Coincident Linestage vs CJ CT5 or Allnic L-3000

Charles, my point was that honestly, all of the 101Ds, the Shuguangs, the HiFIs, and the WE replicas have arguably been superb tubes. The 101D pretty much is a superb tube by design.

To my ears, the differential between the WE's and the HiFis was not orders of magnitude improvement. I would really need to do a more careful A/B to really say more than I have said.

Part of the problem is that while the WE's have been burning in, I've changed sources and speakers. I am thrilled with what I am hearing, but how much is due to the WE's will take that A/B with the HiFi.

As I recall, right out of the box, the HiFis were a noticeable but not spectacular improvement over the Shugauangs. It took some burn in for the HiFis to really differentiate themselves.
By now, I'm sure I've got a good 300-400 hours on the WE's, so an A/B on fully burned in HiFis vs WE's would be meaningful.

Brownsfan,
Your point is well taken, the 101D is an intrinsically excellent tube (certainly as implemented in the Coincident design). The Shuguang version served me very well my first 4 years with this preamplifier and the Psvane hifi has been an improvement. I'm actually surprised that this beautifully natural sounding tube is used so rarely given its capabilities. As CSL owners we are fortunate Israel Blume decided to utilize the 101D.
Charles,

Charles, well said RE Israel's fine work on 101D implementation in the CSL. Based on my experience with the CSL and now my Triumph Extremes, he has my full attention. The franks are just a matter of time.

Brownsfan,
CSL-Franks-Triumph Extreme. Good moove.

Meant move not moove.