KR Audio KT88 Vacuum Tubes

I am one of the dealers for KR and have had them in my own Art Audio Opus 4s. They have the same power output as a typical KT88 but the plate dissipation of a KT120.  They will last longer.  This is the same recipe KR used on their 300Bs.  Plate dissipation is 50w vs. standard Western Electric Spec of 40w.  

In practice, they are more linear. "Better" top end and tighter bottom end.  This means tighter bass response but also means a brighter presentation which is why better is in quotes.  In my system I found them to be too bright and shifted to a different tube compliment.  My amps also accept KT120s and I opted for those to get just the right tonal balance I was looking for.  If you are looking for more top end energy and tighter bass, they are incredible.  If you are happy with the Gold Lions tonal profile, move on.  

@verdantaudio , as a dealer, perhaps you can answer a question on where they’re manufactured? 
 

This Moon Audio listing claims made in the USA which could help some justify their higher price. However, I thought KR was based in Czechoslovakia and their tubes manufactured in Russia.

“Made in the USA, these tubes stand out for their superior performance and reliability, making them a valuable addition to any high-fidelity audio system.”

If you're willing to open your wallet, get the REAL DEAL

British Gold Lion.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186560456694?_nkw=gold+lion+kt88&itmmeta=01J7BW38T50QXFRTDTGHM5S26B&hash=item2b6fdea7f6:g:D5QAAOSwYeJmlDCD&amdata=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8Mxmj%2BiGvOveHXEBClPb29gAn9iiQXLBaV4e7LUjgAGktdik7lmMDiJnagl5UYqCxJm2SqOKd3eBhny79m2ofgCSveIN%2BvIBX%2BlfiQG52EdcdKorWnKfMUCptof5Qvm7fw5QkhXsNfQZGMUgB5c27VND3b15yIVY1nx%2F6NsJWHtWx9OC2RRg4X89U1K449c31tOzADCRunHveZ%2FFPVO3TSb2leO9ouW0pbhEwI6O5ACUOXguggZlyKW6urbWmDL3A46B93O51DDCJo135CdcMxSZs60AFImfBF8mQVzuXcrvlI3k1oeLdAlPf86aDHXSGw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5KNjfy6ZA

VerdantAudio... just looked at your site. Very impressive offering. And thank you for the perfect answer. Which begs the question... Other than blue, how is the SQ of the Sophia Electric KT88s vs the Gold Lion.

Moon Audio folks are nice folks and honest. If made in the USA is on their site it’s an honest error on their part. Czechoslovakia is correct for KR. Still higher cost for manufacturing than Russia and they are likely a much smaller company.

There non-KT88 tubes are made in the Czech Republic.  KR occupies Tesla’s factory in Prague.  They are not Russian. 
 

I do not know who makes the KT88s.  I thought it was EAT.