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Best 300B

Can anyone compare the new Genelex PX300B tube to either Svetlana 300B's, Western Electric 300B's, Sophia 300B mesh plates,newer KR300B tubes or Electro Harmonix 300B's.

From my experience the Svetlanas sound a lot like the Western Electric 300B reissues. New KR300b's are better than the older KR VV32B's, KR VV300B's or KR VV302B's and all the above are better than Electro Harmonix 300B's

My Sophia Mesh Plates sounded very good in my Manley Retros but after several listening sessions I put them back in their boxes because the bias kept changing at the recommended setting. Whenever I get around to it I'm going to compare them to others in one of my self biasing amps.

Thanks in advance,
Ron
128x128vv32bl
abill
80 posts
 
I also have the Coincident Frank's 300b and I have tried around a dozen 300b's and my favorite is the KR 300b xls.
They are the test tube shape and they were made in the late 90's. The Frank's are amazing with these tubes ! I have a pair of Black Treasures, they sound good but they don't match the 300bxls frequency extremes, and the bass with the KR's is rock solid.
I am using Coincident Total Victory's IV speakers with a Supratek Cortese preamp and there is definately a synergy with these components.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Abill,
The KR 300b tubes were always considered a good sounding tube, the problem was premature tube failure with poor company support. Perhaps your 1990s vintage tubes are of better quaility than current production. Where would one find these older tubes?
abill
80 posts
 
Charles1dad,

I bought these on Audiogon,about 6 months back,the seller bought them new and never used them.
I'm sure they were new because it took 200 hrs before they started to sound good.At 300 hours I stopped counting the hours and just enjoy them.
Keep your eyes open eventually everything shows up on Audiogon.
montejay
285 posts
 
Abill,
Those Kr's of yours are from another era when Kr was reliable. How do you know that they were from the late 90's?
I am not doubting they sound great.

Regards,
abill
80 posts
 
Montejay,
I have the paperwork that has the serial numbers and the date of manufacture.
I'm at work now but if you want to know the exact date I can look tonight when I get home.
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