Where did you find the Linlai E-6SN7 for 75USD? I see on their global site 305USD for their top grade amd 265USD for the pass grade for a pair of matched tubes.
By the way has anyone tried the Psvane TREASURE CV181-Z ?
Fwiw Credit where credit is due only 7 days from ordering on AliExpress shipping from China to the UK with multiple tracking and customs clearance updates along the way I think is excellent service
You don't really believe that do you why would domestic Chinese market buyers settle for second rate tubes they are in all likelihood a bigger market than what Linlai export they just buy in bulk with a massive discount it's just grey market economy.
It's also a bit of a strange concern compared to buying expensive old nos tubes with all the associated risks that endeavour entails especially if your looking for a pair or quad.
That is what they are saying, and i have no reason, not to believe them, the Chinese market is indeed large, but international High End market is larger.
I am new to tubes but i am very aware what is going on with the NOS market.
I am also getting to know a little what's happening in the Chinese market.
Linlai is trying to become boutique and Psvane wants to be the biggest factory in China (world?). From what i see from the pictures, Linlai has a long way to go to become boutiqe.
And having said that, it is obvious that they do not want to sell out of China less than perfect tubes, in order to make a good name for themselves.
Buying blind form AliExpress is not the way to go as far as tubes are concerned, at least for me.
Fwiw Credit where credit is due only 7 days from ordering on AliExpress shipping from China to the UK with multiple tracking and customs clearance updates along the way I think is excellent service
I have had similar good experiences with AliExpress- merchandise to the US - arrives in less than a week and the entire shipping process is very well documented.
Had a problem with one item (not tubes) and had no problems getting a quick refund.
You don't really believe that do you why would domestic Chinese market buyers settle for second rate tubes they are in all likelihood a bigger market than what Linlai export they just buy in bulk with a massive discount it's just grey market economy.
It's also a bit of a strange concern compared to buying expensive old nos tubes with all the associated risks that endeavour entails especially if your looking for a pair or quad.
Not sure what risks are involved with NOS tubes as long as you are buying from a dealer. I’m sure Linlai does sell the same tubes domestically as they export. I’m also sure they sell tubes domestically that they do not export. They could be tubes that are out of spec, lower emission, or maybe they do sound different. I’m sure of this because they tell us that’s what they do. Maybe the Aliexpress tubes are the same as the ones through the main site maybe they aren’t. That’s part of the risk you take on with the lower cost. The other risk is warranty and shipping back to China if there’s a problem. I understand the appeal of both prices if you want to hear these tubes.
The problem here is not Aliexpress, i have over 500 transactions never any major problem, always got a refund when goods were not as described. Sending back items is a huge problem though.
The truth lies somewhere in the middle as far as Linlai is concerned.
In fact, you only buy genuine Linlai from certified dealers.
Grant Fidelity or BTB Elektronik in Germany are authorised to sell and get them from LinLai.
You can recognise it by the fact that the print is different.
What you can buy on Aliexpress and elsewhere in China are possible fakes.
But if they are Linlai then they have a different print and you are probably not buying the Elite version but the Hifi version that Linlai also sells.
That's why you should be careful with Linlai.
In general it is not a bad tube, I have 2 Elite pairs and like them as New Stock.
They conqurate well against some Nos tubes out there.
And leaves the new stock like TS,EH,JJ behind.
But there are also certified buyers in China I can think of, you just have to find them.
Linlai probably doesn't have the capacity of PS Vane either to be clear.
Their portfolio also shows that they only sell certain tubes and don't want to serve the wholesale market here.
"What you can buy on Aliexpress and elsewhere in China are possible fakes"
There are a lot of genuine companies trading on AliExpress some big international outlets and some small mom and pop outfits like everything just do your research and purchase from reputable dealers or factory outlets. For a billion plus Chinese it's just their version of Amazon!
I would just buy these if I were still out hunting quality 6SN7 tubes. That price looks very tempting to me. I would love to try these new production Chinese tubes someday, maybe when the price tag looks like this.
The G73r and C3g both have higher gain than the 6sn7. The c3m is similar to the 6sn7 in gain when run as a triode but have 20v filaments. The c3o is the 6v version of the c3m. If you’re getting adapters anyway you could also look into 2x 6j5. Sylvania round plates are a good choice for detail IMO.
If you want to stick with actual 6sn7 the bottom getter tall Sylvania 6sn7 have a good rep for detail. The so-called “ bad boys” are a subset of that type. Personally I’d go ahead and get the w hole version and save money. I don;t think they sound all that different that the three hole version. They are a lot easier to get and much less expensive than the best versions of the Melz. The Melz also have a reputation of needing to be resoldered. By all accounts they are great tubes once you get them in working order.
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