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Best PLace To Buy Chinese Tubes?

Can anyone tell me some reliable places to buy Chinese tubes on line?
Grant Fidelity seems very expensive but I guess they are reliable.
Has anyone dealt with the Chinese site "Tube-Sale.com?"
They seem more reasonable but are their tube top quality?
Of course the Psvane factory site warns of inferior tubes sold on line and they direct you to the Grant Fidelity site. But $580.00 for a quad set of CV181 TII tubes is pretty high. Maybe that's the price you have top pay for quality?
I installed a matched pair of Psvane Premium Grade 12AX7-T MKII that I bought on Amazon and was really impressed with the sound. They replaced a matched pair of Tung-Sol re-issues. I am using matched Genalex Gold Lion KT88 for power tubes and am pleased with these. Not really sure how much power tubes affect overall sound however.
So right now just looking to replace the four 6SN7s. I have a Chinese integrate and it seems to like even the stock Chinese tubes over the Russians. Guess that stands to reason, no? Maybe it will really appreciate some premium Chinese tubes? Can't hurt!
I appreciate any suggestions.
wcc10

Showing 4 responses by wcc10

wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
I'm not one to put a lot of stock in Cryo treated electronics. I'm not an expert but from all that I've read I think the jury is out on the benefits and they do demand a premium price. I am curious, though, if the Psvane tubes that became noisy after only 6 months were power tubes or preamp tubes?
My thought in buying Chinese tubes was to get them directly from a Chinese source. The Shuguang Treasure CV181-Z offered by the Tube Store (& others) is an older variation of this tube from what I can see. The Treasure MKII is a newer version. I have not see anything that proves it is better however.
I did come across an interesting site via the DHgate site. Vic Audio-Hi-Fi appears to be a Chinese outlet with great prices for Psvane & Shuguang tubes. I'm trying to get more info on them. Sometimes when it's too good to be true, it's just that. Too good to be true!
Thanks to you all for the input!

wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
If someone pays an exorbitant price who’s fault is that?
True, I suppose that’s correct. And I guess you can put almost anything in your deep freezer and have a go at it. But I didn’t want to start a debate on cryo treated electronics. I just want to buy legit Chinese tubes at a good price! Thanks.
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
Good input all!
Sure, I know I do not have to use Chinese tubes. I've used both Chinese, re-issue Russian & NOS GE.
My interest in the upgrade Chinese tubes is mainly due to the fact that I do have 2 Psvane Premium 12ax7s now which I feel greatly improved sound over Tung-Sol re-issues & stock Chinese tubes. Thus my desire to try the CV-181-T MKII.
I can understand increased brightness with that tube, the Psvane 6SN7s were a little brighter but not to the point where it is too much. I feel they opened up the sound stage some especially in Triode.
I've found some possible locations via Alibaba. I've not had good luck with electronics on eBay at all! Maybe I'll try Alibaba unless anyone can tell me why not to!
Thanks all!
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
To reflect on my experience with the Tung-Sol re-issue 6SN7, I came across a review of the Psvane CV-181-T MKII from 2012 by Srajan Ebaen on the 6 Moons website. This is how he described the Tung-Sol;
"any longer session should show that this effect is achieved by shifting listener focus on more foreground data. One becomes rather less conscious of surrounding supportive threads. This presentation felt more like upper mid-level transistors. The prime quality was vivid clarity with a touch of hyper focus and reduced depth of field"

Exactly how I found this tube in my system.
I found it produced a very shallow sound stage and it did not have that lush tube sound. I'm sure all of this is system dependent, so they may sound totally different in a different preamp.
Ebaen 's review of the Psvane CV-181-T MKII came down to this;

"The Psvane tube played it denser. It soundstaged deeper, was texturally wetter ('bloomier' or more luscious) and also felt a bit more laid back and settled." "any rhythmically incisive complex-layered fare filled out without getting even a tiny bit opaque or 'blended'."

I believe he was comparing the Psvane to Shuguang's Black Treasure CV-181.

Review link below:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/psvane/1.html


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