6550 vs KT88 vs KT90

Notwithstanding the above comments, the sound of the tubes is dependent upon the amp. I had KT-90's in my prior amp (Jadis Defy7 Mk4) and now have Svet EL-34's in my Manley Designer Ref 250 mono's. The Manley's have simultaneously better bass (pitch, tightness, extension) and a more lush involving midrange and sweeter highs. I know the power specs are quite different (250++ w/ch for the Manley's and 100 w/ch for the Jadis), but they are similarly priced. I'm not an expert (in any way shape or form), but I do find this an interesting thread. BTW, is it possible to experiment with the 6550C's, KT90's, and KT88's on an EL-34 designed amp? Manley also has a Designer Ref 500 amp which uses 10 6550C's/ch vs. the Designer Ref 250's 10 EL-34's/ch. For what it helps, the Manley amps are "designed with high plate voltage/low plate current".

Great post Trelja! Hi to you too, Craig! I agree that the transformers must be an important aspect of tube amp designs. So much depends on an amp's ability to recover (and not introduce nasty harmonics in doing so) from transients / dynamics (even relatively low level ones). They really make or break an amp. Though my experience is fairly limited (own a Manley, owned a Jadis Defy7, and listened in my system to ARC VT100 MkII and VT200), I can't deny the magic I'm hearing through my EL34 based Manley amps, especially with the Svet EL34's. Craig, my good friend has a DNA2 LAE with Rev A from Steve McCormack. It is by any solid state standard a top notch amplifier IMHO. I LOVE that amp. In several ways, I felt it bettered the ARC VT200. However, after listening to my amps for a few weeks in his system, he is making the switch to tubes. It is definitely worth the experimentation to find a tube amp that "does it for you". Good luck and great thread! Jordan

Sorry Craig, forgot to comment on bass. I think the bass from the DNA2 is tighter, but not better. Oddly enough, when directly comparing the ARC VT200 to my friend's DNA2, I thought the ARC better portrayed the sound of a double bass and other low frequency instruments. I won't wax on the "magic" of my Manley's, but I'd say the ARC is better than my Manley's overall. Tube amps can do bass "right" in the right system! Hope it helps. Jordan