Sophia Electric 211

rollo · « **on:** 26 Oct 2009, 06:30 pm »

Just received a pair. Peviously used RCA 211s and GE211s for the Cyber 211 amp. The NOS tubes are getting a bit expensive and rare. The RCAs overall are my favorite. The GEs second.
Anyway back to the Sophia, well ladies and gentleman its a winner in every respect. Right out of the box. It took a few days to settle in but man for the asking price of $425, compared to the NOS superstars its the clear winner IMO.
If your looking at NOS try these first. As you know or may not know Sophia is famous for their 300B Meshplates. These 211s will be classics. Check out their 12AU7s and 12AX7s as well.

charles

nullspace · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Oct 2009, 07:10 pm »

Can you say whether these have the old-school thoriated tungsten filaments or oxide coated filaments that have become all too common on new 211 production? Thanks.

Regards,
John

jostber · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Sep 2012, 05:07 am »

Has anyone else tried these Sophia Electric 211's?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Sep 2012, 05:15 am »

Quote from: nullspace on 26 Oct 2009, 07:10 pm

Can you say whether these have the old-school thoriated tungsten filaments or oxide coated filaments that have become all too common on new 211 production? Thanks.

Regards,
John

I never saw the popular big triodes 211/845 etc with oxide cathode, only with the usual tungsten/thorium wire as in this image.

P.S.: In this link there is a reference to oxide cathode 211 as very antique tubes:
http://vinylsavor.blogspot.no/search/label/211

rollo · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Oct 2012, 02:40 pm »

Sorry for the long wait between posts. The Sophias took out my Amps. They lasted one week. Just stay away. far away.

charles

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Oct 2012, 07:24 pm »

Quote from: rollo on 7 Oct 2012, 02:40 pm

Sorry for the long wait between posts. The Sophias took out my Amps. They lasted one week. Just stay away. far away.

charles

Hi,
You mean say this 211 were damaged after a week??

P.S.: On the Sophia site there is no one tech info about its tubes(211mk3) only the price.

Gopher · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Oct 2012, 08:58 pm »

Wow. Thanks for sharing Charles, though I am a little confused. You recommended them in 2009 but they only lasted a week? Did you box them up as backups or something?

Either way I'll keep a distance, the Shugang 211-b is excellent enough for a current production.