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Emission Labs 300B vs Shuguang Black Treasure

Hi All,
I want to upgrade the 300B tubes on my Wavac EC-300B amp. At the moment I am still using the stock tubes which are a pair of standard Shuguang 300B-98. I did try out a Shuguang trasure tube some time back. It made for an over all richer sounding tones and slightly lower noise floor. However I am more intrigued by the emission Labs standard 300B solid plate tubes. They seem to be built better and claim to have lower distortion too. Can some one help me with the sonic signature of the Emission labs 300b vs Shuguang treasure ? I also thought of considering the Sophia Mesh or Carbon tubes but I am a bit skeptical about their reliability.
pani
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 
Pani,
The only negative thing I've heard about the KR tube is that certain batches/generations had early tube failure issues. Sonically it's said to be a very good sounding 300b. The EML as far as I know has no reliability issue and are priced a bit less than the KR tubes. In terms of sound quality I suspect that you'd like both.
Charles,
brf
1,715 posts
 
With respect to KR 300's, I would only buy brand new and from an authorized dealer that offers a warrantee.

KR had reliability issues in the past in which KR stopped offering warrantee replacements, therefore, forcing some tube amp manufacture to look for another high quality 300B tubes for their amps. For the asking price of a pair of new KR 300, why bother when you can get a pair of Emission Labs.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 
Brf,
For a while the KR 300b was the tube of top choice for Isael Blume's Coincident Frankenstein SET amp. He loved the sound but he didn't receive factory support for early failing tubes and had to discontinue their use. I know there are people who are using the KR 300b without any problems, the problem has likely been addressed is my assumption. Probably many of the earlier year models are fine, the question is which vintage do you avoid.
Charles,
brf
1,715 posts
 
The problem lies in the fact that there are a lot of NOS KR tubes around today being sold by "unauthorized" KR dealers who are "actively" misrepresenting themselves as USA distributors. If you google KR tubes USA you will get the USA KR distributor but when you go to KR's main website it makes no mention of said USA distributor and directs you to another USA site.

KR has a lot of rogue dealers who offer no warrantee support. My buddy bought a pair of ballon 300b which ended up have some loose internals and was not offered a replacement. He is so worried about a short, the tubes remain in a box.

I wouldn't recommend KR tubes based on my experience and knowledge. If one does decide to go with KR tubes, I would contact KR in the Czech for an authorized reseller. My 2 cents.
jwm
918 posts
 
If your friend was in US I could test his tubes with my Amplitrex tube tester for free.
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