[ErikMi]

I'm looking to replace the KT88's in my Ayon Spirit III  It's got the factory Shugaung Black Treasure KT88 in there currently. I'm trying to decide between replacing with the same or getting the Fuller Canada KT88.. anyone have any thoughts, or experience?

Oh the other choice would be the Ayon BT SX KT88 ..but they are EXPENSIVE

[paul79]

I am running the Canada Fuller KT88's in my amps currently. They are fantastic sounding tubes, but pricey. However, my favorite sounding KT88 is the Penta Labs KT88 at Doug's Tubes. They are so transparent in the midrange, and really show the inner detail of the soundscape. I've tried them all, and nothing beats these in my amps.

The Fuller's are a little smoother up top, but not much, and they do not have that crystal clear transparency of the Penta's.

Once my quad of Fuller's burns out, I'm going back to the Penta's.

[Ericus Rex]

Been discussed:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=117310.msg1230733#msg1230733


You can also do a "KT88" topics search in the Tube-o-phile circle to read more threads.

[ErikMi]

Thanks.. I did do some searching, just thought there might be some newer opinions 

[Ericus Rex]

A lot of us seem to have moved on to the KT120 which is very reasonably priced and sounds pretty darn good.  Can your amp run this tube?

[thorman]

I have the Spirit 3 myself and love it > I am using the Ayon BT tubes and find them great. I recently had a talk with Paul at USA Tube Audio about using the KT 120's in the Spirit 3 and he told me the Ayon KT88 was a much better fit for the Spirit 3. He told me the KT120's sounded ok but did not have the open Soundstage that the Ayon KT88 has. From what I have read, you are more likely to gain increase in performance with changing the Spirit 3 Driver tubes...Many have gone to the RCA Black plates and possibly the Phillips          ( amperex ) Holland 12au7.....I tried an early Phillips ( Holland ) 12au7 and found I lost some transparency, so I went back to the stock NOS Tungsram 12au7.........

[ErikMi]

@thorman.. Yes I've spoken with Paul, he's a good guy.. And yup the Ayon BT tubes are probably the number one choice.. except they are way expensive.. more than double what I can get Shuggie BT's for, or the Fuller's. That doesn't mean I won't consider buying the Ayon's it's just hard to get my head ( and wallet) around the cost, vs the others.  I'm currently using NOS RCA Black Plates that I got from Andy Bowman at Vintage Tube Services.. Although I'm considering a switch to Mullards..