Just got the chance to listen to KT100 Valve Art. Very Powerful sounding. A DIY P-P Mono 2 each side 60 watts driving a pair of big AR9 to a very satisfying level. Bass is tigh and rounded, may not be as low as SS amp but very enjoyable. Highs seems like there no row off, to some it may be a little too emphasized but I think it sounds extented and very dynamic(Tested by Time from Darkside of the moon-Pink Floyd)Intro of this track kicks in with alarm clocks and bells. Only a very slight hint of sharp edges which I think can be trimmed by some tuning, if you are familiar with this song you know this is quite good already. Mids may not be as smooth as EL34 but the richness, gutsiness and liveliness make it forgiveable. Downside, may not be the choice for SET lovers, KT100 is a typical all rounder tube. Tubey sounding? of course. Reliability? I don't know but VA claims that KT100s are their highest quality and higher workrate selected bunch of KT88. I hope it live up to this claim.
Thanks Bombaywalla and Psam.
One thing about Prima Luna is that it's auto bias, to many this could be a selling point but to me, I still prefer to have better control over the amp especially in the area of bias. Cayin is more what I like.
Winged C-6550 should be more preferred over their KT88.
If you still searching and uncertain, go for EH KT88. If you have a choice in mind, compare it with the EH first before you spend your hard earned money. KT100? I like this tube. What I heard in Asia about TungSol RI 6550 is a mixbag, some say it sounds like Sovtek and some say that it sounds 70% of the Org Tungsol. Abstract isn't it?
My audio philosophy is simple and may sounds stupid. "Always let your amp bully your speakers, never let you speakers bully your amp". So power is important, anything can give me a satisfying top to bottom passed the first audition.
