Amazon is getting bad at this. Stupid high prices just to keep the ad open. Chances are they don't have them in stock, but they keep the listing at a price nobody would consider so Amazon doesn't take the listing down. A few years ago the ~$1200 laptop I was looking to buy were being listed for $5k - Lenovo was mega backordered and nobody had stockI saw this earlier while getting some stuff on Amazon- I was like “Whut?”
For the first one, I cannot find these on Linlai's global-facing website. It could be Linlai's wholesale products, or it could be someone's silkscreening operation. At least "Linlaitube" is a trademark registered in China that apparently has the same owner of the "Linlai" trademark registered in the US (长沙强胜电光源有限公司 or Changsha Qiangsheng Electric Light Source Co., Ltd.). I don't know how strict or lax Chinese authorities are with respect to trademark enforcement within their country.
Please tell us about your experience once the tubes arrive.
I have the 6N8S Fotons in my WA22 on rotation in that position with other variants from time to time. It's a very punchy tube that stands out on the low end of the frequency response. I consider bass its undeniable strength, so it tends to be there for mainly rock and hip hop. Otherwise, I think it is a very good "value" tube and I have zero complaints. It certainly is serviceable in other respects.
Yes... but desirable to whose ears? I prefer my 50s 1578s. It's the smoother decade. Generally the 60s 1578 are brighter. The 70s 1578 are brighter and harsher yet. I don't like them, but others do. Have a friend who enjoys his early 80s 1578 - which can peel the fabric off your phones with a single cymbal crash.Hey all, can anyone tell me which Melz 1578 is the most desirable one? I had it saved somewhere, but can't find for some reason now.
Thanks
If it's not asking too much I wonder if you could either describe or link to a description of the physical differences or distinguishing marks between these decades. I do have a single pair of Melz 1578 and find them to be very evenly balanced - it would be of interest to me identify their age.Yes... but desirable to whose ears? I prefer my 50s 1578s. It's the smoother decade. Generally the 60s 1578 are brighter. The 70s 1578 are brighter and harsher yet. I don't like them, but others do. Have a friend who enjoys his early 80s 1578 - which can peel the fabric off your phones with a single cymbal crash.
50s and 60s 1578s are the most desirable for me.
The production date is too easy to identify... maybe too easy. Stamped right on the glass. Here's a '63 - from this very thread. The two digits following the short dash at the bottom is the year. Also note that, @Paladin79 is our resident expert and curator of the largest known 1578 collection in the free world.
Since you say they sound wonderful, then we could say, definitively, they're from 1957.Indeed, that's easy. However it's not often I've seen them new in the box and that stamp on the glass is all too often missing. I mean there must be some physical differences between them in order that they sound different and I'm curious what those might be. As you mentioned earlier "desirable for who..." but mine sound wonderful and it would nice to nail down what decade they are from.
Cheers,
Robert
Try to use a strong light and see if you can make out a circular logo there is a year located there. 1957 is certainly feasible.Since you say they sound wonderful, then we could say, definitively, they're from 1957.
Or... you could ask the assistance of the free world's 1578 curator, @Paladin79.
Or I could go dig through boxes and compare mine, get distracted by an errant Foton and forget the task at hand. Your choice.
lol I had not read the whole discussion yet but your comments on the great years are correct. I also have some incredible variations from the 50’s of course but 53-the early 60’s are the golden years. You are most kind in mentioning my collection. I was also involved in what may well have been the largest 6SN7 comparison of all time.You want @WildPhydeaux to use a strong light... all I have are strong words and weak eyes.
