[kujokku]

 I'm interested in these because my 300b amp has an adjustable bias. I'd like to hear your impessions of the sound but probably most importantly how dependable are they? Their quite spendy so I'd like to know if they will last. I have heard problems as to the reliability of the older regular 300b EML's, so what about the 300BXLS?

[h00hbt]

Hello kujokku

I have both makes (EML & KR) 300B and 300BXLS. Both are very good value for money, well built and very high standard, best of the new production tubes these days. So what are the differences? EML have a unique plate construction compared with KR. KR is more like Western Electric. I favor KR because I experience a better bandwith, high and low. KR is slightly more expencive than EML but I would recommend KR. If you have an amp that can supply the XLS tubes you will experience high power triode sound.

Rgds

/H

[kujokku]

 Hello h00hbt, How many hours do you have an your 300bxls KRs and EMLs? Also the standard Kr and EML 300bs how do you like their sound and how many hours do you have on them? Have you ever compared them to Black Treasures? Thanks

[h00hbt]

Hello kujokku

Im not sure how many hours I have on the different tubes, I have had them for several years. All are "broken in" at this time. I havent heard the black treasures yet so I cant make a comparision. I can on the other hand compare them to Sovtec, Western Electric, Electro Harmonics, and my concluesion is that KR are my favourites next to EML. WE are for collectors and people with to much money on their hands, and don´t come near KR and EML in deep bass.

Rhds

/H

[versus rider]

Hi H, you say the xls doesn't have good bandwidth, this may not be a problem for me as I am going to use them from 350Hz -6500Hz in my J Sound labs amp driving  my tractrix 200Hz horn. Would you say they are good within their limited bandwidth. I am waiting for the postman for a pair of these tubes at this time

[Triode Pete]

The KR 300BXLS is an excellent sounding & robustly made vacuum tube. It feels heavy with thick glass & is built like a tank. I've had a pair for awhile and they serve as a substitute for my Western Electric 300B's... the midrange magic of the WE 300B cannot be beat (there really is no substitute for the original 300B).

I'm not familiar with EML's... I've had Cetron 300B's, Sophia Mesh plate 300B's & Sovtek 300B's...

Cetron (Made in USA) are OK, just OK (not recommended). The Sophia mesh plate are coloured, slower sounding, overly rich, more suited to very bright speaker systems. Sovtek 300B's are a good tube & great value compared to the others.

You can't really go wrong with the KR 300BXLS. If I didn't have the Western Electric's, they be my 300B of choice.

My $0.02,
Pete