Wanted: 300B valves x4 - WHY

[jandl100]

What ho!

I am mighty curious to find out what rolling the quad of 300B valves in my Viva amp would do.

Anyone with an interesting foursome of 300B valves they are willing to part with?

Errrr -- not Western Electric prices, thanks. :nono: :eyebrows:

[The Black Adder]

I think a mate of mine is selling his 300B amps, I'll ask if he's got any spare valves if you like.

Why? Because you want some.. lol

[jandl100]

Thanks, Joe ! :)

[Mike]

Recommended!... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Matched-Electro-Harmonix-EH-Gold-Grid-300B-Triodes-/390192113383?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item5ad94326e7

:)

[jandl100]

Recommended!... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Matched-Electro-Harmonix-EH-Gold-Grid-300B-Triodes-/390192113383?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item5ad94326e7

:)

Thanks Mike - but those are they that I have already.

I fancied trying summat different! :lol:

[Mike]

Then you'll need to spend rather more money! :(

[jandl100]

Ah, that's interesting - so you think the EH GG are the best of the lower price 300B toobs?

In that case, I'll stop with them!

[Clive]

Thanks Mike - but those are they that I have already.

I fancied trying summat different! :lol:
A few years ago I collected several types of 300B, I don't know what availability or quality is today but overall the best ones to try were:

Sovtek / New Sensor Gold (as you have) - very solid performance, bargain price.

TJ Mesh - delicate touch (as only for use in amps that don't run them hard), very clear without the thick mid-range some 300Bs suffer.

Sventana - high failure rate but if still in production this must be fixed by now, very Western Electric-like.

JJ Tesla - take a fair few hours to burn in but when they do they are excellent, detailed and full bodied.

WE - I just love these and I still use them but the price......

Since I tried all these and others carbon plate 300B are available, opinions seem quite divided.

I still have the valves....but only 2 of each.

[jandl100]

Thanks Clive, that's interesting.

The JJ and the EH GG are about the same price (£75 or so each), but you seem to imply that the JJ are significantly better, iyo. Is that correct?

[Clive]

Thanks Clive, that's interesting.

The JJ and the EH GG are about the same price (£75 or so each), but you seem to imply that the JJ are significantly better, iyo. Is that correct?
I've not tried them for a while, that's my memory of them. I could put them in the system to try, it might no be until tonight. I rider I would add is that the EH Gold are a VERY safe choice, they won't totally wow you and they won't disappoint but they are very decent indeed.

The JJ are a little more extreme and if your system setup was a little bright or the room harsh sounding then the detail they give could be too much. In a well set up system, as I expect your to be, they could be very good.

Bear in mind the valves I have are from production dating back to 2001/2002 so all may not the same in terms of spec.

http://www.tube-town.net/info/doc/Worldaudio-Design-300b_roehrenbewertung.pdf

[jandl100]

Thanks again Clive.

More detail sounds good to me - I'm a bit of a detail freak!

Yes, if you can be bothered to have a bit of a play with the EH and JJ valves I would be most interested in your comparative assessment.

After your reviewlet above, I am quite tempted by a quad of JJs! :)

[Clive]

Jerry, I've run out of time today, i'll try again tomorrow.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Jerry, and all others who may have a stash of valves lying around, can I bring this thread (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23684) to your attention please?

[Clive]

I'll see what I can do...I have a few....

[jandl100]

Jerry, I've run out of time today, i'll try again tomorrow.

Ha! - no problem, Clive. Thanks for trying. :)

Actually, I got so excited reading up on a few online reviews of the JJ 300B that I threw caution to the wind and ordered a quad from HotRox. :D



Jerry, and all others who may have a stash of valves lying around, can I bring this thread (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23684) to your attention please?

OK, I'll take a pic or two when they arrive.

Also of any other current prod valves I have around - some TJ Fullmusic 12AX7 and EH GG 300B and others I am sure.

[Marco]

Hi Jerry,

I'd also PM Steve Sheils (SPS) and ask him if he's got some nice 300Bs amongst his stash of 1000s of vintage valves... He's always very fair with his prices, and if he's got any, they'll be measured and fully tested, so you know that you're buying quality valves :)

Marco.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Excellent, thanks for that guys.

[jandl100]

Hi Jerry,

I'd also PM Steve Sheils (sps) and ask him if he's got some nice 300Bs amongst his stash of 1000s of vintage valves... He's always very fair with his prices, and if he's got any, they'll be measured and fully tested, so you know that you're buying quality valves :)

Marco.

:doh: Too late!

read previous post ;)

... anyhoo, the JJs sound like they should be right up my personal preference street! :)

[Marco]

No worries, dude. At least it's an option for the future, or if the others don't work out as expected. Hopefully that won't be the case.

Marco.

[jandl100]

JJ Tesla - take a fair few hours to burn in but when they do they are excellent, detailed and full bodied.


My quad arrived today - about 18 hours after ordering them from HotRox :eek: - superb service!

Wow - they sound nice - obviously more transparent and detailed than the EHGG.

In what way do they run in sonically?

[Clive]

My quad arrived today - about 18 hours after ordering them from HotRox :eek: - superb service!

Wow - they sound nice - obviously more transparent and detailed than the EHGG.

In what way do they run in sonically?
Glad to hear they are doing the business! I found they became a little richer and fuller sounding whilst retaining the detail.