Western Electric 300B (2019)

[pduk]

I've just received notification of the pre-order window for the new WE 300B production. The web page is at http://www.westernelectric.com/products/300b.html

I'm really very happy with the sound I get from the EH 300Bs that came with the Kaiju, but I am intrigued to know what these will sound like and I'll be pre-ordering a matched pair as soon as possible (February for me, I hope, since I'm in the UK not the USA).

Would love to hear any impressions from anyone lucky enough to preview samples from this new production run!

Paul.

 

[Sp33ls]

I have the same question...

I'm wondering if I should just wait on your review before pulling the trigger It'd definitely be a long-term investment -- as I'd imagine they should [ideally] last a long, long time.

Have others had positive results with rolling their 300B's in the Kaiju? Is it as noticeable as changing the 5670's?

 

[Mike B]

I plan to pre-order a pair as soon as I can.  Expensive yes, but hey it a classic and it's American and not that much more than the high end Chinese tubes.

 

[caffeinator]

An iconic brand and a classic product - intriguing to say the least.

Given the price, one might be hard pressed to many, if any, of these tubes.  Given that, where one the system would one deploy these to the best advantage?  In a pre-amp (such as the Bee Pre) or in the finals, as in the Kaiju or similar?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I'd probably use them in the BeePre, just because the tube life should be ridiculously long. 

 

[Doc B]

I'd listen to them in both positions and then make a decision. My past experience with them was that they had a slight midrange emphasis and maybe just a hint  of softness on the top end. Where you might want those characteristics in the system is going to depend on the individual system - source, speakers, etc.

 

[Gerry E.]

The pre-order price has gone from $1299 to $1349 and finally to $1499/pair.  Still, I plan on ordering a pair.  The 5-year warranty makes it a little easier to justify.

Gerry 

 

[bombay317]

Preordering opened today!

 

[galyons]

I tried to pre order, but error messages and warnings from my Chrome browser and sercurity software that the site was not secure.  Sent an email to Western Electric.

Cheers,
Geary

 

[Gerry E.]

I had no problem submitting my pre-order within the first 30 seconds of the pre-order button showing up on their website.  Order number 1030996XX where XX represents the last two digits.  Now the question is: When will they ship?  A week, month, 3 months or ??.  BTW, I'm not sure about that 5 year warranty.  The pre-order page had 1 year.  Maybe if you send in the warranty card or that was only for the original 1996 re-issues.

Gerry                     

 

[Paul Birkeland]

or ??.     

^I vote for that one.

 

[galyons]

I had no problem submitting my pre-order within the first 30 seconds of the pre-order button showing up on their website.  Order number 1030996XX where XX represents the last two digits.  Now the question is: When will they ship?  A week, month, 3 months or ??.  BTW, I'm not sure about that 5 year warranty.  The pre-order page had 1 year.  Maybe if you send in the warranty card or that was only for the original 1996 re-issues.

Gerry                   

WE emailed back that the site was secured via SSL. My security software still said not secure, but  I submitted my order. (Too many years in payments FinTech to not be concerned!)  I am in no big hurry and they won't hit the card until shipping time, so no real risk.  I have been happy with my Gold Lion and Shuguang Treasures.

Cheers,
Geary

 

[caffeinator]

Why wait for the reissue when one can acquire an NOS pair?

https://tubedepot.com/products/nos-western-electric-engraved-base-300b-black-plate-late-1930-s-matched-pair

 

[2wo]

Well, if they took PayPal  8)...John

 

[Doc B]

"The price is very high but we paid a lot to get these."

I'm picturing them toasting the three in their team who didn't make it back from the mission alive. Wire transfer, hell, I'd demand a suitcase of unmarked bills, new identification, and a helicopter.

 

[Jameson]

They only have one set. I buy all my tubes in sets of six, so if I can’t drop as much money on tubes as I did on my private cabana at the Fyre Festival, what’s even the point

 

[bombay317]

I have to wait for the 15 Feb 2019 date as I am outside of the US.  I haven't found the list of countries that will be included in this, has anyone else seen that information anywhere?

Just tube dreaming over here, hoping they ship.  I would put them into my Kaiju and BeePre........

 

[pduk]

I'm in the same boat (I'm in the UK). I've been hoping/assuming we'll be in the next batch. Maybe an email to 300b@westernelectric.com to check?

P.

 

[bombay317]

I did email them, and if they write back, I will post it to this thread!

I still cant decide if I want to get the Emission Lab 300bs or the Western Electrics.  I have not heard either.

 

[kgoss]

Why not get a pair of each. Try them in both your BeePre and Kaiju. You would get to hear any difference yourself and decide which you like best. I know it’s an expensive experiment but your ears should be the judge. You might decide you like both, i.e. WE in the BeePre and EL in your Kaiju.  Reguardless please post your comments.

Ken