Kt 88 Recomendations

[John]

One of my KT88 valves have become faulty any recomendations
I presume if I replace one I should replace the other 3 at the same time

[Mike]

If you do replace all four, I'd recommend Svetlana!

What are you using now and how old are they?

[John]

I used Svetlana valves are about 2 years so think its about close to end of life
I liked the sound they created was just wondering going for some Golden lions would that be a better option

[Mike]

I tried Gold Lions too... rather good on some material, but overall I preferred the Svetlanas.

I lent the 'Lions' to Marco too, maybe he could add his thoughts?

I know he prefers NOS GEC KT88's, but they are pretty rare and rather pricey!

[John]

Yeah the NOS GEC KT88 are out of my league too
I did really like what the Svetlanas do Nice tight bass and good clean mid
Marco any thoughts

[Marco]

Hi John,

I've just got to this, soz!

Ok well, first of all, I wouldn't get the Golden Lions because I don't think that they're anywhere near as good as the Svets, even though they're touted as such (pure marketing spiel and little else, IMO). One option is the JJ Teslas, which are quite good and have a distinctive, quite addictive, sound.

The best (affordable) KT88s, in my experience though are the cryo'd 'Winged C' Svetlanas. Yes, I've tried both normal and cryo'd in the same amp and system, and the different is quite marked, with the cryo'd versions sounding more open, expansive and more tonally accurate (less coloured sounding in other words).

The only person I'd buy cryo'd valves from though is Anthony, purely because you know that they've actually been cryo'd (he gets them from his mate at Watford Valves, who gets them cryo treated by a specialist company). You just don't have that reassurance with buying them from elsewhere as there are too many rip-off merchants around in that respect.

Therefore, unless you can afford to go for a NOS quad of GECs KT88s (around £800), my advice would be to buy a matched quad of cryo'd Svets from Anthony (they will be properly matched and tested before they arrive) and use the three good ones you've got just now as spares for the future :)

http://www.tubedistinctions.co.uk/kt88.htm#top

Marco.

[Steve Toy]

Don't buy any GECs as there aren't any left and they are overrated ;)

Cryo'd Svets are a good solid new valve buy. I am rather liking these Teslas though but they will ultimately be replaced by GECs.

[John]

Thanks for that Marco
The Gyro seem quite tempting

[Marco]

You'll not regret it, John, and they'll last for ages :)

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

I got a set of the Cyro valves from Marco awhile ago, for my Music Reference RM 200 amplifier, and they are very good imho. Can't say I have tried many others, but they are as good and probably a wee bit better than the Ram Labs KT88s (part of the Music Reference company) that were in the amplifier before.


Regards D S D L