Tube Depot is selling Western Electric "B Stock" 300b tubes at $199 each with no warranty.

“B-Stock” Western Electric 300Bs are functional but do not meet quality standards" as stated on Tube Depots description.

I find it odd that such a prestigious company would want to fill the streets with compromised tubes even if only directed at hobbyist. It's also a rather curious peak into the possible QC issues they are having. I hope its not a sneak peak into then possibly of them ending this run of tube. Pure speculation of course but why would you want less than perfect quality tubes in the hands of public when everyone has such high expectations of this long coveted product.

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I also saw this, but it isn't anything new. Back during the golden age of tube technology RCA, Sylvania etc. would sell their B stock to so called relabelers who then resell them under different brands. Tandy (aka Radio Shack) was an example and somewhat infamous as I recall for sketchy tube quality among my guitar playing friends back in the day. They were cheap, but you got what you paid for.

The only difference is WE is selling the tubes under their own brand.

Yes, Realistic tubes not Tandy. Got some wires crossed in the brain. I have a Realistic GZ34 that clearly comes from the Mullard Japan factory. It is OK.

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Generally when a power tube fails it just stops working, at least that has been my experience. If it were to short, which is pretty rare, then it might blow a fuse.

I picked up a matched quad of these with the thought that if one or two fail I can still have a matched pair.

Listening over the weekend I have about 25 hours on two of them. Not enough break in time to make any real decisions but right out of the gate I have a few observations.
- the tubes themselves are visually identical to my normal WE 300bs, so beware if you are buying second-hand WE tubes from online sellers.
- they come in a blue and white box (see ad here, no affiliation with listing:https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650213769-pair-300b-western-electric-tube-ne...).  The only way I can tell to differentiate from the standard A grade WE’s.
- they run slightly hotter than my standard WE 300b (run on the line between yellow and red on Sarah’s VU meters), and therefore also just slightly punchier.
- my initial thought is that they sound darn close to my very expensive WE300bs, and are maybe the perfect blend between the Cryotone’s punchiness and the WE presence and top end sparkle.
Overall, a steal at $200. We’ll see what kind of longevity they have.

Ah, yes there is! There is a small “B” stamped on the base, opposite side from the logo. Thanks for that tip.

I think either are a good fit for the Sarah, it’s more a matter of the sound you are going for and your investment. High mA for more punch, tighter bass, and shorter tube life; low mA for a softer and more laid back sound with longer life.

Bob, can you comment on how the WE and CryoTone tubes affect the 300B's hum level? The WE tubes have had the best neutralizing effect on my system. I don't have the Cryotones.  When I recently communicated with Don Thomas, he said the CryoTone 300B can’t eliminate the hum noise but might increase musicality, rendering it less of an issue. Can you describe any difference between the two regarding just hum level?

Glad I’m not an outlier, Bob. I hope they last.

FWIW, I have over 100 hours on my WE B-stock and only 100 hours on my original pair of WE A-stock. I literally can’t tell the difference. The meters are even running pretty much exactly the same, at the very top end of the green.

Tony, so far I have the stock Decware Chinese 300b, treasure 300B-Z, Cryotone 300B-WC, and both A and B stock WE 300b. The WE are the quietest in my system. With the other 300b’s I get about 60db of 120hz hum at 1 ft, the WE’s are in the mid-40db range. For reference, I’m using Cryotone’s 12au7, E88CC, and 5u4g rectifier, and the stock Decware pick 75c1’s. I’ve tried several rectifiers and haven’t settled on one yet, though they don’t affect my hum that much. The 300b’s seem to have the greatest affect on hum, and the WE’ seem to be the quietest in my  system.

So good to hear users are having good luck with these tubes !!

I went ahead and purchased the low mA version and installed them on the Cary Audio SET 300b monoblocks.  Just a little over 30 hours and to my ears, they already sound very good.  For $400/pair, they are worth it.  I would like to understand how a "B" stock life will be compared to the originals.  
Bob
Of note the high mA version is on my Sarah 300b they read around 80mA.  I will have to compare them to the 300b cryotones and the low mA versions

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In general different rectifiers, traditional or STR, have different voltage drops and internal resistance and that will impact the other tubes operating point. So will the actual voltage of your home's AC and potentially stuff like power conditioners.  But the emission of the 300Bs (how many electrons get cooked off the cathode) is probably the biggest factor.

CAJames,
Thank you for that.  I think operating in the orange band is ok and red is bad.
Bob

I do not think so.  The STR is being on both uses cases for Cryotone and WE.  In my primary system, I have STRs on my tube DAC and the Sarah 300b.
On my secondary system my STR is on the tube DAC and I do not hear any hum with WE at listening position (speakers are 94dB).  I will have to listen with my ears near the speakers to see if I have a hum.
Bob

Thanks for the tip Steve. It worked great!
Richard