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Looking for a warm/romantic/organic sounding KT 88 similar to the Winged c . Currently using a Unison Research Preludio integrated amp which runs the the tubes in triode. Stock sovtek tubes sound a little thin in comparison. have also used the SED 6550 which is a close second in my opinion but not quite as organic or real sounding to my ears. have also used the new sensor tung sol 6550 which is my third option at this time. Unfortunately SED no longer producing tubes so I am seeking opinions re similar sounding KT 88.
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I have not tried the grey glass yet but will soon. As tube Acolyte stated the Shuguang KT88SC, sold as the Penta KT88SC from Doug's Tubes may be a good option. I bought a pair on the auction site from ARS Tubes in LA and like them but they took 150+ hours to settle in. I have read that the GL's need a similar amount of time. I also read that the GL's are warmer. If you have them put 'em in and give them a lot of hours. My amp is a 10 watt SEP Triode Corp TRK3488.
As Chip said, the input tube has a large bearing on sonics. Was the Mullard CV4003 the box plate? I really don't want to make suggestions because this can be very subjective.
The CV4003 is the box plate construction type. Looks like a lot of recommendations for the shuguang tube , so I may give them a go. i appreciate all the input.
The box plate is a pretty warm tube. If you amp has coupling capacitors you may want to consider a change there.
Although I wouldn't describe the Gold Lion KT 88 re-issues as lush, they offer a nicely balanced, smooth presentation. These replaced NOS Sylvania 6CA7's in my Bob Latino ST 70. I thought they retained a touch of EL 34 sweetness, but were more robust with better bass control. Currently using them ( GL KT88's) as drivers in my Line Magnetic 218IA.
Sometimes there is more range in the front end tubes for tone shaping.
have used both mullard cv4003 and raytheon 5814. amp is used with digital front end and omega full range speakers. listen to mostly acoustic music on this system and enjoy a fuller more textured sound .
Your amp puts the 12AU7 heater in series with the cathode resistor for the KT88. Using front end tubes with different heater draw, like the 5814, will change the output tube operating point a little bit.
Take my words with a grain of salt, as I have no experience with your amp nor the SED KT88. And, I'm a musical instrument amp guy - I deal in Fenders, Marshalls, Ampegs and whatnot. However, the solutions that come to mind are the New Sensor Gold Lion KT88 and the Shuguang KT88SC.
Many enjoy the Gold Lion KT88 and it's the cat's meow amongst new production options. Given what I've read, without some hours, some say they can have a neutral/clinical/uninspiring sound. To achieve that more romantic/organic feel, they would likely require some burn-in. McShane and others can offer more info on this one, especially considering the triode operation.
I have experience with the Shuguang KT88SC. It's sold as the Penta KT88SC from Doug's Tubes, and the Preferred Series KT88 from the Tubestore. If I can be bold, I get the impression it's a poor-man's Treasure series tube. My test was using the Ampeg V5 (sort of a Marshall JCM800 take with 6550's). Compared to Sovtek, EH, and JJ, I felt the KT88SC had a slightly enriched and romantic character. I also tried them in a few other amps, and I got the same impression and results to one degree or another. Kinda reminds me of playing with RCA black plate 6L6GC's in a Blackface Fender Twin Reverb. The upgrade experience like is "umami", you get that "ahh" that when the tone settles into your ears.
How did the New Sensor Tungsol 6550 treat you?
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May your tubes be lively and long-lasting. Holy be thy heater.
the tung sol is a nice tube and used them for over a year until a friend let me borrow a couple SEDs. Can only characterize the SED as sounding more real to my ears and hence the search for something similar. have used the GL in other amps with good results, but was not crazy about them in the unison- perhaps i had not given them enough time as your description of clinical /mechanical was dead on.
Ivan may just have the ticket. Those Shuguang and PSVane tubes are apparently some of the best. Most descriptions kinda match my KT88SC description, but they are a cut above still in sound, construction and style. From what I read, the fancier Chinese stuff is a about a richer, more musical yet still fairly natural presentation. I found the KT88SC had a more open soundstage and more separation versus compression of different elements in the signal. If these $400 a quad tubes are anything like it, they would be amazing in HiFi. Again, I have no experience with the GL-KT88, but perhaps its like smooth, polished, cool marble versus a freshly-baked velvety cake?
That said, the SED KT88 will run you a very pretty penny, and they're not getting cheaper. Maybe it wouldn't be bad to try something in the same range, but that at least is still in production, readily available and more easily warrantied.
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May your tubes be lively and long-lasting. Holy be thy heater.
when talking about tubes and tube amps.
That sometimes means either emphasized mids, or worse, gobs of even harmonic distortion. =:-0
That said, if you are willing to take the risk, the current production PSVANE grey glass KT88's, the ones selling for about $400 a matched quad, are about as fine a sounding KT88/6550 tube as I am yet to hear, at least in one particular home brew PP amp.
Ivan, how do they compare to other KT88's you have used?
Edits: 04/01/14 04/01/14
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