FS: 5x GEC KT88 valves, vintage, test as NOS!

[nickbaba]

I have decided to keep these after all. Doesn't look like much interest in them here. Quite surprised but there we go.

Cheers Nick

[Lawrence001]

I think it might be worth going into the details as to why you never got to try them in your amp even if it's a long story as it's a lot of money for someone to invest in a no return sale.

[Old boy]

hard to see from photo are these all triple getter tubes ?

[nickbaba]

Ah, OK... well, it had nothing to do with the valves, if that's what you mean, but if it helps I'll tell the story...

I used to own a lovely John Wood KT88 amp. It came fitted with Sovtek KT88s, and when I asked John about upgrading, he recommended vintage GEC KT88s as the 'best', so I started looking for/collecting them over the course of a year.

Unfortunately for me, I did not realize at that time that John's amps (or at least this particular one) are not self-biasing, and not only that but JW wouldn't let anyone else re-bias it apart from himself, even other qualified engineers. That meant I had to deliver the amp back to him in Nottingham if I ever wanted to change the valves. And since I'm in London, and also busy, I never got round to doing that. I have since recently sold that amp (on here) and am now left with these rare and expensive valves, and no use for them.

I appreciate its an pricey investment for anyone, as it was for me. Not only that but along the way of my search I probably got ripped off for £500+ worth of dodgy old valves on ebay while trying to find decent GEC KT88s. All those valves had to be binned, and these are the 5 I found that I would have used myself had I kept that John Wood amp.

So in that sense I stand by my claim that they are as good as they test. I only included the disclaimer at the end in the interest of complete honesty, as it's true I never got to test them in an amp. I've no reason to believe that there would be any problem with them however.

SO... since it is a big investment for someone, I'm willing to change the condition and say that if any/all of the valves prove to be unusable in practice, say within a standard 14 days return period, I will refund part/all of your money. Can't say fairer than that.

[nickbaba]

yes, apologies if pics not clear, all triple getter

[Old boy]

I think it might be worth going into the details as to why you never got to try them in your amp even if it's a long story as it's a lot of money for someone to invest in a no return sale.

If Jazid tested these on his Avo163 then that’s about the best guarantee one could expect on vintage tubes.

[nickbaba]

Yes, he did and it is.

But I know from my own experience there are unscrupulous vintage-valve sellers out there. I understand if people are wary. Hence my 14 day offer of return/refund.

[Old boy]

Yes, he did and it is.

But I know from my own experience there are unscrupulous vintage-valve sellers out there. I understand if people are wary. Hence my 14 day offer of return/refund.

That’s a great return/refund offer.
I would never buy high value tubes from eBay sellers,way to many chancers on there.
These triple getter kt88’s are the best of the best, used them in a pair of Mcintosh 275’s many moons ago sounded sublime

[mikeyb]

I'd be tempted but I need 8 for my power amp

[nickbaba]

OK - I don't feel comfortable offering these un-tested. I'm going to withdraw them from sale until I can test them out in an amp myself and make sure they are 100% working in use.

Thank you.