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Best kt88 for VAC Avatar Super

Hi, my Avatars tubes need to be replaced, I have read allot about new kt88 tubes. Right now I'm considering between Genalex Gold Lion KT88 to Shuguang KT88-98.
I have got dozens of recommendation about the Genalex. With a short corresponded with Kevin from VAC I have been told that the Chinese tubes are prefers, and especially the VAC KT88.
Does anyone has an experience with that issue and can give me some recommendations?
vacman
velo62
255 posts
 
I think you got your answer, who would be better qualified than Kevin on that subject? A quad of gold lions cost less than 200.00, if you want to find out for yourself its not a big investment and maybe worth a try. Best of luck.
facten
2,761 posts
 
I don't have a VAC, but if you speak with Kevin ask him if he has listened to the Shuguang Black Treasures, to my ears they are overall more musical that the GLs , base Shuguangs, JJs, SEDS - my experience with my Ayon Spirit 2
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
IMO, the Shuggie Black Treasures (KT88-Z) trump everything but the EAT's and the NOS (vintage) Gold Lions. They are as good as the vintage GL's (per my own A-B) and may be as good as the EAT's. They definitely exhibit what I call 'high transconductance sparkle', like the EAT's and the NOS GL's.

Their only negative (not really, but . . .) is they take the FULL 300 hrs. to break in! Probably for the black carbon polymer coating to cure? And no one knows (yet) how long they'll last? I've been running mine for 2 yrs come Feb. (about 3500 hrs.) If you buy them direct from China, you can get Premium matched Treasures for under $400 for 2 matched pair, shipped ;--)
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