Which KT88 Brand to Buy? So many to choose from

ttan98 · « **on:** 2 Aug 2011, 12:07 am »

Hi,

I am looking to buy a pair of KT88 tube for my single ended amplifier I am building. A general search at Ebay reveals there are so many types and brands available, to name a few:

1. Shuguang basic/standard $60 a pair
2. Shuguang Treasures $130 a pair
3. Full music(different construction) $250 a pair
4. Gold Lion, Genalex, $95 a pair
5. Tesla, Blue type $95 a pair
6. Sovtex, $55 a pair
7. Original GEC gold lion too expensive
8. Original Tungsol, too expensive

Anyone has any info and experience in regard to the sound quality and sound reproduction of these tubes. I am after reliability i.e. able to operate at least 400V on the screen and anode. the older Chinese KT88 can handle at these voltage, they failed.

BTW is the Chinese EL156 any good? some say it has a lower grid to cathode for similar cathode current hence easier to drive, is the sound reproduction any good and how about reliability?

Thanks in advance.

Berto · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Aug 2011, 12:12 am »

I don't know about the 156. But your choice #2 the Black Treasures, price notwithstanding prob beat every other KT-88/6550 on that list and most by a large margin. I had GE NOS 6550s I really loved they crushed the JJs. But when I inserted those BT's it was a no brainer. And at $130 they are a price/performance bargain when compared to the best NOS.

PS> I had the Genalex resissue also and I liked the GE NOS ALOT more of course this was all before the BT's were invented.

richidoo · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Aug 2011, 12:53 am »

Berto is right. Treasures are the best power tube available now, in all the types they offer. I wouldn't buy an amp that couldn't use Treasure tubes. I don't know about reliability, but my 300Bs have been rock solid. I've never heard any reliability complaints about Treasures.

The Shuguang EL156 is a great tube also. I auditioned the Eastern Electric M156 amplifiers (sold in the US by Morningstar Audio) when they first came out a couple years ago. They have a powerful and intoxicating sound, but I don't know how much of that is the tube, or the circuit/trannies. The tubes themselves were substantial, seemed well built, but I don't know about reliability. Shuguang is generally reliable if you use within the normal window.

Pez · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Aug 2011, 01:07 am »

Another vote for treasures.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Aug 2011, 01:29 am »

Anyone tried the Psvanes yet?

2bigears · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Aug 2011, 10:17 pm »

hey you guys,those treasures are 250 a pair.where do you buy them for 130 buck a pair ?? thks Pat i need two pairs for a VAC Avitar super...... any help thanks mucho Pat

i was looking,its the 88-Z's for that price.they have better grids or something ????

ttan98 · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Aug 2011, 11:57 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears on 2 Aug 2011, 10:17 pm

hey you guys,those treasures are 250 a pair.where do you buy them for 130 buck a pair ?? thks Pat i need two pairs for a VAC Avitar super...... any help thanks mucho Pat i was looking,its the 88-Z's for that price.they have better grids or something ????

I believe there are 2 types I don't know the difference, the cheaper one you can find here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ShuGuang-50years-TREASURES-Tube-Matched-KT88Z-6550-2PC-/260786631422?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3cb81832fe#ht_1546wt_905

more expensive one here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-Matched-Quad-ShuGuang-50years-TREASURE-Tubes-KT88-Z-/220820366794?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369eb65ca#ht_2010wt_950

TONEPUB · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 12:15 am »

Hmmm, you might even want to buy a pair of KT120s...

I've had decent reliability with the Gold Lion (Genelex) and the Sovtek.
I've only used the Shuguang EL34/6CA7's but with excellent luck.

jriggy · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 12:51 am »

I tried an Ayon Triton before getting the Triton II... The Triton used the Gold Lion's, the Triton II uses the Black Treasures (although they are unmarked now, ie: no printed text or emblem on the glass). The difference was not small. Much more extension on both ends and much more detail.

Pez · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 01:44 pm »

Quote from: Ericus Rex on 2 Aug 2011, 01:29 am

Anyone tried the Psvanes yet?

Also curious if anyone has heard these. My Treasures are getting close to 2 years old here and I'm itching to upgrade!

2bigears · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 06:30 pm »

you can use a kt120 in place of an 88 ????

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 07:31 pm »

I'm breaking in a quad of these Canada-Fuller KT88's.
They are a beautiful looking tube and so far the sound is very pleasing but don't have enough hours on them yet to see if they are any different than the Treasure Series.

Ricky from Hanshare-Electronics is a pleasure to do business with and guarantees the tubes for a year which is a great thing

http://cgi.ebay.com/4ps-matched-Canada-Fuller-KT88GC-Gold-Pin-Vacuum-tube-/220805919598?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item33690ef36e#ht_1057wt_885

richidoo · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 08:19 pm »

That gold colored base is a nice touch!

HT cOz · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 09:23 pm »

Quote from: Bill O'Connell on 3 Aug 2011, 07:31 pm

I'm breaking in a quad of these Canada-Fuller KT88's.
They are a beautiful looking tube and so far the sound is very pleasing but don't have enough hours on them yet to see if they are any different than the Treasure Series.

Ricky from Hanshare-Electronics is a pleasure to do business with and guarantees the tubes for a year which is a great thing

http://cgi.ebay.com/4ps-matched-Canada-Fuller-KT88GC-Gold-Pin-Vacuum-tube-/220805919598?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item33690ef36e#ht_1057wt_885

Very interesting I wonder if those are different from the Psvanes?

doorman · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 09:36 pm »

Quote from: Pez on 3 Aug 2011, 01:44 pm

Also curious if anyone has heard these. My Treasures are getting close to 2 years old here and I'm itching to upgrade!

I've several times "upgraded" tubes, only to find I had spun my wheels.
Buyer beware!!
best,
don

Tubeburner · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Aug 2011, 09:39 pm »

The Treasures can be purchased here:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstube&1314800924&/Shuguang-Black-Treasure-KT88-q

He is an honest seller.

Pez · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Aug 2011, 01:02 am »

Quote from: doorman on 3 Aug 2011, 09:36 pm

I've several times "upgraded" tubes, only to find I had spun my wheels.
Buyer beware!!
best,
don

I own the Treasures and they are the real deal. I am simply curious what the difference is between the tried and true treasures and the new Psvanes.

I own a pair of 12AT7 Psvanes and they made a huge difference in my system so perhaps I should just trust my own experience.

doorman · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Aug 2011, 01:56 am »

Yes, I admit it's tempting!
-my amp only requires 2.
don

2bigears · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Aug 2011, 04:15 am »

thks TUBEBURNER.good deal....

ttan98 · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Aug 2011, 01:28 pm »

Hi,

Thanks for the inputs. From what I read here and elsewhere there are 2 brands worth considering buying:

1. The Shuguang KT88 Treasures, these are upgrade version of the std Shuguang, recommended by thoe who have used them.

2. The new released of the Genalex Gold Lion KT88, these tubes are used and recommended by J. Mcshane and also Music Reference(Roger M.)

I think one cannot go wrong by using either one. There are bound to be differences between them in terms of sound reproduction. Is it worth trying both, the decision is yours.