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I run a pair of GEC smokeglass in both of my Electrohome PA100MK1's. Currently they are working excellent, I just wanted to know if anyone had any opinions for replacements.
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thanks very much fellas for your advice and impressions. I've only been into audio for approx 4yrs, and only been into tubes for a year now. Again, thanks!
I also have triode-wired Williamson amps, which can be pretty abusive to KT66s... but I see the Electrohome uses a 395V plate voltage vs. my amps' 450V, so you won't have quite as much trouble...I've had 3 quads of the Saratov / Groove Tubes KT66-HP (heavy black bakelite base, not metal) and have owned one quad of the Chinese KT66 tubes. There are advantages for either...
Sonically it is a toss-up when the tubes are new (Chinese tube is brighter, more-open, Russian tube is more refined, darker -- think 2A3 vs. 300B sound).
My set of Chinese tubes handle high power better, with less plate glow, while the Russian tubes need to be run with reduced line voltage to keep 'em from blowing up. This won't concern you as much, and will vary with production run / luck-of-the-draw.
The Chinese tubes look more like a GEC KT66, with a brown base vs. a black base, and no garish Groove Tubes logo. The Russian tubes have much thicker glass... and they don't turn brown with heavy use, like the Chinese tubes. The Russian tubes also seem to last somewhat longer (of course, I don't run them as hard).
A BIG concern is that the Chinese tubes are still in production, the Russian tubes have been recently discontinued.
Frankly, I prefer the Russian tubes, but mostly for the physical construction ... heavier glass, and a base that fits in my socket clamps. My next set will likely be Chinese, and I'm not too broken up over it.
Since your amps have 395V plates (422V with 125VAC), I think you can try either tube and not have huge trouble if you can keep the current around 60mA per tube. If you get the Russian tubes and hate them, send me an email and I'll take 'em off your hands :-)
Try the Shuguang KT66. Looks just the same (except for the clear glass), sounds great.(Don't know if they sound like the GECs, as I never have listened to them.) But the specs for the Shuguang and the GEC are very close, almost the same. I have both spec sheets right here with me. And for most of the specs, they are the same. Heater voltage 6.3, both. Heater current for the shu is 1.3, for the GEC it is 1.27. DC Anode voltage for the GEC is 500. For the Shu it is 500. As well the screen voltage is 500,GEC. 400, SHu. As I have said, almost all specs are close, if not the same. As for how they will hold up,can't say. I have had mine for only about 5 months. And love the sound. Hope this helps.
I'm very happy with my Russian made Reflektor manufactured in Saratov . They are played on my Prima Luna Prologue 2. The tubes are dated 02-02 however so if you can't find something from that date try New Sensor's Reiisued Tung Sol KT 66's as it appears they bought the factory, however I have not listened to them.
All the best.
Alex
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