Western Electric 300B's

pro_crip · 10517

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Offline pro_crip

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on: May 19, 2010, 01:24:06 PM
According to WE's website they're releasing new 300B tubes late may/early june. Are they yanking my chain or do I have something to look forward to? I really want a pair of them for my Paramounts and thanks to the settlement, I've got the funds to splurge. Thanks for any help.

Rich

Richard J Feldman
Professional Gimp,connoisseur of Bourbon and Vinyl, metalhead

Crack, Extended FPIII, Eros, Paramount 300B's (in the midst of construction)

Tune down, smoke up


Offline Grainger49

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Reply #1 on: May 19, 2010, 01:32:16 PM
The company who is manufacturing 300B tubes labeled as Western Electric has been in business for about 10 years.  They have gone to extreme measures to replicate the process that WE did when making the 300B.  The startup included a retired WE engineer who knew the process.  

From what you say there has been an interruption in the production.  But it is not a new thing.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2010, 01:34:22 PM by Grainger49 »



Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #2 on: May 19, 2010, 01:51:59 PM
If I wanted to splurge on 300B's, I would look towards EML more than new WE's.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Paul Joppa

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Reply #3 on: May 19, 2010, 02:39:04 PM
They've been going to re-start production after their move "in a couple months" for several years now, if what I hear on the Asylum SET forum is right. Best bet is to check there for a real-world update. Gordon Rankin has a close relationship with them and is usually authoritative when he says something about current-production WE tubes. My guess is, the economy took some wind out of their sails - but they still have the tooling etc. so I'd be surprised if production did not eventually resume.

Paul Joppa


Offline braubeat

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Reply #4 on: May 20, 2010, 05:43:57 AM
Anybody tried these? The reviews I have read say they are awesome. I wish I could afford some. $350 on ebay.
Michael



Offline Grainger49

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Reply #5 on: May 20, 2010, 08:49:40 AM
I have only heard them in a PP 300B amplifier in my home in Atlanta.  It drove my (old inefficient) speakers very well and sounded beautiful.  There were 4 300B tubes glowing! 

I haven't heard them in an SET amp.



Offline 2wo

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Reply #6 on: May 20, 2010, 06:32:17 PM
Grainger, you live in Atlanta?

 Why didn

John S.


Offline Grainger49

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Reply #7 on: May 21, 2010, 12:07:03 AM
I moved to Knoxville 4.5 years ago.  I was born, raised and lived in Atlanta for over 50 years.  That is where I sold audio gear.



Offline pro_crip

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Reply #8 on: June 06, 2010, 05:32:51 AM
Sorry Paul but even Gordon Rankin doesn't know http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=set&n=59443&highlight=western+electric+300b. Maybe I'll go with the EML, but I also heard good things about the TJ mesh plates and the JJ's and a million other brands.

Richard J Feldman
Professional Gimp,connoisseur of Bourbon and Vinyl, metalhead

Crack, Extended FPIII, Eros, Paramount 300B's (in the midst of construction)

Tune down, smoke up


Offline Rick58

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Reply #9 on: June 06, 2010, 01:34:14 PM
http://store.tubedepot.com/we-300b.html says late 2010 or 2011 for 'new' Westrex 300Bs ...

I purchased and like the Sophia mesh plates ... I never have heard WEs or others besides the EHs that came with the Paramounts (which sound excellent as well).

Paramount 300Bs (Sophia Princess mesh plates, Siemens & Halske NOS 12AT7s, V-Cap coupling and Mundorf Silver/Oil parafeed cap upgrades, nice!)


Offline chrisby

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Reply #10 on: June 07, 2010, 09:51:19 AM
Well, FWIW, Srajan at 6moons has listened to a few 300B types (including some of the true exotica), and rather likes the Shuguang Black Treasures

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/shuguang/treasureseries.html


At least the availability of these is a bit less uncertain.


Chris Bobiak
Victoria BC Canada

you don't really believe everything you think, do you?