300B replacement


I recently had a Western Electric 300B die on me. If I replaced the one with a new or newer tube, would i hear an imbalance in the two channels?

Other options i am considering are the Sophia mesh plates, Sophia princess mesh or carbon plates, valve art, or Shuguang nickel plates.

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

thank you in advance,

Buxter
buxter66
Metralla, I also have a pair of the TJ (Full Music) meshies (i.e., the ones with the globe shaped bottle as opposed to the princess or "ST" shaped bottle). In comparison with the Sophia Carbon Plate and Western Electric 300Bs, the TJ globe meshies sound a bit thin in my system (that is, lacking in weight in the upper bass and lower midrange frequencies.). Both the Western Electric and Sophia Carbon Plate 300Bs are notably better sounding output tubes in my amps.

As for the comparison between the two solid-plate tubes, the Western Electric 300Bs have that magic midrange, but they lose on just about every other account to the Sophia Carbon Plates. The Carbon Plate tubes are significantly more dynamic and much more extended at the frequency extremes than the Western Electric 300Bs. And the Sophia Carbon Plates give up very little ground to the Western Electrics in the midrange department. As a result, my Western Electric 300Bs sit on the shelf collecting dust while the Sophia Carbon Plates get all the air time.

As for the operating requirements of the Sophia Princess 300Bs, the Carbon Plates are a solid-plate design that is 100% interchangeable with standard Western Electric spec. 300Bs.

However, I'm not certain about the Sophia Princess Mesh Plate 300Bs. The Sophia Electric web site seems to indicate they are 100% interchangeable with normal solid-plate 300Bs. However, I recall that the TJ meshies required a reduction in the plate voltage. I think it would be prudent to call Richard at Sophia Electric before running the Princess Mesh Plate 300Bs in an amp designed for a standard Western electric spec. 300B.

How does the above description line up with your listening experience with the Full Music meshies and the Western Electric current production 300Bs in your audio system?
Cincy Bob - I bought my amplifier with the Sophias tubes in it and was not aware there was a carbon plate or mesh plate option. From what I can see my tubes match the photos in the link I posted and documentation that came with them does not specify either.
Cincy Bob I did find the link to the carbon plate and I do have the mesh

sheepish am I...
66,

The SP Carbon beats out the WE and SP Mesh by a long shot in my system.
Cincy,

Can the A/B test with the SP Carbon/Mesh. The Carbon will win out by a lot as I have/had both. One Mesh blew out and I have one with 400 hrs on it. What to do with it?

You have good ears as I second your opinion on the WE and SP Carbon word for word. You took the keyboard right out of my hands. =8^)

Phil,

I do believe you do not have the Mesh plate but the Globe.