reviews). The Psvane is a tube I just may take a chance on given my sucess with the Black Treasure tubes.

The rumor that Sophia tubes are rebranded TJs that undergo a more rigorous testing and selection process is something I inquired about before splurging on the Royal Princesses. Sophia was unequivocal in their assurance that their tubes are not rebranded TJs. If I recall correctly, and I might not, Sophia was a substantial investor in TJ when TJ started up, so that the relationship between Sophia and TJ is something like the relationship between Lexus and Toyota. At least that’s what I took away from it.

I got them via Poland for €1300 and I live in the UK

If you compare between Toyota and Lexus, I will take Venza over Lexus RX350 any day. Paying $12K for better fit and finish but same engine, same suspension, same transmition and than the Venza being a bit lighter and with roomier interior, sure.
But than some poeple will not buy a car if it deosn't have "L" on its grill which is perfectly fine.
Sophia would have not existed as a business if there weren't people who were willing to pay $1,200 for a similar TJ Fullmusic 300B SE.
To each his own.
I just think the price is over the top. Western Electric ditto.
Hype just kills our hobby. Not just in tubes. In every piece of gear, from fuses to speakers and we end up paying the price, if we choose to.
I am just not convinced the value is there. Just my thoughts.

Doron,
Hype can certainly cause prices to become inflated(no doubt) but it`s not killing the"hobby". Fortunately in this market we`re able to spend and buy as we choose and within our own individual budgets. There`s such a large price range in high end audio, we all find our various levels.

Doron, are you certain the Sophia RP and the TJ Full Musuc SE are 'identical' or just similiar? That could explain the differences. Jeff Day(Positive Feedback) just went nuts over the RP and I consider him a honest/reliable reviewer. In a perfect world I`d love to be able to compare the Sophia RP and the Takatsuki-TA 300b(expensive and somewhat hard to find) in my system head to head.
Best Regards,