Just thought I'd post this link to the announcement that WE will once again produce more 300B's and perhaps some more tubes at a new facility in Georgia.

If anything else, it should keep scalpers from driving up the prices of the ones on the market now.

 

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2013/jun/23/western-electric-plugs-into-rossville/

I love the idea of this. But I have been burned by these tubes before (so to speak). Lots of noise problems. Jeez. I might have to buy a pair anyway against my better judgement.

This is good news, but I'd be much happier if the great-sounding, well-priced Svetlana 300B's went into production again BUT with improved quality control.

The last posted price for these on the WE website was $1200. Seems kind of high unless they can sort out the inconsistencies. There are more reliable high quality 300b out there now. By reputation EML, black treasure and Sophia royal princess come to mind. And for more money one can now get takatsuki 300b. WE took WAY too long to reintroduce production and they may have been left behind. Although the cache of the name will never die. And they will be one of, if not the only 300b made in the USA. A tough call. 1200 per pair might be more than I want to spend.

Edited July 22, 201312 yr by tjkurita

What a great news!!!

 

Without questions the BEST sounding 300B ever produced period.

 

I wish the price is down to earth.

Would like to hear the new 274's when they are out as well.

Elrog will be making a new production 300b

Genalex Gold Lion 300B's new production, saw some people going nuts over these so might be of interest.

http://www.tonefactory.nl/genalex-gold-lion-300b-matched?___store=en&___from_store=nl

I've heard the Gold Lions,  albeit a few years back and they were ho hum.

Aha well nevermind then

The vintage ones last for many decades, some say a lifetime, so good to see a legend rise again. 

 

BTW does anyone use a 300b based amp for headphones?

Edited January 28, 201412 yr by complin

The vintage ones last for many decades, some say a lifetime, so good to see a legend rise again. 

 

BTW does anyone use a 300b based amp for headphones?

Doesn't eddie current balancing act use them?

It's unclear from that article if anything beyond the name of western electric and the location is the same. What makes us think the new tubes will be of similar quality? We have seen others try to duplicate old tubes with varying degrees of success, but mostly not close.

Who is the us and we that you're referring to?  What is unclear is to why you're responding to yourself and still saying nothing of consequence.  You should do some hard thinking before posting again.

I hope WE re-releases the 274A/B rectifiers, having just bought a pair of EML b versions they were not cheap.