KT88 choice

[Phil Y]

Thanks for the recommendation everyone but Hotrox have been my preferred seller for some time.

JJs ordered.

Not used banzai Greg, I will have a look.

Thanks all, Phil.

[bob orbell]

Yes I looked at that site Greg, I think it was you that posted some months back, but Hotrox had a lower price, don't forget the shipping cost from the German company. BOB

[Black Stuart]

Bob,
if I remember right you have bright speakers (why?) They obviously colour what you hear. I don't remember the Svetlanas being bright at all and I use Heybrook Sextets mark 1Vs that have the no longer made Tonigen ribbon tweeters.

I know why a lot of amp designers hate coupling caps because they really do influence the end sound and nearly all negatively. If the OP can find them, the Russian K73-16 0.5UF are totally transparent like Z foils, you will hear the info that is lost with virtually all other caps. My WD amp is the original KAT 88. I hav'nt used it for years but when I did I used the original Svetlana 6550 or KT88s, my preference was always for the 6550. Who knows if I used it again I would definately use the K73-16s

I bought mine from Watford Valves and Igor Popoff down in Bilbao. I listened in his home to one of his amp designs, which used to feature on the old Svetlana site. he reckoned that if you did'nt push the KT 88s hard they should last for well over 10 years +.

A tip, something I have done so many times. PCBs do not like being removed and replaced, too much de-soldering and re-soldering. Use a decent gauge of quality copper or silver wire (your choice) as permanent 'legs' to solder to, then various caps can be tried without having to constantly remove the PCB. I have found no degradation in sound at all.

[bob orbell]

Hi Stuart, yes, I had Monitor Audio PL 100,s, as it happens, I have just recently changed to the Mk II, they are very very detailed and to my ageing ears so much sweeter, as their advert say's, if a pin drops, you will hear it, very happy with them . BOB

[Phil Y]

Hello all,
Conclusion:

I have had the JJs in for about a week and am very happy with my choice.
They sound better than the old ones which to be honest, I was surprised at. My reason for saying that is that although the cathode heater insulation going poor was the reason for replacing the valves, the anode current and gm were fine. (the failed valve was so poor on insulation I did not fully test it)

The internal construction looks similar between old and new but the new ones appear to have thicker glass as they feel much heavier in the hand. Perhaps they have made other changes, who knows?

Regards, Phil.

[Greg.]

Good result Phil and good you are happy. Those valves you had from me were the originals and the 6550's were only about a year younger. I personally preferred the 6550's but I know my son who had the amp from me preferred the KT88, so by the time you got the amp, I expect they were very well used.

I hope your new valves in the KaT88 give you many hours of pleasure.

[A.N. Beal]

The original Gold Dragon KT88s in my WD88XL were still sounding good after 5 years, so they are a pretty good valve. I decided to try the new Genalex Gold Lion KT88s, which Stewart Gebbie at www.valvetubeguitaramps.com sells in 'supermatched' sets and recommends highly. They cost about the same as the Gold Dragons and look rather fine. First impressions were of a sound very close to the Gold Dragons and now they are bedded in I think the Gold Lions are a little better.

[Intenso]

Only just noticed this thread and was relieved to find you didn't buy the TADs Phil. I bought some a few years ago and whilst they sounded great to begin with after 6 months they became noisy.

I hear great things about the Gold Lions but glad your happy with the JJ's

[Phil Y]

Hello Tony,

Thanks for that info. I am still happily using the JJs for now but trying something different is always a temptation. I will view the TADs with caution.

Phil.

[Yellow]

Hi Phil Y,
How are the JJ's going?
I've read good and not-so-good reports on JJ valves, but I hope yours are going strong.

I have Electro-Harmonix KT88's running in my KaT6550 (at times). They sound great.


Best wishes,


Neil.