New Shuguang Psvane Tubes

[Jetmaker737]

I have psvane 12AX7's in my CDP and love them.

[miner]

I have them in my MC section of my McIntosh C2300 pre - replaced NOS Teles ribbed - and they sound wonderful; and quieter than the Teles. I have ordered 2 more pair for the MC line stages.

[Ricardo]

I ordered a quad of 12AU7's. Need to see (hear) what's all this noise about.

[CSM41]

My 12AT7 Psvanes are really opening up. They sound better with every hour I put on them. I like them so much that I just ordered a matched quad of the 6CA7 Treasures for my power amp to compliment them. By the time they get here I should have the Psvanes pretty much burned in. I will continue to post my findings.

[Ricardo]

Up to know, the word "beautiful" never crossed my mind when referring to tubes.


That changed today when my Psvane tubes arrived.










Now I just need to get myself to install them and start breaking in....

[thsmith]

Can't wait to hear your initial and post burn in impressions Ricardo.

[engtaz]

Sweet

[Ricardo]

I got the Psvanes in my preamp. Replaced RCA Cleartops.

I immediately noticed higher gain. Other than that, I can't distinguish ANY difference in sound. Bass, highs, details, soundstage.....as if I had made no change at all.
This is pretty surprising. Different tubes usually have different signature sound, and new tubes usually sound like crap for at least a few hours..
I'll let them break in and see what happens.

[zingo]

They are a special tube for sure. I'm just disappointed that I can't get them in a 6922; I guess I'll be stuck with the Gold Lions until then... :tongue:

[thsmith]

I got the Psvanes in my preamp. Replaced RCA Cleartops.

I immediately noticed higher gain. Other than that, I can't distinguish ANY difference in sound. Bass, highs, details, soundstage.....as if I had made no change at all.
This is pretty surprising. Different tubes usually have different signature sound, and new tubes usually sound like crap for at least a few hours..
I'll let them break in and see what happens.

The cleartops are no slouch. I would take this as a positive sign that they will get better.

Please keep us updated. I am thinking of trying AU7s in my phono preamp. I currently have Amperex short plate D getter 7316s.

[miner]

They are a special tube for sure. I'm just disappointed that I can't get them in a 6922; I guess I'll be stuck with the Gold Lions until then... :tongue:

i HAVE BOTH THE pSVANES AND gOLD lIONS IN 12ax7 - both are very special tubes, especially for new. Being 'stuck' with the Gold Lions is a pleasure all should experience.

[Ricardo]

Run, don't walk. Get some of these before they run out. I am contemplating ordering a second quad...

24 hours in.

More bass? No.
Better extension? No.
Imaging/soundstage changes? No.
More details? No.

So why do I like these tubes?

I'm gonna use the word "texture". Or maybe it's the tone in the notes. Hard to explain, but they definitely add enjoyment to how the music sounds. I want to say "sparkling notes" for some reason.

I wonder if they will get better...or worse with 100 hours.

[Ricardo]

Forgot to mention. They are very, very quiet. Can't hear any hum, hiss, nothing.

[dragon1952]

Is there just the one source for the Psvanes?
http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/?page_id=148

Also, what is the diffrence in the 3 grades...does it just have to do with potential life span? i.e 80%+ emission, 60-79% emmision, below 60% emission.

[Mike Reeter]

Ricardo,those pics are makin' my nipples hard...if those babies are sounding as good as they look,I'm in.

[CSM41]

I am finding the same results with my Psvane 12AT7's. Fantastic tube. They are getting better as they burn in. Mine replaced a nice pair of old school Mullards.

[toucanet]

Quality question:

Which ones are you guys ordering?

Factory Tested, emission varies;
GF-Grade A, etc.

[Ricardo]

Quality question:

Which ones are you guys ordering?

Factory Tested, emission varies;
GF-Grade A, etc.

www.grantfidelity.com

Export tubes are supposed to be hand selected and only the best within tight specs.
If you buy from China you get different options.

Edit: Just saw that now from Grant Fidelity it takes you to this new page where you have those diffeent choices. It was not like that two weeks ago. I wonder which are the ones I bought...

[CSM41]

There have been some questions as to the validity of Ian Grant's claims on the "grading" of Shuguang tubes, but I will say that the service I have received from Grant Fidelity has been first rate. He is a business man and is in it to make a living, so I get it. I bought my Psvanes from them and will probably buy a second pair of 12AU7's from them for my power amp.

[toucanet]

I ended up ordering 6 sets of the 12AX7 and 6 sets of the 12AU7 (GF-Grade A). I'm guessing at the rate they are selling, they will be a good investment for me.

Thanks again to all for sharing the knowledge and experiences.

[Ricardo]

I emailed them and this is what they said:

"All previous sales were for the Grade A tubes as introductory (we kept lower grade until we introduced the step pricing) - if you wish to have same quality grade tubes, it will be the GF Grade A.."

And now they are $99 a pair.....

[dragon1952]

Anybody have a single 12AX7 they'd like to sell?

[madmax]

Thinking about re-tubing a pair of Manley Mahi Mahi EL-84 amps with these. $500 though, wow, gonna have to think pretty hard about it.
madmax

[Stew]

I bought a pair of the Psvane 12AX7's from Grant Fidelity in December for my Jolida JD-100. I listened to them for about 5 hours and they just didn't have synergy with my system. I know that's not enough time for proper burn in but I much prefer the sound of TJ Full Music 12AX7's in my system - even when the TJ's were brand new.

The Psvanes sounded warm and full while the TJ's sound tight and fast. Both have liquid mids. The TJ's have a little more energy in the top end and more air and detail. The Psvanes sound good but the TJ's are just right for my system and tastes.

What's a fair price for a slightly used set of Psvane 12AX7's? I have $76 plus S/H in them. I gather these are Grade A now selling for $99 from the above posts. I started to post them in the for sale section but really don't know what to ask for them.

[Stew]

Sold

[madmax]

OK, finally pulled the trigger on 8 EL-84's and a pair of 12AT7's for the Mahi monos. Had to think on that one for awhile. Maybe I'm getting cheap in my old age.
madmax

[jessie52]

Has anyone compared the Psvanes to similar-priced NOS like Radiotechnique or CBS-Hytron?