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I'm sure this post has been asked before but I'm going to ask it anyway. I am looking for some inmates insights to new production 6550/KT88 tubes that I wish to use in my McIntosh MC60's. I had some bad experiences in the past with Teslovak KT88S tubes. I had some spectacular failures when the cathodes flaked and shorted the grids. I'm starting to run out of my stash of GE 6550A tubes and Tung Sol 6550's and need to find some good sounding,reliable replacements. My Mac's run 505V plate rather than the stock 405V so it should be a consideration. Any insights would be appreciated.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
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I like some of the Chinese offerings, like the Penta Labs KT88SC and the Treasure Black bottles. Very good sound and reliable in my amp.
The king of this tube type IMO is the EI KT90. NOS ones are available at TCtubes now at a fairly reasonable rate.
I have not tried the EI KT90 but I have heard good things about them. I do like their 12BH7's which I do run in my amps to help prolong depleting my stash of RCA black plates. I have tried the Penta Labs KT88S with the same bad results from cathode problems. I think they were also made by Tesla at that time and not made in China. I had good results with some of the Chinese KT88's and 6550's but they did not last long. They did sound good though.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
Caucasian is right about getting from McShane...The Genelex KT88 is perfect for the Mc60s..You won't go wrong.
"
Like others have said, contact Shane and get the GL because they are rock solid! I will be buying another quad since I sold them and bought the Shuguang BT and one of them just died with less than 5 months use.
Noticed last night that my left channel volume kept going up and down, then noticed that one of the tubes wouldn't bias so I removed them and installed the Vac selected KT88. I'm going to stick with tried and tested KT88, thankful nothing catastrophic happened...
Wig
Thank you Mikey and Caucasian Blackplate - those are very kind words!!
And I agree with Mike - the KT88 Genalex is a great tube and an excellent choice.
Thanks Jim,
Any problem with the cathodes flaking? As I mentioned in my post I run 505V rail in my Macs. It is also have a rather stiff power supply. I had the misfortune of having a couple of Teslovak KT88S tubes fail in rather spectacular fashion when the cathodes flaked and shorted the grids. Also I had problems with SED 6550C tubes not working well in my amps as the plates had a bit of glow to them.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
The current production of the Genalex is bulletproof. I am not aware of any issues with them at all right now.
I can vouch for the KT-88SC as being reliable. Never had a problem with them. The Re-Issue GL from Jim McShane should be a safe bet. My favorite tube of that type is the GE 6550A, but good luck trying to find them.Right now, my current power amp uses a quad of these (1625). I love the sound from this tube. They certainly do not make them like this anymore...
"What this country needs is a good 5 watt amplifier!" (Paul Klipsch)
Edits: 10/31/14 10/31/14
The EH KT 88 I got from Jim last year installed in my ARC Classic 150 monoblocks are excellent tubes also . They get better as they age and I 've had no regrets getting this tubes for my amps. It also made my Classic 150 reliable amps. According to Jim its got 95 percent performance of the Gold Aero. By the way EH & Gold Aero is made by the same company.
Thanks for the correction Jim its Gold Lion not Gold Aero . My mistake .
Mondial
I think you meant Gold Lion (Genalex), not Gold Aero - correct?
PM Jim McShane, he'll know exactly what you need, sell them to you at a reasonable price, and not ignore you if you have any issues.
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