Thomas Mayer/Elrog tubes - especially 211s and Molybdenum Plate 211s

spiritofmusic · Jul 31, 2019

Prices are ruinously expensive on these, in the case of 211s, €1.5k/pr, and Molybdenum Plate 211s, €3k/pr.
And I would need a quad...
And w Brexit meaning €3k/€6k = £3k/£6k.
And then the engineer's fee to bias my amps.
All the while having no idea these would better my 1948 GEs.

So...any brave souls out there who have gone the Mayer/Elrog route, esp in swapping from quality original tubes (ie not stock $hit)?

How do they compare? Esp 211s.

Zero000 · Jul 31, 2019

Not me.

And I am User211!!!

Zero000 · Jul 31, 2019

If you want to try some new 211s I would probably go for the Psvane Molybdenums made for Audio Note.

MUCH cheaper. Possibly more reliable.

BTW Marc I am having a 211 tester custom built for me. So if you ever want stuff tested PM me.

bonzo75 · Jul 31, 2019

User211 said:
If you want to try some new 211s I would probably go for the Psvane Molybdenums made for Audio Note.

MUCH cheaper. Possibly more reliable.

BTW Marc I am having a 211 tester custom built for me. So if you ever want stuff tested PM me.

Have you tested user211 with it, both ears and their middle?

spiritofmusic · Jul 31, 2019

Yes, but what about SQ?

My technical reservation re the Mayer Elrogs is that the heater elements are so much lower in the tube.

When I ran Elrog 845s in my old Audion Black Shadow monos, the ams chassis's ran extremely hot. I'm wary doing the same in my Nats.

Zero000 · Jul 31, 2019

The valves at Munich.

One thing. The Psvane Molys were reviewed by Kevin Fiske in Hi-Fi Critic magazine. He owns an Audio Note Tomei and has ELROG 211s.

I know him and talking to him he really rates the Psvane Molys. He was urging me to buy some.

Another thing. Audio Note at Munich were using GEs. Go figure...

Zero000 · Jul 31, 2019

Look at how hot those Molys look to be running in my pic.... the plates are glowing massively.

spiritofmusic · Jul 31, 2019

Justin, after carriage and VAT, those Psvane Molys are 1/3 the cost of the Mayer Elrogs. And comments I'm seeing rate them as superior re SQ. All round, a no brainer.

Other than cost, my main objection to the Mayer Elrogs is the fact that the heater is so low in the tube, right at the socket, which means the chassis top plate of the amps heats up way more than w other tubes. You could fry eggs on my Audions w the Elrogs.

I'll seriously consider these Psvane Molys. You use them, do you rate them compared to old stuff like the GEs, and newer stock Psvanes?

Zero000 · Jul 31, 2019

Mayer inverted the ELROG design for the reason you state. So they are the right way up now.

I never did buy the AN Molys.

Audiocrack · Jul 31, 2019

User211 said:
The valves at Munich.

One thing. The Psvane Molys were reviewed by Kevin Fiske in Hi-Fi Critic magazine. He owns an Audio Note Tomei and has ELROG 211s.

I know him and talking to him he really rates the Psvane Molys. He was urging me to buy some.

Another thing. Audio Note at Munich were using GEs. Go figure...

Justin, is there a link available as regards the Kevin Fiske review of this Psvane Molys?

Zero000 · Aug 1, 2019

Audiocrack said:
Justin, is there a link available as regards the Kevin Fiske review of this Psvane Molys?

No. It's Hi-Fi Critic. You have to buy the appropriate issue. Try the website?

Audiocrack · Aug 1, 2019

User211 said:
No. It's Hi-Fi Critic. You have to buy the appropriate issue. Try the website?

Ok, clear and thanks. Do you think that these 'Molys' of Psvane and Elrog can actually compete with or even better the top nos 211 valves such as United Electronics, Amperex, etc?

spiritofmusic · Aug 1, 2019

Justin, I'm not sure if you're right about the Mayer Elrogs. The heater filament still looks very low in the tube nr the socket. The Pvsane Molys look much better in that respect w the heater higher up in the tube.

That, plus the 2/3 cheaper cost swings the buying decision to the Pvsane Molys. c.£2k for 8 Pvsane Moly tubes I can handle, £6k+ for Mayer Elrog Molys not so much.

Audiocrack · Aug 1, 2019

Do not think that you can get 8 Psvane Molys for the price you mentioned. Spirit. 4 of those tubes are already nearly 2k GBP in you add VAT. Or am I missing something here?

Zero000 · Aug 1, 2019

Yup that's right Audiocrack.

Also, I am right about Mayer inverting the ELROG internals.

spiritofmusic · Aug 1, 2019

Looks like you guys are right. Closer to £4k for 8, and heaters inverted. I am wary of only being offered a 3 month warranty.

spiritofmusic · Aug 1, 2019

£4k Pvsane 211 Molys is pricier than "standard" Mayer Elrog 211s (£3k), but more affordable than the Mayer Elrog Molys (£6k).

Zero000 · Aug 1, 2019

Why do you need 8?Just buy 4 at £2K and see if they suck or not.

Then send them to me for a second opinion

spiritofmusic · Aug 1, 2019

Haha, I am losing it this morning LOL.
Yes, 4 will do at £2k. Normal service from me will be resumed tmrw when I stop putting whiskey in my Cornflakes!

Audiocrack · Aug 1, 2019

Elrog Molys costs eur 2700 a pair. So if you are thinking about eight of them that is around GBP 10k and not GBP 6k. And if you British keep going strong with your new ‘top noth PM’

in a few months time you are talking about much more money in GBP.

Thomas Mayer/Elrog tubes - especially 211s and Molybdenum Plate 211s

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Member Sponsor

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Attachments

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member