KT88 choice

[Phil Y]

Hello all,

I find myself in need of a new set of KT88s for my Kat88. I had one fail today and upon testing, 2 of the remaining ones have poor k/h insulation. Only one tests good.

Does anyone have any particular preferences with KT88s ?
My current set are JJ but I have never heard any other makes in this amp so I have nothing to go on really.

I have nothing against JJ, these valves are very old and I always found JJ o/p valves to be reliable in my KEL84 but something else might sound better so I thought I would ask for opinons.

Phil.

[Riggers]

Hi Phil
My only experience re KT88's are the Golden Dragons as supplied as standard by Matthew with my WD88VA. Mine are still going strong 2 1/2 years later and sound great. Just my 2 cents worth.
Cheers
Phil.

[Richard]

Hi Phil, I tried a few KT88 and 6550 types in my Kit88 inc the JJ KT88. They were very good, dynamic, clear and detailed, the most "hifi" of the ones I tried. Svet 6550C and KT88 sound very similar to each other, warmer, softer in the highs and a little more natural in the mids to me at the time but you may miss the sparkle if you like the JJs.

[Phil Y]

Thanks for the replies Phil/Richard.

I have no reason to doubt the Golden Dragons but there seems to be very little info/opinion about them online and at about £190 for a set of 4 they are quite pricey.

Richard, I assume you are talking about the "original" Svetlana valves. These are no longer available and the "Svetlana" that are now on sale are made in the Sovtek factory. Not that that is a problem as such, but they are not the same valves.

I am currently using my "backup" old Svetlana 6550s that Greg also sold me with the amp. I preferred the sound of the JJ 88s when I compared them when I first had the amp.

I will keep researching, the 3 contenders at the moment are:
JJ £128
TAD £160
"new" Gold Lion £176

Phil.

[bob orbell]

Hi Phil, I have been using the JJ KT88 in my amp now for many years, just replaced the old with new, as I had one fail, I also have some Svetlana, but find then a bit to much in yu face, be wary of the TAD, I bought 3 ECC83's for my phono, not impressed at all, I replaced the JJ, much nicer. BOB

[Richard]

Hi Phil, yes my Svets were from 20 years ago and had the large square hole getters.