KT-77 vs. KT-66


As I've had my QS Mono 60s, I've tried a variety of tubes. I have sold off my KT 150s, and use KT-88s from time to time, but what I really love are KT77's.

I'm thinking of getting some KT66s, thinking that lower powered tubes are better (to my ears) matches for my system. I just don't know what the KT-66's sound like. 

Question: If you have compared KT77 and KT66 tubes, what would you say the sonic, audible characters of each are? Is there a difference you can hear? What does the KT66 sound like -- to you?

hilde45

Showing 2 responses by jimmy2615

I’ve been playing both these tubes this week.  I have primalunas, both tubes are from gold lion, new production.  In my system the differences are very easy to hear.  The 66s have more top end emphasis, and perhaps a bit more transparent, though that could just be the added detail on top.  The 77s are warmer, more midrange emphasis.  The bass is about the same on both.  I could see some people saying the 77s were more natural sounding and the 66s more “HiFi”.  Overall I prefer the 66s.  I was told by someone at Upscale that the primalunas mate better with the 66s based on the amps’ transformers, but I don’t know any more about that.  Having owned the stock El34s, other El34s, and the 77s, I can say that the 66s were definitely a change in sound overall and I was glad I bought them.  What do the KT88s sound like?  I need to try those!

Thanks.  I thought I’d also add, after noting some of the comments about 6L6s, I have some NOS RCA blackplate 6L6GCs.  These sound like JJSS was describing above.  The KT66s are a lot more dynamic and not as warm in my system.