Sophie Electric

User Feedback for S.E.T. Princess™ 300B Mesh Plate Tubes - by Xiaoyuan Gu (Germany) (June 2006)

Hi Sue,

Having had the two pairs of S.E.T. Princess 300Bs in my main system for 4 months now. I must say I am more than happy.

The system consists of an Audio Note CDT2 + Musical Fidelity X-DAC V3/X-10 V3/X-PSU V3 triple as digital source, a Pro-Ject RPM 9X turntable (fitted with the Van Den Hul MC One cartridge) + Project Tube Box SE + Project Speedbox SE as analog source, an Audio Space DU-6i 300B Push-Pull integrated amp, and a pair of B&W Signature 805 speakers with original stands filled with Danish beach sands. The digital cable is the Kimber Illumination D-60, and phono cables are Van Den Hul D-501 Silver Hybrid and Transparent Audio Ultra Phono. All interconnects are Stealth Audio PGS. Power cords are the Van den hul mainsstream and mainsserver, and the Revelation Audio Labs Passage Cryogenic Silver Reference. Speaker cables are Stealth Audio Hybrid MLT. Power for the source is conditioned with the Octave Filter II, and all electronics have been upgraded with HiFi-Tuning silver fuses, and SoundCare spikes.

Upon replacing the 4 stock power tubes, gone were the annoying microphonics. The sexy open-grid design caught my eyes, especially in long night listening sessions. I have thought that there is little space left for further improvements for the Audio Space DU-6i 300B about a year ago, when I acquired a pair of Mullard ECC32s and a pair of Mullard ECC35s for the preamp and driver tubes. Adding them have been truly a leap ahead, the amp is not bright anymore, with significantly improved articulation. However, after the 4 S.E.T. Princess 300Bs have been in place, I am more and more convinced about the benefits these tubes bring. The signature 805s’ bass is even more firm and yet tight. This is especially evident with Bach and Handel’s organ notes. The slight harsh top-end while playing with the stock 300B tubes has diminished. Murray Perahia’s Goldberg Variations interpretation comes from the B&W is now sweet and warm – easier to my ears. Listening to female voice and acoustic guitar is truly heaven as can be expected from 300B midrange magic that many crave. I have never tried the NOS Western Electric 300Bs, but who cares - I am satisfied with these affordable Princesses. Period.

Good work! Thanks!

Xiaoyuan Gu (Germany)