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I'm installing the tubes4hifi 12AU7 driver boards in a pair of Dynaco MkIIIs for someone, and we need to choose the output tubes.
He describes his listening tastes as 80% Classical and 20% Dave Brubeck style jazz. Speakers are Sansui SP-3500. And he is older, which may have some bearing on perception of higher frequencies. I doubt the amps will be pushed hard. Preamp is a Marantz 7T that was reportedly completely serviced a few years ago, with some new electrolytics installed.
The budget limits us to current production types.
Suggestions for system synergy?
Follow Ups:
JJ-KT88 from Eurotubes.com is a winner, and with good warranty for those that are nervous. ( not affiliated with eurotubes)
What Eli said.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
Thanks for the suggestions. Just to ask the question, how does the EH KT90 stack up? I ask because I did another pair of MkIII > 10 years ago and used EI KT90s, no longer available. Those were wonderful.
The EH KT90 started out as a POS. It has gotten better, but it remains behind both good EI KT90s (the last specimens made were trash) and the "reissue" GL.
Unless there is clear, convincing, evidence that EI made KT90s predate the end of production junk, pass them by. Mere claims and promises will not do. Don't get ripped off.
Eli D.
The "best" current production KT88 is New Sensor's "reissue" Gold Lion.
If money is very tight, buy ElectroHarmonix (EH) KT88s. Other than being a tad bass shy, the EH variant is fine and it is an excellent value.
Discuss the need with AA sponsor Jim McShane.
Eli D.
I agree with you Eli, those reissue GL from Jim are not only the best value they are reliable as all get out.
Psvane Tll are slightly more musical IMO but more costly.
I couldn't agree stronger about the Gold Lion KT-88 from New Sensor. The problem is that they are relatively expensive but certainly not near as much as NOS. I think they are worth the money. I didn't care for the EH.
What Mechans said :)
The GLs are nice. But for a warmer sound, the Mullard KT88s will offer a warmer presentation that the GLs.
Also the Tungsol 6550s are a nice tube. Have a set of those in a pair of MC60s.
best
You are the 1st person I have heard give any feedback concerning the Mullard KT88. Have you compared the GL and Mullards or heard both?
have a quartet of each. The Mullard 88's have a fuller, much warmer sounding midrange than the GLs or the Tungsols. Not too far off the original Mullards from the UK.
Have the Mullard KT88s in a PL dialog amp with Jensen copper foil caps, and MILLs WW for the plate and cathode resistors.
If your re-worked amp is a tad on the warm side, the Mullards might be too much of a good thing. All depends on the other components that are used.
The Tungsol 6550s sound great (well balanced) in a Mac 275 or CJ MV75.
As one other poster noted, there are also some premium KT88s out there, but have not tried em.
Thanks John appreciate it. I was always interested in the Mullards but could never find much feedback.
NP.
Just don't forget (as am sure you are aware), the coupling caps also influence the tonal qualities of a given amp.
If you are using Russian K40s, the Mullard 88's might be a bit too much, so would opt for the GLs or the Tungsols. On the other hand if you are using a V-cap for couplers, then the Mullard 88's may be a nice selection.
I do remember John you mentioning the cap upgrade path. I have not gone down that path with my Primaluna Dialogue Premium. Right now I am using the GL KT88 and experimenting with 12AU7. I have some NEC 12AU7 Mullards(highly recommended) on the way so once I get these evaluated I'll have a good sense of the direction I am headed. So far, I like the GL however, it is amazing how much influence they have on the overall sound and tone.
forget that GLs, Mullards or EH stuff! Penta KT88 SC beats each of those!
"How the fuck did our oil come under their sand?"
Edits: 03/27/17 03/27/17
Thanks for the heads up Nunki. In what way do the Pentas beat the GL and Mullards in your opinion?
well, in MY gear (rogue audio ATLAS MAGNUM) the pentas sound crispy, fast and lifelike. great even for classic music.
previously i tested KT88 brands like GL(reissue), JJs, Sovtek, Treasure Z, Svetlana winged C, Psvane KT88 T-Mk II, Ei KT90, TS KT120 etc.
the Tresure Z is a great KT88 too but finally i sticked with the pentas. they do nothing wrong.
N.
"How the fuck did our oil come under their sand?"
The PentaLabs run is over, now sold by the tubestore.com as the Prefered Series KT88. Even come with a 6 month warranty. Dougs tubes also has them under the "Ruby" name I believe.
This is the "best" currently manufactured KT88 on the market.
Ruby isn't listing the KT88SC (KT88V-STR) on their site at present, so I wonder if Doug's Tubes is only selling remaining stock purchased from Ruby.
The TubeStore apparently has them as its Preferred Series KT88.
That is something I calculate into tube choices. If, for example, one tube fails in the first few months, do you want to find out that you can't get them anymore?
the Rubys have holes in the anode plate. the penta SC have solid plates and definitely no holes!
"How the fuck did our oil come under their sand?"
Doug's Tubes stocks two versions of the Ruby tube, the KT88-STR, which is the Shuguang Kt88-98, three holes and the KT88V-STR which have the solid plates and is his current substitute for the Penta KT88SC.
The Ruby KT88V-STR solid plate is supposedly the same tube, the Preferred Series, that Tubestore sells.
I'm using them right now and I love them.
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