高槻 vs PSVANE vsウエスタン

Summary

The program compares three high-end 300B vacuum tubes: Japan’s Takatsuki TA-300B, China-made PSVANE WE300B, and Western Electric 300B. The hosts listen to them in several Sunvalley Audio amplifiers and discuss how each tube’s sound changes with the amplifier and circuit.

Tubes and listening impressions

• Takatsuki TA-300B — A domestically made tube developed with the aim of matching Western Electric’s operating conditions. The hosts describe the sample as clear, direct, and well-balanced. Compared with earlier impressions of the model as especially sharp and lean, this sample sounded fuller while retaining its clarity. Approximate price discussed: ¥165,000 per pair.
• PSVANE WE300B — Presented as a Western Electric-style reproduction, with the host noting similarities in construction. In the first amplifier, it sounded softer and more resonant than the Takatsuki, bringing piano and upper-midrange energy forward. The hosts praised its detail and subtlety. Approximate price discussed: ¥86,000 per pair.
• Western Electric 300B — The program uses both a 2006 final-production example and a well-used pair from 1958. The Western Electric tubes were associated with greater depth, fuller and more present bass, extended piano resonance, and a distinctive sense of space. The older, well-used pair sounded particularly relaxed and smooth. Prices vary considerably by age and condition; the hosts say Western Electric tubes had become much more expensive than their original retail price.

Overall, the hosts find the current Takatsuki and PSVANE tubes impressively capable and close to Western Electric in quality, while emphasizing that each has its own character. They do not claim that either modern tube clearly surpasses Western Electric: the vintage tube retains a distinctive refinement, while the modern tubes offer strong performance and different tonal strengths.

Amplifier and setup notes

The comparison uses three Sunvalley Audio amplifiers:

• SV-S1616D: A single-ended 300B amplifier with a DC filament supply. The initial comparisons highlight differences in tone and energy between the tubes.
• SV-91B: Uses multi-loop negative feedback, combining local and overall feedback for stronger damping. The host says its roughly 10-watt output can control large speakers. With this amplifier, the tube differences were less stark than with the SV-S1616D, and the PSVANE combination was noted for firm, well-controlled bass.
• LM91A: A monoblock design with separate enclosures and power supplies for each channel, and an AC filament supply. It follows the character of the Western Electric 91A circuit. The host explains that DC is generally easier to manage for low noise, but considers AC part of the original 91A sound.

The program emphasizes that amplifier design and tube condition affect what listeners hear. The hosts also note that new tubes may have more noise at first, which can diminish after roughly 10–20 hours of use.

Listening-review examples

Music excerpts used for comparison include “The Kingdom,” Bach cello music, Mozart’s Divertimento K.136, Adele’s “Hello,” LA4’s “Just Friends,” Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band’s “Tuxedo Junction,” and “Moon River.”

This is a listening review and product comparison rather than a step-by-step setup tutorial.

Main speakers and sources

• Makoto Ohashi — Host; introduces the tubes and amplifiers and provides technical explanations.
• Masanori Takayama — Guest commentator; shares listening impressions and selects some of the music.
• Sunvalley Audio / “Shinkukan Audio Daihodan” — Program and equipment source.