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Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?

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Posted on December 12, 2022 at 12:36:29
John PA
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Location: The lower 48.
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A few things like the base and the mica look different to me.


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Look suspicious , posted on December 12, 2022 at 14:31:28
Steve O
Audiophile

Posts: 12383
Location: SE MI
Joined: September 6, 2001
 Base ring is too shiny, base is a little redder than expected, weld pattern on anode looks wrong. Difficult to say for sure wo having more detail in pics, esp of getter holder(s), grid radiators and anode structure.

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on December 12, 2022 at 15:03:42
Chris Garrett
Bored Member

Posts: 16675
Location: Miami, Florida
Joined: October 9, 1999
Contributor
  Since: June 19, 2000

Matched quad of 1974, all from the same week and I had another quad, all from the same week, 13 weeks apart in '74. I bought a '73 as a spare, but I don't have the pic handy.

Chris




 

They look too new to be old. nt, posted on December 12, 2022 at 17:21:44
Alpha Al
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Contributor
  Since: December 3, 2015
 ?

 

Looks like fakes to me., posted on December 12, 2022 at 20:37:44
garymuffley
Dealer

Posts: 445
Location: Maryland
Joined: March 29, 2006
 The photos resemble Electro Harmonix KT 88s.

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on December 13, 2022 at 05:36:08
The Dill
Audiophile

Posts: 2199
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Contributor
  Since: February 3, 2016
 The base on the right one looks crooked.

 

Yes, that looks very out of character for GEC . ., posted on December 13, 2022 at 11:35:00
John PA
Audiophile

Posts: 4019
Location: The lower 48.
Joined: August 27, 2000
 and the tubes don't look right to me. Too pristine and a lot like 2 tube manufactures from China.


iBasso DX300MAX Ti. Focal Utopia and Stellia. iBasso SR2. Mr. Speakers, Ether II, Voce stats. Manley, Absolute headphone amp. LTA MZ3, Z10e electrostatic amp. Many other headphones, amps, cables etc.

 

More images of the KT88 GEC, posted on December 13, 2022 at 11:40:21
John PA
Audiophile

Posts: 4019
Location: The lower 48.
Joined: August 27, 2000









iBasso DX300MAX Ti. Focal Utopia and Stellia. iBasso SR2. Mr. Speakers, Ether II, Voce stats. Manley, Absolute headphone amp. LTA MZ3, Z10e electrostatic amp. Many other headphones, amps, cables etc.

 

Don't the GEC KT88 normally have side getter? , posted on December 13, 2022 at 12:22:19
John PA
Audiophile

Posts: 4019
Location: The lower 48.
Joined: August 27, 2000
 The ones in the images do not have side getter.


iBasso DX300MAX Ti. Focal Utopia and Stellia. iBasso SR2. Mr. Speakers, Ether II, Voce stats. Manley, Absolute headphone amp. LTA MZ3, Z10e electrostatic amp. Many other headphones, amps, cables etc.

 

Here they are, posted on December 13, 2022 at 12:28:04
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17302
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002




"Brand:
Guiguang, China"

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

Wow, that is them. , posted on December 13, 2022 at 12:46:17
John PA
Audiophile

Posts: 4019
Location: The lower 48.
Joined: August 27, 2000
 The guy that bought the tubes got them from a Japanese seller who said without question, they are GEC authentic but I haven't used any and am not familiar with them.

Thank you.


iBasso DX300MAX Ti. Focal Utopia and Stellia. iBasso SR2. Mr. Speakers, Ether II, Voce stats. Manley, Absolute headphone amp. LTA MZ3, Z10e electrostatic amp. Many other headphones, amps, cables etc.

 

RE: Wow, that is them. , posted on December 13, 2022 at 13:15:22
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17302
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 I wonder if the Japanese seller knew? He could have been fooled as well.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

I thought the Genelex did NOT have holes in the plates? /nt, posted on December 13, 2022 at 13:38:41
Story
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Posts: 10455
Location: NJ
Joined: December 11, 2000



 

They don't, posted on December 13, 2022 at 13:45:49
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17302
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 These are cheap Chinese knock offs made by "Guiguang".

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on December 14, 2022 at 01:10:18
GeorgePope
Audiophile

Posts: 102
Location: Havant , UK
Joined: March 15, 2017
 fake . GEC KT88 do not have shiny , chrome base sleeves . GEC stickers don't look right either

 

Also..., posted on December 14, 2022 at 01:12:51
GeorgePope
Audiophile

Posts: 102
Location: Havant , UK
Joined: March 15, 2017
 Sticker and inking too . 'Made in UK' as well as 'Made in England'

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on December 14, 2022 at 06:24:04
sony6060
Audiophile

Posts: 1465
Location: USA
Joined: August 8, 2014
 Real GEC have a side getter.

 

Some do some don't (nt), posted on December 14, 2022 at 08:57:22
Steve O
Audiophile

Posts: 12383
Location: SE MI
Joined: September 6, 2001

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on December 17, 2022 at 19:42:04
maxhifi
Audiophile

Posts: 584
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 4, 2004
 Shape of glass envelope also looks wrong.

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on December 22, 2022 at 12:27:45
tomservo
Manufacturer

Posts: 8208
Joined: July 4, 2002
 Do they really make Mullard audio tubes in England again?

 

Anything . . . , posted on December 23, 2022 at 14:16:03
John PA
Audiophile

Posts: 4019
Location: The lower 48.
Joined: August 27, 2000
 is possible but not always probable.


iBasso DX300MAX Ti. Focal Utopia and Stellia. iBasso SR2. Mr. Speakers, Ether II, Voce stats. Manley, Absolute headphone amp. LTA MZ3, Z10e electrostatic amp. Many other headphones, amps, cables etc.

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on December 27, 2022 at 11:07:59
opalize
Audiophile

Posts: 109
Location: NorCal
Joined: March 18, 2021
 "Do they really make Mullard audio tubes in England again?"

No

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on January 16, 2023 at 07:54:33
tubular.well
Dealer

Posts: 223
Joined: March 4, 2013
 "Made in England" is a give-away". These are fakes ( could be good tubes
in spite of that )

 

RE: Some do some don't (nt), posted on February 13, 2023 at 17:18:13
leftside
Audiophile

Posts: 1
Location: Vancouver
Joined: May 26, 2016



The earliest KT88 only had top getters.

The posted KT88 are definitely fakes made in China.

 

RE: Some do some don't (nt), posted on March 20, 2023 at 19:06:18
mkane77g1
Audiophile

Posts: 24
Location: CA
Joined: January 2, 2023



Just comparing thanks

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on March 20, 2023 at 23:18:27
belyin
Audiophile

Posts: 1285
Location: New Orleans
Joined: November 1, 2003
 Mine (from an old Citation II--probably worn out so don't get too excited!) say "Gt Britain" not "Made in England"

 

RE: Do these look like real GEC KT88 tubes?, posted on March 21, 2023 at 07:25:47
mkane77g1
Audiophile

Posts: 24
Location: CA
Joined: January 2, 2023
 The tubes in the pic I posted say Made in England.

 

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