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RE: Shuguang Treasure KT88-Z vs PSVane KT88T with Cary

Posted by JKT on January 2, 2017 at 13:17:32:
One thing to consider is the fact that the SLI-80 has no provision to balance the bias current in the output pairs. You can only adjust the overall bias of the pair. Using tubes with a reputation for wandering bias opens the possibility for mismatch and a saturated OPT core with attendant loss of bass and increased distortion.

FWIW, I used to own an SLI-80 (buddy of mine was Marketing Director of Cary at the time and got me a deal at the factory). Had all the upgrades installed. Tried all kinds of tubes. White label PQs, "Pinched Waist" Amperexes, Siemens CCAs, Various 6SN7s and a matched quad of NOS matched GEC KT-88s. And don't over look the rectifiers. They can make a difference. I settled on Mullard 5AS4s. In the end the best move that I made was selling it and moving on. I could not overcome the inherent limitations of the design by "rolling" tubes. My rebuilt and "modded" Eico HF-89 ran circles around it. The big DIY mono-blocks which came later are in another league entirely.