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Sophia Electric tube quality

I wonder if others have experienced poor quality with the Royal Princess 300b tubes. Purchased a new pair and one shorted out in a couple of months in their amp. Sophia replaced it and the new pair were extremely microphonic -- rang like bells when tapped with just my thumbnail. Sophia's response to my complaint was, "Stop tapping the tubes.
wfowenmd
psag
450 posts
 
I estimate something like a thousand hours on mine, and they've performed flawlessly. They are about 5 years old.
sounds_real_audio
677 posts
 

I should just add that as good as their tubes are their amplifiers are as good or better...They make a sweet little pair of 300B mono blocks that I used to drive a pair of Tannoy Kensington SE's to rock and roll volume in a large room with 10 foot ceilings. Not shy little flee powered.
elevick
2,439 posts
 
Tapping your thumbnail? Why don't you tap your cartridge or lick a hot tube?
Play the amp normally and see if it echoes or picks up too much noise.
gsm18439
738 posts
 
I had no problems with my pair. And I found Richard et al to be very helpful and accommodating.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
I had a faulty Royal Princess 300b tube and they replaced it promptly and were very polite, I was impressed. That tube had wonderful sound in my SET amplifier.
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