KT88 tubes

arvin · 4th March 2007, 10:28 PM

which are better ,shuagang kt88s or sovtek kt88s?
what are the best sounding kt88s?

Tweeker · 4th March 2007, 11:05 PM

Best sounding KT88? Genalex.

Electro Harmonix makes a nice reliable KT88.

Salas · 4th March 2007, 11:23 PM

The EH KT88 sounds neutral to me. I use them in triode mode. No tonality problems. Don't know the sound of NOS, it is probably richer, but EH KT88 does not make tonal funny stuff, it is forceful, and has clarity at least. Also they seem very stable with bias.

richwalters · 5th March 2007, 02:43 PM

I did a check on my tester between a Shugang 88 and KT90....and lo behold the 88 didn't even get cherry red while the 90 had to be derated. The early Shugangs were appalling quality but the present Shugang quality has improved....---->haven't had'em in service for enough time to establish life. Despite the Shugang being lower priced --- > It's the glass envelope shape which isn't attractive on open amps.
I've lost track if Svetlana and /or reflecktor actually make all 88's and are then rebranded and farmed out with different vendors.

richj

Salas · 5th March 2007, 08:25 PM

It looks to me that the Saratov plant makes em all. The new Svet and EH I mean. As long as the new Svet EL34, not =C=.

widowmaker · 5th March 2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tweeker
Best sounding KT88? Genalex.

Electro Harmonix makes a nice reliable KT88.

Electro Harmonix?

Actually this is made by Reflector, Saratov (also known as Sovtek)

Jim McShane · 6th March 2007, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by richwalters
I did a check on my tester between a Shugang 88 and KT90....and lo behold the 88 didn't even get cherry red while the 90 had to be derated. The early Shugangs were appalling quality but the present Shugang quality has improved....---->haven't had'em in service for enough time to establish life. Despite the Shugang being lower priced --- > It's the glass envelope shape which isn't attractive on open amps.
I've lost track if Svetlana and /or reflecktor actually make all 88's and are then rebranded and farmed out with different vendors.

richj

If it was an Ei KT-90 from post-1999 or so, it likely had misaligned screens. Healthy KT-90s can take enormous dissipation loads.

Jyst FYI.

Tweeker · 6th March 2007, 03:20 AM

Electro Harmonix also labels a decent KT-90.

richwalters · 6th March 2007, 08:40 AM

Jim # Yup.....the best place for bad Q KT90's is in power supplies.

richj

4th March 2007, 10:28 PM	#1
arvin diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	kt88 tubes which are better ,shuagang kt88s or sovtek kt88s? what are the best sounding kt88s?

4th March 2007, 11:05 PM	#2
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	Best sounding KT88? Genalex. Electro Harmonix makes a nice reliable KT88. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

6th March 2007, 03:20 AM	#8
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	Electro Harmonix also labels a decent KT-90. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

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5th March 2007, 02:43 PM	#4
richwalters diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alps:Tube amp designs over 150W, SMPS guru.	I did a check on my tester between a Shugang 88 and KT90....and lo behold the 88 didn't even get cherry red while the 90 had to be derated. The early Shugangs were appalling quality but the present Shugang quality has improved....---->haven't had'em in service for enough time to establish life. Despite the Shugang being lower priced --- > It's the glass envelope shape which isn't attractive on open amps. I've lost track if Svetlana and /or reflecktor actually make all 88's and are then rebranded and farmed out with different vendors. richj

5th March 2007, 08:25 PM	#5
Salas diyAudio Chief Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Athens-Greece	It looks to me that the Saratov plant makes em all. The new Svet and EH I mean. As long as the new Svet EL34, not =C=.

6th March 2007, 08:40 AM	#9
richwalters diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alps:Tube amp designs over 150W, SMPS guru.	Jim # Yup.....the best place for bad Q KT90's is in power supplies. richj

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