Best kt88 for VAC Avatar Super

Lrg36, GF will push anything (they think) they can monopolize, as it was with the Black Treasure series, in the beginning, when they 'claimed' they had 'exclusive' North American distributorship for the Black Treasure tubes -- that is until everyone found out it wasn't true, and when at least one online tube seller I know brought legal action against them! So you can understand if I'm a bit suspicious about their (latest) story regarding the Psvane line ;~)

Mjcmt: I have been dealing with Clark (at Good Component) for over four years, and have sent him many very happy customers. You can even request that your matched premium KT88-Z's (Shuguang Black Treasures) have the strongest emission readings (greater than 50 mA) and if he doesn't have any on hand, and you're willing to wait a couple of weeks, he will hand pick them for you right at the factory when there's a new production run. Not only that, but he seems to have the best prices of anyone. The last time I bought a quad, they were $357 (for two matched premium pair), including PayPal and DHL airfrieght. That's what I call 'service'! BTW, Clark also sells Psvane tubes -- probably a lot cheaper than GF!
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Might also try Agon member Trelja if you are interested in the Black Treasures or Psvane - Joe is very knowledgeable and reliable, and offers great pricing (speaking as a satisfied tube customer)

Alonski, how are you making out?

Maineiac,

Great timing. I just read your post while me and my wife are casually listening to some great LPs I picked today. One of them is my forth copy of Getz/Gilberto and it's an original pressing in great shape, and not more than 2 minutes before reading your post, I turned to my wife and said, "wow, the new tubes finally burned-in! I am so familiar with this album, and hearing its lushness without loss of detail is making me smile!

A few weeks ago, I rolled a quad of Tung-Sol 6sn7s and a quad of Genelex Gold Lion KT88s (all new issue) and suffered through weeks of crappy, almost unbearable sound from my Phi 200. I even called in for a return authorization for the tubes, I was so frustrated because the very nice people at Tube Depot said they should sound good right out of the box... uh, not so much. It took at least 60 hours for the Tung-sols and about 40 hours for the Genelex.

I just put on Waltz For Debbie... Oh does this LP sound gooood! And I suspect there's more burn-in to come, this is probably just the beginning.

Also, this week I'm getting a set of 6SN7s from Brent who is going to audition the ones he's testing and matching for me on an identical amp and marking the positions to install them in! (I always feel taken care of by VAC) Then, after these hand-tested and selected and auditioned tubes burn in, I'll be able to A/B the driver sets and report back. After that I'll do the same for the KT88s. This is so much fun. Bill Evans is sounding so good right now, maybe better than I've ever heard it... but I will do the A/B before committing to that.

Thanks for asking!
Alón

Great to know that you are having fun. I just rolled in new tubes too but my experience with break-in is not as dramatic. ENJOY!