Alesa Vaic AV304M mesh triode
The AV305M is almost equivalent to the "normal" 300B and is fully
compatible. The most remarkable thing about this tube is the use of "mesh"
as plate material. The mesh plate is supported by extra add-ons made out of
Alesa Vaic's new and patented metal being used as platematerial in his "ref"-series.
These add-ons help dissipate the plate as well make it more rigid. Further on
a different type number is used since the amplification factor is slightly higher
than the original 300B. The finshing of this tube is good and is inspiring confedence...
This impression is written by Cees Piet, who has extensively listened to this tube and compared it to the VaicVV300B and TJ300B mesh. The AV305M is used as powertube and its filament is DC fed:
"Lately DHTRob came to me with a pair of brandnew powertriodes, type AV305M,
with the intension to give these a try as Rob thought that these tubes could
be "it" for me........ As service in return I had to write down my
findings. I am playing with the VAICVV300B, "Emission Labs" now-a-days,
for quite a long time now and these tubes have a good reputation. After having
the tubes unpacked from their bomb-proof packing, I compared them to the VAIC
300B's. Referring to model and dimensions these could be brothers; solid glassbulb
and good weight. These are tubes written in capitols. For each tube a ceriticate
of guarantee, signed by Alesa Vaic himself, is available. So far the simularities
as the AV305M has a totally different inner structure, namely the "old-fashioned"
mesh plate, for many tubelover the ultimate seduction due to the evident sonical
benefits. Beside that, the 305M has slightly more gain: 4.3 in stead of the
usual 3.9.
Okay, so far very interesting, but is this "just another 300B-alike product",
or has the 305M more to offer? After a burn-in period of about 30 hours my answer
is clear: Yes! Where the VAICVV300B was my favourite and was the TJ a real runner-up,
both have met their superior. In detail, dynamics, control, pinpointing and
stereo image, the 305M is very special with an extra bonus that a mesh-plate
has to offer!! And all of this at an adjustment of 350V @ 62mA, which means
that this tube will last as long as a lifetime. As to me: Respect for Alesa
Vaic, who made it possible for us to listen to this "Mesh with balls"!!
"
Meanwhile these 305M's are Cees' property: He would'nt let me take them out
of his monoblocks.... sigh.
For more information on these tubes, look at Alesa Vaic's web-site: http://www.vaic-audio.info
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