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Mini review: Psvane Treasure KT88 (original version)

Posted by Mendel (A) on July 8, 2015 at 10:05:35

As you may have noticed, I am a NOS tube guy. I like valves from the 1950s and 1960s and have spent decades collecting NOS and OS tubes. I rarely have much good to say about modern production. Not that I have anything against them per say; I understand the need for modern tubes. I have just found that NOS and OS tubes generally sound better and last longer.
About a year ago, I purchased a set of Psvane Treasure KT88 from Parts connextion for my Rogue amp as they were on sale to make room for the mark 2 grey glass version. Mine are the original black glass tubes. I finally got around to trying them and they have been in my amp for the last 3 or 4 months.
These are by far the best KT88s type I have heard in this amp. In KT88 I have tried the GL reissues, the EH KT88, Penta Labs KT88SC, EI KT90s and KT120s. I still love the EI KT90s, they are more dynamic, ballsy and extended than the Psvanes, but in the midrange the Psvanes have a warmth and musicality that the EIs don't quite match. And the upper bass/lower midrange is controlled better than other KT88, similar to the way the EIs handle this range. Sound staging and imaging are as good as I have heard with the amp. A very musical sound overall, what I expect from good NOS.
So far, after a few hundred hours, no problems and very stable bias (hope I haven't cursed them).
I have not tried the mark 2 version with the grey glass that replaced these. Obviously, have not had them in long enough to judge the lifespan of these tubes. But the sound is so magical I felt I had to comment on them. Using them in the Rouge to power Acoustat Spectra 22 speakers that are notoriously power thirsty in Ultralinear mode for more power. The amp usually sounds better in triode (especially with EI KT90s) but these things sing in UL mode. Finally found a KT88 I like.

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