@bgross , +1, I love Winged C’s, the only tube I enjoy more are GEC NOS. But it’s today and prices are crazy. I think the new GL’s are pretty good. I seem to go between the GL’s and Tung Sol KT-120’s. I recently had Rogue build my M-180’s into the Dark version and all new tubes. I hit about $4k with shipping both ways. What was interesting is they only offered Psvane KT-88’s based on current market reliability issues. I paid $475 for an octet with the plan of going to something better after burn in and setup. But the Psvanes are surprisingly good. I’m looking at new speakers and might need to go KT-120’s for bass depending on what I get. To the OP I’d really consider having your amp inspected and brought up to spec in addition to considering new tubes. My Rogue lost a single resistor in one of the input/phase circuits thus affecting the amp. However I sent both in for a checkup and was told that both had tired bridge rectifiers which effects SQ and would have ultimately failed. That’s a nice amp , fix it feed it , cherish it, play it every day. Cheers , Mike.
KT88 Tubes
I am new to tube amps having acquired a Harmon Kardon Citation II about a year ago. A little while ago I started experiencing one of the channels dropping out and an occasional loud pop. Today I noticed one of the KT88 tubes glowing purple where the rest glow orange so I have assumed that the tube has gone bad. As I bought this amp used, I have no idea of the age of the tubes. So I have a couple of questions. First, should I replace just the two tubes on the bad channel with a matched pair, or should I replace all 4 tubes with all 4 being matched. Second, any recommendations for good quality KT88 tubes? Any other thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.