Lapsan, what we are looking for is the mesh plate version which they are out of stock on. I am not sure how the solid plate and the mesh plate compare.
David - in an earlier post Mr P (Mark) mentioned he had both the mesh and solid plate versions, we'll get an idea of the differences (if any) when he posts his findings. Phil
I completed my comparison of the Emission Lab 5U4G solid plate and mesh plate tubes in my Transporter this afternoon. This activity was originally planned for yesterday afternoon, but a power outage due to high winds put that plan on hold. Just another reason to get off the grid.
During the comparison I used two songs I was very familiar with. The first was vocal/acoustic based, “Cry of a Tiny Baby” off the Columbia Records Radio Hour CD. The second was “New South Africa” off the Live Art CD by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. This song has a lot going on instrumentally.
To compare I listened to a song three times with the solid plate tube, changed to the mesh plate tube, let it warm up, listened to the same song two times, changed back to the solid plate, let it warm up and listened to the same song one more time. I did this for each of the two songs. My system had been playing for 90 minutes prior to starting. All tubes had >100 hours on them.
The differences in my system were subtle. The solid plate was a little more incisive/tighter with a touch more drive, most noticeable in the bass. The stage presentation with the mesh plate plate was slightly further back than with the solid plate, even with the front of my speakers instead of slightly in front of them. There were a couple of instances where I thought I heard a little more resolution with the mesh plate. That was about it. In my system these were not huge differences. For me the solid plate will be my main tube as my system is a little laid back at this time.
A couple of other notes. In my system the RCA Cleartops are magic with either the mesh plate or solid plate EM Lab 5U4G. While the 6N1Ps provided a little more resolution, there is no comparison in the tone and timbre areas. I have not tried the 6H30DRs and to be honest I’m in no hurry. This tube combination along with the Hyper-Drive mod has sent my system to new level. Also, the two 5U4Gs in series in my system was too much of a good thing. I experimented with putting one in the Transporter and one in my amplifier. While the sound was not bad, it was clearly better with just the one in the Transporter.
Disclaimer - Results are based on my system and YMMV in yours.
System = Transporter with Hyper Drive Mod - First Sound Presence Mk II Preamp - Yamamoto 300B SET amp - Zu Definition Pro Mk II Speakers
Let me know if you have any questions.
Mark
