II've been listening to - and comparing - the new Emission Labs (formerly VAIC) mesh plate 45 for the last few  weeks, and a few inmates have asked me to post my impressions. Here we go.

First, these are impressions after about 50 hours of use. They do change a bit, and they may change a bit more  with another 50 hours of use. I've been listening to them in a custom built 45 amp from Tektron in Italy, RCA 280  rectifier, RCA grey glass VT231 drivers, great c-core trannies, Vitamin Q/Cerafine/Black Gate caps. So that's the  context.

Let's get one thing out of the way first. They look spectacular. Those filaments lit through the mesh are very cool.  It's tough to be objective about the sound when the looks are so good. It's also looking like a very sturdy built  tube, they make NOS varieties look like toys in comparison. But those NOS 45's, particularly the legendary early globes, not only have tremendous collector appeal, they have a special sound that is unique in audio - and hard to displace.

Now, I'll get to the conclusion. The new mesh plate 45's are spectacular and out-globe the globes. Whether or  not the outdo the VAIC solid plate 45 is matter of taste, I suppose.

Comparing the VAIC solid plate to the mesh plates: the solid plate are very much a transparent 45 sound,  perhaps a bit more extended on top than the globes - and maybe a bit brighter and crisper on top as well. bass is  very solid and taut, tighter but harmonically ever so slightly leaner than the globes. The solid plate places the notes  well outside the speakers suspended in time and space, that magically spooky 'reach out and touch the notes' thing  that a good 45 will do. There is less of the feeling of roundness, or slight warmth, around the notes with the solid  plates than the globes. Overall, the solid plate 45 compares well to the older types, it may even be better -  certainly it is more extended, clearer and sparkly on top.  The mesh plate Emission Labs is clearly in the same sonic family as their solid plate 45. The best way I can  characterize the differences is - there is simply more 45 in the mesh 45. More of the magic. More musicality.

Comparatively, the mesh 45 is more relaxed, less sparkly and bright on top that the solid plate version. The highs  seem more relaxed, a touch recessed, more integrated into the soundscape. The mids are very nice, very smooth  and lucid, without added bloat. Nice and mellow, very present and musical. The bass is still very solid, with a  more woody character. The depth of the soundstage is markedly changed from the solid plates, notes are more  forward, not the same feeling of peering deep into the acoustic space, you are placed more directly into the music. The reach out and touch magic is still there - just presented closer, more enveloping and less distant. The feeling is  more of relaxing into the music, rather than being amazed at how deeply you can see into it.

Alltogether, the Emission Labs mesh 45 is a remarkable achievement. The highest compliment I can pay any tube  is that it makes me feel good listening to my favorite music. Last night, I was bored with my cD collection, having a hard time finding anything out of my close to 1,000 discs that I felt like listening to. Grabbing Keith Jarrett's "Whisper Not" pretty much at random, I threw it on and sat back - to my surprise I couldn't let it go. Immediately  I was relaxed & into the music, and whatever was causing my previous night-long discontent (probably the loss by  the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Carolina Hurricanes)was quickly forgotten. That's the power of music, and the  mesh 45 delivered.   I was thinking of discussing the mesh 45 in comparison to various nOS I have on hand. But the problem is, I've  tried, but my patience runs thin. The other day, I swapped my Cunningham CX-345 globes in - but they only lasted a few minutes. Not that they are bad tubes (far from it), it's just beside the meshies, they sounded like also-rans. even my reference globes - the Rogers UX-245 from 1932 with very large plates - didn't move me off  the meshes.

They are expensive. This type of quality usually is. Whether they are for everybody I couldn't say. They did not  invalidate the solid plate VAIC 45 to me, they were different - preferable to me, but I still like the solid plates for their strengths also.

For all 45 lovers, I do highly recommend that you support this exceptional product, you do owe it to your music  to take a listen!