Takayuki 300B vs Western Electric NEW Production 300B

I am interested to hear feedback also.  Unfortunately, I need 16 300B tubes for my mono amps.  That is super pricey.  I currently have Golden Lion and they have been ok but I am having to bias them a lot.

I think that you mean Takatsuki.

No matter what, get a small supply before the gouge starts.. They have gone up 20% across the board on Name brands.. Surplus eastern block small valves, are still stable. There is a LOT of surplus, there is no shortage there.

300s were meant to last 100,000 PLUS hours not MINUS hours. I ran 2 pairs of WE for 5 years in the late 90s. They didn't wear very much.. In the 90s Western Electrics were 500.00 a pair used with 80% left in the tank..

I put at least 25,000 hours on them they were at 75% or better.

Transporting them and NOT packing them right.. BIG no no.. I like soft thick foam.

I am following more because I haven’t heard the new WE 300Bs other than in their room at AXPONA 2019 in their amps. They sounded great, but that was a very controlled environment. Would like to hear about real world usage and how they are doing. I am considering using them instead of KRs when I ship my Art Audio Harmony Silver Amps.

The Takasukis are tremendous but it in the end, it depends on the amp you are running them. The Taksukis to me are at there very best when not being driven hard and are biased so max output on the amp is 6-8w. I would never put them in a push-pull.

In a push-pull, I prefer KRs simply because they have a 10w higher plate dissipation and are designed to be driven hard without compromising tube life.

For someone who needs sixteen 300Bs, yikes! IMO, best cost/performance value ratio are the Emission Labs 300Bs. They are not inexpensive, but they are typcially $675 a pair (~$600 if you order 16). They are a clear step up from the Gold Lions. However, if you have the budget, KRs would do better though for the reasons mentioned above as I assume that must be a push-pull design.  

willgolf in about 15 more years start looking for new valves.. That is the ONLY reason to use that valve.

Longevity!

I had 97-A Western Electric amps.. They were nice amps. No body knew what they were back then.

They came out of an old theater. I never had to buy a single valve in the 12 years I had them.

They last for EVER. What they really don’t like. Vibration.

Regards

Ooops.....Yes Takatsuki. I missed that one.

I am leaning towards the Takatsuki in my preamp/Integrated. It should perform well.

I just feel the new issue Western Electric 300b's would be quite good too.
But of course hearing is believing, and I will not purchase two pairs of different brand high end 300b's.

I may hold back on the purchase of 300b's for my Vinnie Rossi L2iSE as Vinnie is about to release a newer higher end amp line very soon. Just curious to see if he is keeping the 300b's in his design, which I suspect he will.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a lending library/rental service for high end tubes? I count 23 companies making 300b, with 1-4 varieties each. I have a pair of Takatsuki that have been superseded in my SET by KR globes.

I have a couple Takatsuki 300B tubes in my Woo head amp. They replaced the stock tubes. No comparison in sound with original tubes, the Takatsuki are way better. But I have not tried new WEs. I think my research pointed without fail to the Takatsuki as being better sounding. They put a lot of work into their development, and after all they are Japanese… masters of taking a good design and incrementally improving to perfection. 

The new production WE 300b tubes arrived this last week… will start running them sometime over the weekend (enjoying the Takatsuki tubes immensely ATM)… will update here I guess?

Just ordered 16 WE tubes for my Canary Audio Grand Reference Mono amps.  They are currently being tested and broken in prior to shipping to me.  I might order a couple of spares just in case.

@lsmith42 Looking forward to your comparison.
-Alex

I talked to a guy who has both the TAK’s and the new WE’s in a VInnie Rossi L2i. He didn’t come off any detailed comparison other than to say  if forced to pick between the WE and the TAKs, he’d pick the WE, that it’s everything a 300b should be… Other than that, I think I read elsewhere that the WE’s have tighter bass than the TAK’s. 

Hey Xsparky. I too have an L2i-SE and am thinking about trying out some different 300B’s. I keep bouncing around between the Takatsuki, Elrog and new issue WE’s and was wondering what you settled on, if anything. 
Thanks

lsmith42 any word on your WE / Takatsuki comparison? 

Hello, I have both.   Tak’s are more detailed and neutral.  Seduce you with their air and grace.  Tad more dynamic than the WE’s with slightly better imaging. WE’s are sweeter, more midrange focused, still very smooth and great tonal saturation.  Cannot lose with either.  I’ve had both for months and still don’t know which I like better.  I think the tak’s are a little more true and reference grade whereas the WE could be considered a more enjoyable (sugar coated) listen. 

Adding to that: WE’s has bigger bass, TA is more lean and sculpted. WE projects vocals through the midrange, the Tak’s are tilted up and deliver them more through the treble region. Soundstage size is similar, but as mentioned above Tak’s have more laser beam imaging, WE imaging has less negative space separating the instruments and is more liquid.

if you have a hot tweeter then the Tak’s should be ruled out. WE’s are more forgiving in the treble. Both have top notch purity. I think I prefer the WE’s as the Tak’s can kinda wear you down after some time.