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Better than KT-88s?

The KT-88 has always been my favorite octal output tube, 6550s being too harsh and EL-34s being too soft at the frequency extremes. However I just re-tubed one of set of amps with Sovtek's new 6550WE (RAM-tested) and have been most impressed. They seem to have the magical midrange of the EL-34 but with much better frequency extension and much tighter bass. I was completely unaware of this tube until recently but to my ears the KT-88 has some serious competition. Anyone else have experience with this tube?
khrys
budrew
467 posts
 
The recent Vacuum Tube Valley magazine compared several KT88 and 6550 tubes. The top tube was a KT88, but the 6550s were very close.
lafish
151 posts
 
I tend to like sound from EL34. The best sound I ever heard is VAC EL34 int amp driving Sonus Faber Amati. Even I cannot get such level or sonic feel when I drive Amati with different types of equipments.
ladderlake's avatar
ladderlake
21 posts
 
Lafish...........what specific VAC amp are you refering to? Was in running the 34's in triode mode?

Thanks
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Budrew: For both 6550 and KT88, what were the preferred tubes in that test and why?
budrew
467 posts
 
I no longer have the issue, but the preferred KT88 was one of those rare old Gold Lion versions that now go for something like $125 a pop. The truth hurts.
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