Premium KT88s worth it

[mashaffer]

Looking for opinions on whether Winged C or Gold Lion KT88s are worth the extra cost over EH (in the $100 pair range v.x. the $60s range). Are they lower distortion or more rugged or...?

mike

 

[xmas111]

I'm not a tube expert by any stretch of the imagination but I put a quad of Gold Lion KT88s in my MC-100B and I'm very happy with them.:yes:

John

 

[BmWr75]

Same here....am running a quad of GL KT88s ib my PrimaLuna amp. They sound great.

 

[jaymanaa]

Yes, unass the wallet.:yes:

 

[klama2006]

I never tried the Winged C or Gold Lion KT88s, but went with the Blue JJ's, and have been happy with them.

 

[Rex Everything]

Yes, unass the wallet.:yes:

I thought you like the EH?

 

[PR Audio]

Can't tell you about the Winged C, but the Gold Lion are definitely worth every penny. But, since you are at it, how about going for Shuguang Treasure KT88-Z, only a few bucks more!

 

[Stewie]

I wanted to hear the difference between the Gold Lions and the EHs but couldn't; both sounded good to my ear. Your results may vary. Have not heard winged c kt88s.

 

[thevic24]

In my Latino ST-120, I have tried the Sovtek KT88, EH6550's, EH KT88's, and
the GL KT88's.

The Sovtek's were "ok" but had reliability issues. The EH6550's, IMO, where 10X better vs the Sovtek's.

The EH KT88's and GL's sounded almost the same to me with the EH's having a tad tighter and lower bass response.

With the EH KT88's cost difference and performance, I now cant see spending nearly double the difference. Of course, other amps will have different results.

Just my experience with the 2...

-Vic

 

[tim614]

I've stop asking, eventually I'll convince myself to jump for a try.

 

[jaymanaa]

I thought you like the EH?

That's untill I heard the GLs in a Deuce. May have been the iron though, huh?

 

[Number 6]

If you have the chance, I'd recommend trying the JJ KT88's. I've heard nearly every type of KT88 and 6550 that New Sensor makes including the Gold Lion, and I just feel the JJ's are a smoother more pleasant sounding tube with no fatigue factor. That's what I use in my Cary Rocket 88 along with Herbie's tube dampers. Great response through the whole freq. range. I think the JJ's are just better than the Gold Lion's, but I suppose that can differ in any particular amp. I do know I can't stand any EH or Sovtek tube, I think they sound like crap. I always replace them right away whenever I buy a tube based component. The New Sensor tubes always sound thin and bright to me.

 

[Andyman]

I've found, with a slight nudge from Kegger, that driver tubes have more impact on sound than the power tubes, so I'd roll those before dropping big bucks on the power tubes.

 

[stoutblock]

I've found, with a slight nudge from Kegger, that driver tubes have more impact on sound than the power tubes, so I'd roll those before dropping big bucks on the power tubes.

I've been very pleased with the EH KT88s in my Primaluna Prologue 7 monoblocks. I have only the stock tubes to compare with and there is no comparison. I agree the driver tubes make a huge difference in SQ. I am tempted now to buy an Octal of EL34s because currently I'm using the 7s for the high Hz in a bi-amp setup.

 

[Isotonic]

Always refreshing to hear that the most expensive option is not always the best.

 

[mashaffer]

Interesting about the JJs. They are not much more than the EH. I take it that the 88s are not one of the problem JJs.

mike

BTW, I never mentioned topology (sorry). SE UL with 6N1P drivers and Schade FB into Edcor midline OPT. Used for 70Hz and up.

 

[jaymanaa]

FWIW, I've run JJ 6L6GCs in an HK 250 and they were one of the best tubes I found. They seem more powerful than the other tubes.

 

[bobrown14]

Always refreshing to hear that the most expensive option is not always the best.

+1 I've tried the EH KT-88s in 2 amps I have with 6SN7 driven and feel the EH KT-88s sound pretty good, and I got much more "change" in sound swapping out the 6SN7's. I just got some GE 6SN7GTB (red lettering/gray plate side getter) vintage tubes and they really sound great. They were like $6 for a set of 3 matched even tho I don't need to have matched tubes in my amp. They sound perfect with my amp with the EH KT-88s. Just ask my neighbors!

Cheers,

Bob

 

[mashaffer]

BTW, what is the difference between the KT88 and 6550 and why would I chose one over the other?

mike

 

[Axcel]

BTW, what is the difference between the KT88 and 6550 and why would I chose one over the other?

mike

I'd like to hear as well?