KT88 s Sovtek vs Valve Art

Not too much I can add to the other fine posts, except that I cannot emphasize how much better the old NOS MO Valve and Genalex Gold Lion/Gold Monarch KT 88 tubes are, at least in my equipment and my experience. They are terribly, terribly expensive, but they last FAR longer than any current make tubes I've used in my Jadis amps and are in a different class sonically. If you can find them at a reasonable price, and they are the real ones, they are the way to go (I know of a gentleman who claims to have gotten over 100 of them for a song from the Aberdeen, Md. tank proving grounds, where they were used in a tank vibration device--maybe we all can be so lucky!) . I recently acquired enough of them to last me till past where I can't hear any more, and I consider that to be one of the best investments I've made in years.

Albert, Cameron asked if she could come to the barbeque at your place?

Redkiwi, the KT88s I got were my present to myself on having my son graduate from college. Had to do something with the money I'd otherwise be spending on tuition, you know! On Sovtek vs. Svetlana, I agree that the Svetlanas are the best of the 6550s currently available that I have heard, and would echo the above posters' recommendations. I do note that even they only lasted 1-1/2 years in my amps, where the MO Valve KT88s have gone almost 3 now with minimal wear. At this rate, my "lifetime" supply may last beyond that!