Favorite 300B: Sophia vs KR

Things are getting interesting in the upper tier of 300b tubes.This Psvane WE replica is 935.00 USD and is suppose to be a 'strict' copy,similar to whan the Japanese are doing with the Takaksuki-TA 300b. Psvane seems to have established a reputation for very high quality built and sound in a relatively short time.

I spoke to Rachel (Grant Fidelity) yesterday. She says buyer feedback for the Psvane Black glass 300b(500.00USD) has been very enthusiastic.

Interesting, to say the least. I was happy with the Shuguang Black Treasures until I decided to try the Royal Princess. No comparison. I usually read reviews with skepticism. However, in this case, Jeff Day was absolutely right. The Royal Princess give up nothing in terms of sonics and added a liquidity and musicality that were missing in the Black Treasures. Two caveats about the Royal Princess: (1) My first pair drew a high current - 68mA - and tripped my amplifier's protective circuit. Richard Wu willingly swapped them for ones that draw 41mA. (2) They generate a bit more heat than the Black Treasures. (BTW. . .Sophia Electric was a pleasure to deal with.) I have a pair of Takatsuki TA-300b on order. . . an expensive was to satisfy curiosity. The rave report of the Takatsukis that was syndicated in Six Moons used an amplifier made by the same manufacturer as my 300b SET.

Gsm,
I eagerly await your comparision of the Takaksuki and Royal Princess tubes. I f the RP exceeds the BT(my current standard) as you state then it`s truly a superb tube.Where did you purchase the Takatsuki? was it even more expensive than the RP? This is really becoming fun and so interesting. Damm, I keep thinking about that Takatsuki ever since that 6 Moons review. That group of Polish listeners really seem like music lovers as opposed to equiment driven-sound based audiophiles.

I just want the 300b that communicates the emotion of music the best,the heck with hifi.

Charles1dad: The pair of Takatsuki TA-300b are coming from Japan. Not sure when they will arrive. I ordered them from Amtrans in Tokyo (http://www.amtrans.co.jp). They are a bit more expensive than the Royal Princess - 100,000 yen.

My CDP and amplifier are made in Krakow, Poland . . . so I know of the Krakow Sonic Society; and as I mentioned, the amp and CDP used to evaluate the Takatsukis are the top of the line from the same company.

Gsm,
Thanks for the information.At current conversion 100k yen=1300.00 USD. If the Takatsuki out performs the RP and that`s a big if, well for me if would get'major' consideration to purchase. Gsm I hope your tubes come soon. Boy, at 500.00 the Psvane black glass could be the sleeper in this mix.
Regards,