Linlai E 6sn7 tubes

After approx' 4 years of being a poster within this Thread, and following a period of paucity purchasing of alternate Vintage 6SN7's, over the years since my first contribution, I now also own Linlai Elite 6SN7'.

Today I started out on my investigation to the Value of the LE 7's, and am to run this in parallel with other Vintage 7's as the comparison.

Today it was proven through Testing that my own collection of Vintage 7's are measuring close to Factory Spec' or being notable for measuring above the Spec. All are notable for having no Leakage. Some of these Valves are historically tested and are pretty much as the original recorded measurement.

The Supplied Matched LE '7 are also Tested in relation to Test Info Supplied with the Valves. One Valve being supplied as a 8.5 ( Tested - No Leakage - 8.6 / 8.8) -- One Valve being supplied as a 8.5 ( Tested - No Leakage - 8.8 / 9.5) Both Valves are above LE '7s supplied recorded Values and the actual measurements taken, creep nearer the Original recording of a Factory Optimal Spec' for the 6SN7.

The arrival of the LE '7 has peaked Wider Interest, as my friend who has measured the Valves, has a wide selection of 6SN7's ranging from the early 50's - 60's -- 60' - 70's -- 70's - 80's, etc. Within this collection are Perfect Matched Valves on both Anodes available as Matched Pairs for what is to commence. With my own Vintage 7's and my friends loans of Valves, comparisons could quite easily extend to 10+  Valve Brands being used across the era of Vintage Production. As there is noit an intention to select the better Valve for the circuit selected, but to discover which is perceived as a mimic as a End Sound, all Valves are an option to put to the trials.   

The intention is to give a accurate account, formed from a small group of assessors, who will receive demo's of LE 7's in comparisons to other 7's across a few systems. Where the LE '7 offers a mimic of a Certain Valve Types End Sound and where there is discernible difference noticed, will be reported back on. I don't see where there is room for assessments as being the better Valve was, just where the LE 7's was perceived as a close mimic and unanimously agreed should be more than enough.

The LE 7's will also be loaned out to other systems to bump up the hours on them and check them a few times throughout year one usage to see if the recorded measurements are showing changes. 

Note: This is solely to support this thread and not an attempt to disprove any other reports offered. This thread made me interested in the LE 7 as being a viable option over a Vintage Valve and I hope the upcoming investigations offers a furthering of the information already shared.    

Owned a new pair of LE 6SN7 and compared them to many of the better old stock 6SN7 family of tubes from the 40’s - 70’s.  Old stock tubes have always sounded superior to the LE 6sn7’s and other new construction 6SN7’s until I recently bought a pair of Sophia 6SN7 Blue Glass on a recommendation from a well respected friend.  I have never been a fan of Sophia tubes prior  but I am a fan of their 6SN7’s now!  

The initial trialling period is deferred until near the end of March, lets see if a pair oof Blue Glass Sophia is able to be added to the list of '7s.  

@pindac Funny you brought back this thread.

In the beginning of Feb. I took ownership of the Aero DAC. It came with GE 12sn7s NOS. I had the Wiim Ultra as my streamer which has REW/EQ & after a few days I did a sweep to get the Aero to jive. Prio delivery of the DAC I purchased a set of Global Es. Having them in my Pre since 2022 & still lovin them. The GE were dialed in to my liking, so I left them in a week. The LinLai Global Es were sitting on the shelf next to my new DAC & were calling me to give them a chance to flex their muscles (LOL) I swapped out the GEs & gave them a few days to warm up. With no REW, they had that LINLAI sound that I love. After a few days later I did the REW sweep on the Wiim. The GEs went into the stash box.

Last week I took ownership of an Innuos Pulsar (used).  Not crazy about the house sound of the Pulsar with the Aero/LINLAI tubes, I started a week of rolling to get everything to jive. After many rolls with NOS tubes, I settled for my K/R  chrome tops. After a few hrs, I noticed my foot was tappin with my new toys! The Globals will have to stay in my stash if I ever have a tube failure in my Pre.

I've been criticized from a member here on another thread (audiogon) on swapping tubes. I guess he has solid state equipment with tone controls & can't feel the LOVE of tube swapping.

Happy listening! Dan    

It’s great to hear from you guys. The Blue glass Sophia have always intrigued me. I will be interested to see how they stack up.  
       The Linlai’s are still in play here. I really haven’t been pressed with having to switch them out. I’m still pleased with what they bring to the table. I believe I’m at about 1500-2000 hours.  Unfortunately,I stopped logging usage a while back.