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Can anybody give thoughts on how this tube stackes up to the regular JJ Telsa KT88s? Or any additional general production info.
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I have run the copper-bottomed Tesla KT88 in triode mode in my AES DJH Superamp, along with Chinese, Svetlana, JJ, and GEC KT88. Like the others, my money is on the Tesla. They are very refined-sounding, detailed, with a big soundstage, smooth in the mids and highs. However, if they have a weak point, in my rig at least, it is in bass extension, warmth, and dynamics. Forget the Chinese for the moment, the Svetlana, JJ, and GEC are considerably warmer in the mids, and have more dynamic and bass slam. The JJ is too warm, syrupy, and undetailed for my tastes, the Svetlanas and GECs better in this area, but still undetailed and bass-sloppy for me. The Teslas have a lot more control in the bass at the expense of extension. IMO, the GEC at the ridiculous prices you find them at these days is the most overpriced and overrated tube in audio. I find the Tung-Sol and Philips/Sylvania 6550 to be a far superior tube, and even the Ei KT90 has its charms, although too lean for my tastes. If you have to get a KT88, stick with the Svetlana or Tesla, but my money is on any of the 6550's. YMMV.
So what is this new Tesla KT88 (vrsovice) and what kind of name is that for a tube?. Who has them??
Frank
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They are my favorite KT88, although I've found EI KT90's to work best overall in MY amp. I'm told the Tesla Vrsovice is same tube as KR KT88
It is the best current production KT88. Much more finely detailed than the JJ, and a quite reasonable approximation of the GEC sound, though not as detailed or textured in the mids. Getting them to your door will run you $300, though. If you favor KT88 sound (warm, smooth, deep soundstage, textured mids) over Tung Sol 6550 sound (crisp treble, slammin' power, GREAT bass and better sonic balance, though less "polite" than the GEC KT88) they are the only game in town. I find JJs and Svetlana KT88s to be a bit "mushy," almost like they aimed for the GEC sound and smoothed off some detail along with the rough edges. Others disagree; system and taste seems to figure prominently here. My next KT88 of choice is the Shuguang/Valve Art; Penta sells the Shuguangs for just under $100/matched quad. It leans more to 6550 sound, but is crisp and balanced and quite "punchy." Chris
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