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Favorite 300B: Sophia vs KR


Which do you prefer; S.E.T. Princess 300B Carbon Plate or KR 300B WE Clone?

I've only experienced NOS 40's/50's WE so my expectations are pretty high. Which do you think captures the essence of the WE most closely? I'm trying to keep the cost down as much as possible so EAT is not an option, as much as I was blown away by their KT88. I considered current WE but they're not in production until Spring 2011.

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sakahara
phaelon
1,052 posts
 
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.
antigrunge
74 posts
 
I got them via Poland for €1300 and I live in the UK
doron
43 posts
 
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.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
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,
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Charles, I have an extra pair of Sophia RP that I would be happy to lend/send for your comparison.
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