Help with 310A tubes

[Dth31]

My 2nd system has a 300B SET amp that I really like. It uses an unbranded (probably Chinese, and it's at least 10-15 yrs old) 310A driver, and I have a feeling that changing out that tube might make the sound even better.

Because the WE310A was never a widely used tube, there aren't a lot of NOS tubes out there. Line Magnetic uses a Psvane 310A in some of their amps, and Mike B posted at least once that the Psvane 310A is a nice-sounding tube in the LM 219ia.

Grant Fidelity carries most Psvane tubes, including some of the WE replicas, but not the 310A. Rachel at Grant Fidelity stands behind her products and is reasonable to work with. I've found Psvane 310A replicas for sale on some Chinese websites, but Psvane has a reputation for poor quality control, and I'm hesitant to use a Chinese dealer I'm not familiar with. That's why I've always tried to use a dealer like Rachel who stands behind her products.

My questions:
1. Anybody directly compare an original WE310 to any other 310As? Winged C also made one and those can still be purchased, but I've no idea what they sound like.
2. Can anybody recommend a Chinese dealer they trust who carries Psvane?

Thanks in advance!

Dave

 

[Dth31]

Not surprised there were no answers. The 310A is fairly uncommon.

i emailed Rachel at Grant Fidelity but received no reply. Can't blame her if she didn't want to bring in a single tube. Tube Amp Doctor is the PSvane distributor for Germany and they carry the tube. Like GF, they test their tubes and warrant them. So I ordered a pair of the PSvane WE310A replicas. We'll see how it goes!

 

[Mike]

Just saw this. The Psvane's are good, but try to find some Western Electric 310A's. That's what I use.

 

[Dth31]

Thanks Mike. That's the advice I was looking for!

 

[chatr]

It's a late reply. Yesterday I tried them all including Svetlana 10J12S, Psvane WE310A, STC 4310A, 1961 Western Electric 310A and 1663/1970 Western Electric 310A pairs. I liked Western electric the most. The have open top, nice bass weight, liquid mid, very well balanced and much more transparent than Psvane. The STC 4310A is more top sparkle but less bass. Their midrange is not as liquid as the Western Electric's. Lastly and the least, the Svetlana 10J12S have harshed sound from top to bottom. The top closed down.