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. 

russbargmann

Showing 1 response by johnss

@russbargmann before you insert mew tubes you may want to make sure you do not have a coupling cap leaking DC or a loose pin on a tube socket. These are two of the more common issues for power tubes red plating.