Favorite 300B: Sophia vs KR

Phaelon and Ischronism,
I and I`m sure Gwalt appreciate your comments.This comparing of upper level 300b has been most enjoyable.It confirms that a good quality-serious purpose 300b amplifier deserves(and responds) to better tubes. Buy the best tube that fits within your individual budget,you`ll be rewarded.

It`s really something to experience the transformation the RP and Takatsuki can allow if your amp/system are up to the task.Both of them are good right out of the box within just a few hours and they are continuing to improve with additional hours.

As far as I`m concerned a good quality amp with 'great' 300b tube combination mated with proper speaker just brings out the pure emotion,nuance and tactile realism of every recording I`ve listened to.I can`t imagine a return to solid state amplifiers again. They did`nt come close to this type of involvement(at least for me). There`s just something so holistic, complete and right with these two wonderful tubes. Expensive, yes are they worth it absolutely!

Charles1dad,

How many hours would you say you have on each pair?

To all re this thread: Wow. 6 pages/over 300 replies...no negativity. I'm seeing that as the exception not the rule. Nicely done.

I always enjoy Charles1dad's posts. They are fair, balanced and "wide" minded. Now I've added a few more peeps to my list.

I must echo the comments of Charles and GWalt - although I do not have their analytic ability. First, my SET amplifier is made by the same company that made the PSET amplifier used in the HiFidelity of Poland review. Second, I listen mostly to classical (from soloist and chamber to full orchestra and chorus), jazz, and female vocals and only occasionally to classic rock. Both the Sophia RPs and the Takatsukis better the Shuguang BT by a lot. Comparing the RPs and the Takatsukis, however, shows the latter to be a bit more refined and to have an eerie liquidity to the overall sound. The RPs were a bit more bold and in-your-face. In my amplifier and with the music that I prefer. . . the difference was a bit more than the 97 to 95 points suggested by Charles. At the same price, I would buy the Takatsukis. Amtrans was a pleasure; the tubes arrived in a matter of days. However, Paypal charges a premium for the yen to dollar conversion; and the new price of the Takatsukis will be 140,000 yen . . . or 1680USD bumped up to 1730USD by Paypal. Conversely, the RPs can sometimes be found listed on Audiogon. Finally, it will be interesting to hear the WE tribute tube made by Psvane and sold by Grant Fidelity.

Hi Onemug,
I really appreciate your kind comments.The RPs have just over 40 hours and the Takatsuki 75-80 hours.Both tubes actually reveal their superb sound within 2-3 hours and just continue to get better and better,

Onemug I agree with you completely concerning the enthusiasm and spirit of this thread.I`ve grown bored with the 'my component is better than yours' nonsense, or the 'you like 300b based amps amps? you don`t want "neutrual/accurate" sound type of logic.

I hope other admirers of 300b amplifiers share their experiences and thoughts.Let the fun and information continue to flow.
Regards,

I just can`t seem to shut up on this thread.
Gsm I`ve been eagerly awaiting your impressions,thanks a lot. Gsm you reminded me that I have`nt mention what music I use, I`m an absolute jazz nut(and seemto be getting worse).A friend and I reccently went to a local jazz club to see the young and 'very' talented guitarist Randy Napoleon who played with a sextet, beautiful music and up close sound(our table was next to the stage).These encounters always expose the full body and tone of these beautiful sounding instruments(lean,thin, edgy,nervous and clinical just are`nt present, nor bloated, flabby and slow)

I`ve been attending jazz venues frequently for the past 22 years and it`s a wonderful time and what training for the ears!
As a result of the ferequent exposure to the acoustic instruments and vocalists it seems when I listen to a system I can (it seems) sense/hear the artificial or canned sound of what some would considered high end- audiophile presentation. I`m in no way suggesting my hearing or taste is better than anyone else at all, just trying to explain my bias for context.

My bias is heavily toward the organic,holistic tone,timbre and overtones of music with natural dynamic ebb and flow.
My praise of the RP and Takatsuki centers on their exceptional ability to sound so natural and like real performances are present.They both push me closer to what I hear and also feel at the live jazz venues.
This is my point of reference,so those who share similar a orientation my high appreciation for these two 300b tubes will probably make some sense I hope.