2. amps-preamps
  3. 161850-139155

Tube rolling with Quicksilver Mono 60s -- from KT77 to KT88? KT 120? etc.

Happy Turkey Day!  I have Quicksilver 60 Monos and I'm using Gold Lion KT77s. They sound great. The amp came with JJ KT88s and they were a bit bright/harsh. The GL 77s are better.

For variety's sake, I'm thinking of having another set to just try for variation. The monos can use KT77, KT90, KT88, KT120 or KT150 outputs.

I have heard the Gold Lion KT88s are great tubes, but I'd also be open to others (not more 77s, though).

Does anyone one have a sense of the kinds of sound changes might be brought by either KT90 or better KT88 or KT120 or KT150s?

If it matters, I'm using a QS Line stage and stand mount speakers, 8 ohm 87 db.

One thing I'm looking for (possibly) is a somewhat tighter bass, but I'd be open to hearing what other sonic changes might result from other tubes.

Thanks.

hilde45

Showing 10 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
@tablejockey Those are honkin' tubes. Would they work in my amp? I don't know. They're not on the list the amp came with.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
I see. I listed the tubes my amp can handle, that's why I'm asking. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
Thank you, folks. And special thanks to you oldhvymec for the time you took with your post. I'm tempted to get the GL KT88s but may I ask a question? When you say "signal valve" what do you mean? I'm a bit new to this stuff. 

In my rig I have two tubes in my line stage -- are those the signal valve?

Otherwise, in my mono amps, I have (starting from the rca input plug) (a) an input and (b) a driver tube before I get to (c) two output tubes.

So which is the "signal" tube you're suggesting I play with?

Thanks again and hope your holiday was festive! 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
Thanks, oldhvy. Here's what I currently have (all closely matched) in addition to the outputs:

12AT7/6201 Valvo made for Amperex/Philips, gold pin selected tubes, (1962/1968)
12AX7 Amperex Holland Bugle Boy (1960/1962)
12BH7A RCA (Greyplate)

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
Thanks, Table jockey. I'll keep that in mind.

Thanks, oldhvy. I got good advice from decooney and Brent Jessee. The JJ in power position were broken in.

Yes, I did have the good signal valves in with the JJ.

And remember--I don't have JJ's in now. I have GL KT77's in powerposition.

I suppose I'm not trying to eliminate nasties as experience some other possibilities. Let's call it "Kama Sutra, tube-style."

So, perhaps a GL KT88 is a good way to play.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
@tvad There's no way I'd spend more than $250 on this quad. I'd buy the re-issue not NOS.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
Great advice. I'll  try really good KT88s, not sure how they'll change things but they're a basic tube and my stock JJ's are not really that good, so I'll just rotate between them and the KT77's.

No one has said a word about KT90s....
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
@glowworm -- harsh highs with GL 88? Whoa. I don't need that. Not just to play around.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestion. It seems like you are saying to consider the preamp as an important factor. I agree. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,425 posts
 
Not in my manual. Perhaps they're equivalent?
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