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RE: Robert Hutton of Canada is a total scumbag, no doubt.

Posted by tube wrangler (M) on December 30, 2009 at 23:58:40

In Reply to: RE: Robert Hutton of Canada is a total scumbag, no doubt. posted by Milos on December 29, 2009 at 19:27:40:

Jacmusic.com is good to buy EML from.

Mesh plates (true interwoven mesh as in EML and their predecessor-- VAIC) are characterized by a combination of outstanding transparency, musical layering and texture, and balanced frequency response.

Since these tubes are TRUE mesh (interwoven), they will not tolerate being run at full standard dissipation ratings. Simply de-rate them about 35% and run them there.

A preference for the Solid Plates comes into play when a less efficient speaker is being used and more power is demanded from the tube. Amplifiers that can run these higher power levels usually run the tubes at or near "normal" standard plate dissipation ratings. There are many reasons why people run tubes in this way, but all of them have nothing to do with maximum fidelity and long, reliable tube life.

It is a provable fact that one can partially compensate (sonically) for poor, inefficient wiring inside an amplifier by jacking-up the plate currents of vacuum tubes. This is not what the mesh plate tube requires--it is the opposite of what it needs.

If your amplifier does this, then mesh plates are out unless you bring the amp into more intelligent operating levels.. Otherwise, Solid plates will perform better under these (unwanted operating conditions anyway) conditions.

Are solid plate tubes sonically better than the true (interwoven) mesh plates? The answer is no, they are inferior to mesh plates IF the amplifier that is using the mesh plates is run and used in a reliable manner. That always means a lower power (in watts) amplifier for the same tube type.

Mesh plates are used primarily to reduce electron "bounce-back" which occurs on solid plate structures while being bombarded with electrons from the tubes cathode.

The results of this "catcher's mitt" arrangement on the tubes plate are smoother, lower distortion operation coupled with outstanding musical performance.

When these tubes are operated properly, long life is not an issue.

Whether the tube is 45, 2A3, or 300B, etc., the mesh plate EML is the best that money can buy.

---Dennis---

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