Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Read 1057 times.

kd4ylq

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 174
  • Esse Quam Videri
Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« on: 17 Apr 2023, 01:47 pm »
Dear friends,
                  I have a pair of NOS English Genalex Gold Lion KT88s that I'd like to use to their full advantage to drive my DIY Lii Song F15 speakers. I can build (from a kit) if necessary, but prefer something off the shelf and ready to use. Based on your experiences what would you recommend? BTW, I can trade my Marantz MA5's (230V version) if someone has a need for all that power and their single-ended KT88 amp isn't cutting it. I know from the MA5 LED bargraphs that I normally use a scant 100-400mw and when playing really loud, maybe a watt or two, so a single ended amp should be more than sufficient (and preferred) though not necessarily quasi-triode. Thoughts (or questions)?

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #1 on: 17 Apr 2023, 06:45 pm »
Years ago ASL had an KT88 SE.

Tyson

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 11087
  • Audio - It's all a big fake.
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #2 on: 17 Apr 2023, 07:44 pm »
I have the Dennis Had ‘Inspire’ amps that will run just about any pentode in SEP mode and it sounds very good.  If you can find one it would be a great amp for your tubes.

kd4ylq

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 174
  • Esse Quam Videri
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #3 on: 17 Apr 2023, 08:29 pm »
Thank you gentlemen, now I can start looking!  :thumb:

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #4 on: 17 Apr 2023, 10:49 pm »
+1 on the multi-tube amp Inspire Fire Bottle.
All Dennis amps are called Inspire, you could order a custom made Fire Bottle with larger Alu chassis and bigger transformers if funds allow.

Tyson

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 11087
  • Audio - It's all a big fake.
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #5 on: 18 Apr 2023, 03:52 am »
+1 on the multi-tube amp Inspire Fire Bottle.
All Dennis amps are called Inspire, you could order a custom made Fire Bottle with larger Alu chassis and bigger transformers if funds allow.

Or do what I did and get them as monoblocks.

kd4ylq

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 174
  • Esse Quam Videri
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #6 on: 18 Apr 2023, 02:34 pm »
Tyson,
         I met Dennis & chatted with him >20 years ago, but I can't seem to find any links to him or his post Cary Audio work. Do you have and email or phone number?  Thanks a bunch!

                 kd4ylq   (Jim)

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #7 on: 18 Apr 2023, 03:01 pm »
Dennis sold Cary and retire,  you have to email him at Ebay - radioman731.

This is Dennis profile:
https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=radioman731
« Last Edit: 18 Apr 2023, 09:42 pm by FullRangeMan »

Kw6

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 471
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #8 on: 19 Apr 2023, 05:35 pm »
How about the Unison Research Preludio! Price is reasonable.

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 19849
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #9 on: 19 Apr 2023, 05:43 pm »
What are the specs?

aec

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 8
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #10 on: 9 Jun 2023, 03:47 pm »
excuse man , do you use lii audio or lii song ? they both look similar but different sound!

kd4ylq

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 174
  • Esse Quam Videri
Re: Single ended KT88 stereo amplifier
« Reply #11 on: 26 Jun 2023, 07:02 pm »
My 15" FR drivers have both Lii Audio and Lii Song printed on their magnet nameplates, so I'd say they obviously are the same. What that means with respect to sounding different seems to me to be more of a labelling or semantic issue. However, if you have some "inside" information please explain your assertion (and sources) in detail. Thanks!