Krys, I found the KT90 to have the best bass of the three, far and away.
Yeah but these Svet 6550's with Defy7 powering/new M Supreme SG caps, + Seas Thors new Munorf xovers = bass like a sub amp, So 6550's offer tons of bass.
But also, from what i ;'ve read on disc boards, beats out the 90 in terms of wider, more open sound stage.
No i have to side with the 6550(=kt88, exact same tube) vs the 90, which may as you say be more clinical, detailed (less warm, warm to me means more mellow the reverse of warm is more attacking, more forward,,which if i recall the EIkt90's in my Jadis Orch Refer were more forward, attacking,,and,,harsh. The EH kt90 i am sure does not suffer from this harsh weakness as did the wayyy over rated EIKT90/ Glad that tube is now extinct.
No I have to give the edge to the 6550/88 (same exact tube) over the nice, but no cigar,,KT90.