Which KT88 Brand to Buy?Sso many to choose

ttan98 · 1st August 2011, 04:15 PM

Hi,

I am looking to buy a pair of KT88 tube for my single ended amplifier I am building. A general search at Ebay reveals there are so many types and brands available, to name a few:

1. Shuguang basic/standard $60 a pair
2. Shuguang Treasures $130 a pair
3. Full music(different construction) $250 a pair
4. Gold Lion, Genalex, $95 a pair
5. Tesla, Blue type $95 a pair
6. Sovtex, $55 a pair
7. Original GEC gold lion too expensive
8. Original Tungsol, too expensive

Anyone has any info and experience in regard to the sound quality and sound reproduction of these tubes. I am after reliability i.e. able to operate at least 400V on the screen and anode. the old Chinese KT88 can handle at these voltage, they failed.

BTW is the Chinese EL156 any good? some say it has a lower grid to cathode for similar cathode current hence easier to drive, is the sound reproduction any good and how about reliability?

Thanks in advance.

woodturner-fran · 1st August 2011, 06:54 PM

A friend put in a quad of genelex gold lion re-issues and is very happy with them.... i think it was about STG£160 for the quad.

Pano · 2nd August 2011, 01:52 AM

I just got a pair of JJ blue bottles. They came highly recommended. I'll let you know. (Formally Tesla, I think)

taj · 2nd August 2011, 02:38 AM

I trust and recommend Jim McShane's tube advice and buy my tubes from him. He backs his products and he tests the daylights out of them for you, and hand-matches everything. And all that without a premium price tag. He's an engineer with an ear.

On his advice I bought a matched quad of Genelec Gold Lions that had passed his QC criterion.

That was a year ago, so his advice may have changed. Jim McShane Home Page

..Todd

rhone · 2nd August 2011, 05:15 AM

If the Gold Lions are to expensive for you then try the ElectroHarmonix KT88. I've used a quad of them on and off for a few years with no problems.
The reliability of the new premium Chinese tubes is an unknown quantity, I would say.

TJ · 2nd August 2011, 05:41 AM

i'll go for Winged C (SED) KT88 or JJ kt88 .

1st August 2011, 04:15 PM	#1
ttan98 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melb	Which KT88 Brand to Buy?Sso many to choose Hi, I am looking to buy a pair of KT88 tube for my single ended amplifier I am building. A general search at Ebay reveals there are so many types and brands available, to name a few: 1. Shuguang basic/standard $60 a pair 2. Shuguang Treasures $130 a pair 3. Full music(different construction) $250 a pair 4. Gold Lion, Genalex, $95 a pair 5. Tesla, Blue type $95 a pair 6. Sovtex, $55 a pair 7. Original GEC gold lion too expensive 8. Original Tungsol, too expensive Anyone has any info and experience in regard to the sound quality and sound reproduction of these tubes. I am after reliability i.e. able to operate at least 400V on the screen and anode. the old Chinese KT88 can handle at these voltage, they failed. BTW is the Chinese EL156 any good? some say it has a lower grid to cathode for similar cathode current hence easier to drive, is the sound reproduction any good and how about reliability? Thanks in advance.

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1st August 2011, 06:54 PM	#2
woodturner-fran diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ireland	A friend put in a quad of genelex gold lion re-issues and is very happy with them.... i think it was about STG£160 for the quad.

2nd August 2011, 01:52 AM	#3
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	I just got a pair of JJ blue bottles. They came highly recommended. I'll let you know. (Formally Tesla, I think)

2nd August 2011, 02:38 AM	#4
taj diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005	I trust and recommend Jim McShane's tube advice and buy my tubes from him. He backs his products and he tests the daylights out of them for you, and hand-matches everything. And all that without a premium price tag. He's an engineer with an ear. On his advice I bought a matched quad of Genelec Gold Lions that had passed his QC criterion. That was a year ago, so his advice may have changed. Jim McShane Home Page ..Todd

2nd August 2011, 05:15 AM	#5
rhone diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne	If the Gold Lions are to expensive for you then try the ElectroHarmonix KT88. I've used a quad of them on and off for a few years with no problems. The reliability of the new premium Chinese tubes is an unknown quantity, I would say.

2nd August 2011, 05:41 AM	#6
TJ diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: UK	i'll go for Winged C (SED) KT88 or JJ kt88 .