PSVANE "Horizon" 300B: Five Tube Shootout!

Today we are doing a 300B tube shootout, via a subjective listening test in my zero feedback, single ended 300B DIY amp I have previously featured on this channel.
I believe I have one of the first batches of this new line of high end tubes being released this summer by PSVANE. You can buy them at my affiliate link on Amazon here:
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[@chrislj2890]

Doggonit, you just convinced me I didn't need a 300B amp and now this. Quit toying with my emotions, lol.

[@ramenhausten]

The 300 is the holy grail!

[@MasterofPlay7]

​@@ramenhaustensomebody would say is 2a3

[@TheMax1230]

or the 45

[@veristaconvicto9881]

@@ramenhausten The holy grail of tube amps is a well-designed amp with high quality transformers that are suited to the type of tube. I've had single ends with 811s, 845s, and now I'm using a push pull. My operas and jazz have never sounded so realistic, delicate, and detailed as they do now.

[@paulmorris1225]

Rumour has it the Shuguang factory's back up and running!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

That would be good news!

[@JohnScheppler]

Thanks for doing this! This would be a cool idea for other tubes like EL34 or EL84. The tube options there are so many.

[@Nearest_Neighbor]

Can't wait to see the prices of those horizons in Europe.

[@veristaconvicto9881]

Be careful with Linlai. I've heard good things about their 300Bs, but the KT88s I bought didn't give me a good experience. One of the first pair of tubes blew up after 5 minutes of use. I bought a second pair from another store and it only lasted two months. I've used JJ and PSVANE tubes (both the most basic and the top of the line) in the same amp and I've never had any problems with other tubes. I won't risk buying anything else from this brand. I liked the sound of this tubes, so much so that I bought them again, but after this new problem, I gave up.

[@cobar5342]

Thank you for another very good video Stephe. The 300B being so coveted, seeing a proper analysis and opinion is really valuable, especially considering the dollars involved

[@NickP333]

Thanks for doing this shootout, Stephe! Oh, no! Of all the tubes to drop, I wouldn’t want it to be a 300B, but hey…accidents happen. This shootout gives me a reason to get my Elekit 300B amp back from my buddy. I do have a pair of the 300B-Z tubes, so I’m glad to hear your positive thoughts on them. 500 hours of break in? 🤷‍♂️🤣 Anyone who says they’re only good for the midrange obviously haven’t hooked the right 300B tube and amp to the right speakers. They can deliver some serious punch and nice airy highs (I’m beginning to despise “audiophile” descriptive words 😂) Thanks again! Really appreciate it.

[@anhdangduc1061]

Cant wait for your review of the 6sn7 and 6sl7 from psvane for the R8. Thanks for your video as always!

[@marktrivette4272]

I have a Willsenton R800i 845. I emailed ChiaHiFi and they responded the 300b and 845 tubes are Linlai HiFi series, their introductory line sold only to manufacturers. I’ve upgraded to Gold Lion 300BX, much better sound quality.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Interesting. I do feel selling low audio quality tubes at a deep discount to manufacturers is a pathway to harming a brand. If people's first experience with a brand is negative, and almost any tube you replace it with sounds better, most people aren't going to understand "But our other tubes sound great!".

[@michaeltierney514]

Hi Stephe ! I have been a long time fan of yours ! I did all the mods on my R8 and the improvement was incredible ! I recently put tpogether a Elekit 8600S 300B amplifier. I pulled the trigger on those WE 300B tubes ($15000) a pair ! Ouch ! The came with a 5 year warranty wihich eased the pain a little LOL ! You mentioned in this video that really caught my ear...How well any recording has been mastered is the baseline of how well any system will sound !There is a huge range of sound quality in the finished production. I found this to be true while dialing in my pair of stereo subwoofers. There is no happy medium really ! Thanks for your vids and I wish you continued success with your new business !

[@thelowprofile9767]

I have very little clue about this topic but I still watched the whole video. I just like this vlogger.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mddawson1]

Be careful with broken tubes. Some tubes, particularly older tubes, contain radioactive elements that you don't want to accidentally inhale.

[@binbenluo6662]

PSVANE Horizon has not yet started sales in China

[@nevillegoddard4966]

Excellent video Stephe! Who'd have thought there'd be such audible differences between supposedly 'identical' valves? It's crazy huh!

[@winchwhip]

Thanks for the video! I use Linlai E-6SN7 input tubes with PSVANE 300B-Z output tubes in my Fezz Mira Ceti 300B amp. These tube types complement each other well: the Linlai E-6SN7 deliver exceptional clarity and detail, while the PSVANE 300B-Z add a touch of 'smokey' warmth. My Speakers are Monitor Audio RS6 with a REL T7/x sub..

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thanks for the info!

[@peterlundskow4061]

This is the kind of video I love! I have a Elekit 300B with the Electro Harmonix, thanks for the comparsion!

[@jimfarrell4635]

Great video. I have the black treasure tubes, and they are great, but my 300b of choice is from KR Audio in the Czech Republic. Would like to hear the Horizon.

[@cuckooman1234]

I have the Shuguang 300B-Z but mine is NOT mesh plate (or more accurately perforated plate). They clearly have a solid plate. It sounds good though, with the big well defined bass you mentioned. It's concerning that they are selling a product with the same name but with different internals (hidden by the black inner coating lol). They were purchased about 5 years ago during the period when PSVane were breaking away from Shuguang, so maybe that's a factor (?).

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Interesting!

[@kb6dxn]

Sometimes just by changing a couple caps you can make a tube sound better and bring out the base and not kill the highs. The amp I built I spent time in changing a couple caps and the brands of the caps to make it sound better. I am building a Dynaco 120 push pull amp now and I made a few changes in the caps that are used on the signal side, I will be using Gold lion KT88's for now.

[@rongreen1538]

Just ticked the bell to subscribe as this video was so informative. I would love you to make this a start of a series, perhaps KT88 next. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

KT88 is next!

[@Michlag]

That treasure mesh with smoked glass looks like a mafioso tube :) yet it's to see whether all tubes have a draw of 1.3A, I got surprises in the past for same batch same brand same model tubes about current draw... I made for this reason a current reg á la Coleman... They're quite unpredictable, especially those Chinese brands

[@thomasfi1275]

Stephe, thanx for this review! I have both, the Willsenton 300B tube and EH 300B gold pin. I used them in my Fezz 300B amp and yes they do sound similar and I miss some bass. Purchased LinLai 300B-L…they have bass! Wow!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Very cool!

[@dksculpture]

Thanks. I need to try these now!

[@justins.4839]

Please do an el34 comparison video :) its nice to hear comparisons from someone whose amp design i am using and whose ear i trust

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I did an EL34 review last week

[@peterlundskow4061]

Oh well, guess I got a inferior 300B! My friend has Gold Lions in his Elekit, sounds like we could both update.

[@chatrs1025]

I tried Psvane's top of the line Acme 845 tubes. They're very good. They sound very clean top mid and bottom. I guess the Psvane Acme 300B got the same house sound of the Acme 845 too. I guess it should excel the Shugey 300B-Z.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Likely would!

[@hificave]

Great video! ❤️

[@CollectingRetro]

I tried a monster 2 chassis 300B amp with the WE in them and was not thrilled. The treble felt missing and lacked excitement. Back to my 2A3 amps and nearly every tube combo I've tried sounds way better.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thanks for sharing!

[@josephvarju1229]

Thanks

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

OK, I guess I'll keep the Gold Lions in my Cary. Might purchase the Psvane tubes as spares. The Cary uses 3 6SN7s, and there I'm using Psvanes. Using the Cary primarily to listen to jazz on vinyl. Still haven't decided on speakers. Have Tannoy XT8 floorstanders, and a pair of Betsy Baffle from Caintuck Audio, with Lil Audio Fast 8 full range drivers. Have a pair of SVS subs crossed over at 80hz. Very tempted to try something from Tekton or Zu Audio.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

A friend has some 12 inch driver Tektons and they sound nice.

[@shyanwu6342]

I have 300B-Z, GL PX300B, and full music 300B/n mesh, I just bought PSvane horizon. Among those, I actually like Full-music 300B/n. I really recommend you to try out this pair😊

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Cool, I wanna try those EML 300B, I've heard good things about them too. Love to hear what you think about the Horizon tubes, either here or email me [e-mail]

[@JRadian]

Do you have the "Globe" full music mesh or the traditional bottle mesh? I tried the Globe mesh and did not like it at all, veiled sound.

[@hificave]

Great video. ❤

[@stiffwin]

Another great review Stephe! Do you have a secret sauce combination of rectifier/driver/KT120 tubes for your KT120 monoblocks?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Early Tung sol KT120, mesh plate RCA 6EJ7 and any NOS 5AR4, I've been using made in Japan ones.

[@rongreen1538]

Forgot to say, I have Gold Lion KT88’s in my Icon Audio amplifier, would love to know if there is anything better. P.S. Icon Audio are a great value British designed, Chinese manufactured amplifier company.

[@rodduncan1183]

Stefe Before you did the BIG clean up what was the engine on the shelf obviously, a 2 stroke. Just being nosey. Kiwi Rod

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

It's still on the lower shelf :) It's pretty rare Yamaha KT100A rotary valve Kart racing engine, 2 stroke with a 34mm slide valve carb setup for methanol. Raced it back in the 1980's

[@rodduncan1183]

There's way more to you than all your subscribers realize Rodney

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

About 2 minutes in. I have a Cary CAD 300CSI. It comes with the Gold Lion PX 300. Now, I'll watch the video to see how they do.

[@rickg8015]

Hi Stephe.. Psvane has a WE 1:1 300B Replica for a few years now.. I wonder how they stack up against the latest real WE’s..

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I'd rather have this new horizon tube over a WE

[@MasterofPlay7]

What about cryotone?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Don't have any :)

[@MasterofPlay7]

​@@SkunkieDesignsElectronicsI heard the Linlai is pretty good too

[@JRadian]

I run the Gold Lions from 1kHz and up in active biamped setup, so no bass needed. How is the female and male vocal texture, detail, and richness of Horizon and Shuggie 300B-Z compared to Gold Lion?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

More detail for sure. I'd skip the 300B-Z if you don't need any bass.

[@JRadian]

I just realized Horizon costs only half of Gold Lions. Good deal..

[@mnbsay9548]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I’m so confused 🤔 I almost feel like 300b for jazz, blues and vocals and El 84 for everything else. Do I really need two amps? Maybe it’s my speakers, klipsch Cornwall iv. Right now I’m on the fence not knowing what to do.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Honestly, I find the same with 300B for jazz, blues and vocals and EL34 UL SE for the rest. I feel like with tube rolling, you can make an EL34 do it all, less so with a 300B

[@mnbsay9548]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Thank You for your videos and your work I appreciate you and sharing your thoughts with me.

[@1porkins]

I'd be interested to hear if you bought the new PSVane's anonymously and see if what they sent you was picked for review.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I'd love to be rich enough to dump $350 into a pair of tubes to make a YT video that generates $35 but I am not.

[@user-ve8ds9bg3c]

Is there a mod i can do for my Yarland 34b amp?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I've never seen one of them so no, have no idea on them.

[@josephvarju1229]

WE 300 should last 10000 hours . What do you know about that ? They were made for telephone relay amp stations they had to last along time .

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I can buy 5 pairs of these other tubes for the same cash outlay. And this review is about what I thought they sound like, not how long they are projected to last.

[@gregj.gotham4402]

Yrs ago I did a pipe job in a Syracuse NY Bell telephone building there were floors of tube amps in racks all 300b WE amps and tubes. Must of been some 1000 amps in those floors.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Worth a FORTUNE today!