Ok, I run mine at 80ma , I found the older WE versions really came to life at around 80ma up to around 83ma so I just used the same settings for the Acmes, I found the Acmes did start to sound harsh once you got past 80ma, I have not really experimented with the Acmes running them at less than 80ma but now you have me thinking that I should experiment with lower bias to hear the effect. Whenever I ran the WE's at anything lower than 80ma they really started to lose dynamics in a big way.
It's always a gamble when you are getting a set of old tubes, but it's totally worth it.
I'm using a pair of the new Linlai E-6SN7 in the gain stage of my amp. Wonderful transparent tube. I intend to try them in my 6SN7 preamp next.
@Lowrider75 - how do you find the Linlai compare with the Melz we previously discussed?
The Linlai E-6SN7 may be the most transparent, low-noise tube I've ever heard. It presents a spacious soundstage with a deep tight low-end. I like to use a kick drum and bassline as a reference and this tube allows a realistic attack of the beater on drum head whilst a well defined bassline can easily be distinguished. The Melz digs deep with less subtlety. I love the huge soundstage and 3D imaging of the Melz which includes a touch of warmth. What I hear with the Linlai is neutrality and like the finest Sylvania, it gets out of the way of the music. The Melz adds drama to the recording.
I tried both the Linlai E-6sn7 and their less expensive Global Hi-Fi 6sn7 in my Atma-sphere M60's. I prefer the sound of the Global Hi-Fi version.
The bass is better on that one and the overall tonal balance seemed to be more neutral. The E-6sn7's seemed to accentuate the hi frequency spectrum at the expense of bass (the difference in sound of these tubes can be used to tune your system).
Linlai are making excellent sounding low noise low microphonic 6sn7's.
Most of the remaining supposed "NOS" 6sn7's are actually used pulls and are noisy and microphonic junk in comparison to these new tubes.
The bass is better on that one and the overall tonal balance seemed to be more neutral. The E-6sn7's seemed to accentuate the hi frequency spectrum at the expense of bass (the difference in sound of these tubes can be used to tune your system).
Linlai are making excellent sounding low noise low microphonic 6sn7's.
Most of the remaining supposed "NOS" 6sn7's are actually used pulls and are noisy and microphonic junk in comparison to these new tubes.
I find your comments most interesting. There are threads on other forums in which the members, including myself, are confused about which Linlai to buy.
The website says the Global with the vertical logo is for export to the West. The E-6SN7 is for China. But the Global is very expensive. $305 per pair from Grant Fidelity, US dealer...
Linlai™ Global Elite E-6SN7 vacuum tubes (pair or single) – Premium Vacuum Tubes
premiumvacuumtubes.com
Where did you purchase your tubes, if you dont mind me asking? The Globals have been out of stock until recently.
The Ebay sellers are all based on China and sell the Chinese version to the US. They even take returns.
I agree, there aren't any more true NOS tubes. I've been able to buy tubes from reliable dealers that test as NOS.
@aLLeARS
I didn't know about this cheaper 6SN7;
premiumvacuumtubes.com
Which is the 6SN7 you compared it to, the tube with the vertical Linlai logo on the glass (US) ?
OR
The Chinese E-6SN7 with horizontal lettering?
I didn't know about this cheaper 6SN7;
Linlai™ Global HiFi 6SN7 vacuum tubes (pair) – Premium Vacuum Tubes
premiumvacuumtubes.com
Which is the 6SN7 you compared it to, the tube with the vertical Linlai logo on the glass (US) ?
OR
The Chinese E-6SN7 with horizontal lettering?
Matched Pair LINLAI E-6SN7 Elite-Series Flagship Audio Vacuum Tube Amp High-End | eBay
Quantity : Two Tubes( Matched Pair ). Two E-6SN7 ( Matched Pair ).
www.ebay.com
The advantage of going through Rachel in Canada is that she gets the best of the best. I use the Treasure Globe 6SN7-SE from her in a Supratek Cabernet preamp and have been happy with the results. Far better than any of the older tubes I've tried, the WWII Sylvania 6F8G's being my favorite otherwise (haven't tried the early 1950's Tung-Sol).
Grant Fidelity/ Premium Vacuum Tubes. She’s been running the operation since her husband, Ian Grant, died of lung cancer in 2014. He made a nice inexpensive tube dac, maybe my first. Rachel lives in Calgary, is of Chinese origin and that’s her Anglicized name. She travels to China with some frequency to make arrangements with tube companies and attend audio shows.
@highstream
Have you or do you plan to try the Global Elite Linlai? Maybe a shootout with the Treasure Globes?
Have you or do you plan to try the Global Elite Linlai? Maybe a shootout with the Treasure Globes?
No, I haven’t been, and the price is not conducive to experimenting. I’d actually like something equivalent to the Treasure Globes, but a touch warmer, but for now may have to find it elsewhere in the system. My current focus is on melding JL Audio e-110 subs with ATC SCM 50 home actives. As far as I’ve been able to find, TAS reviewer Neil Gabler and I may be the only ones in the world using subs with the 50’s. It’s in that context I’m thinking about a touch more warmth. If not a tube, maybe a fuse. The dealer who delivered the ATC’s last month brought over the highly regarded Weiss 502 dac for comparison with my Lampi Atlantic TRP. Listening with the latter, he commented about how clean the sound was (not clinical). The 502 lost the clean, but had a pleasing warmth, and I politely commented about that. Though to be fair, the TRP was using a QSA Red fuse.
Back to the topic at hand, the Linai’s sound like they’re on the neutral side of things.
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I'm trying to move my system more toward neutral. As you say, the Linlai Globals are not conducive to experimentation. The price is equal to a very good pair of NOS tubes (if there are any true NOS available).
I feel duped for grabbing a pair of the Chinese Linlai E-6SN7's early on due to the lower price on Ebay. Still, they're good sounding neutral tubes.
Thanks for your response. I'd love to hear those ATC 50's.
For a filtered hearing, there are a couple of YouTube videos from Pursuit Perfect System website (UK),
Thanks for these demos. First of all, I'm sure you realise it's not a fair fight; different setups, man's voice vs woman.
Having said that, I very much like the sound of the bottom clip; open, revealing, as realistic as it can be thru my Android.
Video #1 sounds closed in, active and passive. I think there's a room effect.
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