my new amp J.Wood KT88 :)

[karma67]

I been thinking of late about upgrading from my Sony 700es amp,im happy with the TT set up and cd player so temptation was beginning to creep in.
Croft amps kept springing to mind and ebay searches but as ive never heard anything valve before i was a little concerned that they might not drive my Yamaha ns1000's well.

Time went buy and i begun to question if i really needed to bother,the sony is a very good amp and i felt it wasn't lacking anywhere in particular.

Then on Saturday i noticed in the private exhibitions thread a John Wood KT88 amp for sale.
Hmmm i thought the seller is not far away and i could hear how it sounds:eyebrows:
I made contact and arranged to view the amp on Sunday.

Well i have to say i had a lovely time hearing the amp,thanks again Nick,i also heard how it compared to a McIntosh MA7000 beast of an amp and there really was not much in it.
It was one of those,oh what the hell moments where you worry about the cost and can i afford it? later lol.
When it became time to lift it to the car i was shocked to feel how bloody heavy this amp is! Its bloody heavy,so much so 2 of us carried it to my car :eek:

So after driving very carefully back to Brighton with it i kissed my 2 lower vertebra good bye and lifted it up 2 flights of stairs.

With it all rather quickly plumbed in i sat back and heard it through my speakers for the first time,within seconds i knew id done the right thing in buying it,it sounds absolutely, stunning,more bass,more grip on the bass,better top end in fact just better everywhere,i really dont know how to describe it better than by saying a veil has been lifted away from the speakers,i know i know its an old saying but its true in this case!

I think the warm natured sound of valves compliments the metal mid and tweeters of the yammys very well.At the moment i just cant stop listening to it.film soundtracks like dances with wolves or gladiator sound spectacular,you just get immersed in the whole musical experience.

So to recap,am i happy? Hell yes i am!!

https://s26.postimg.cc/av0mtw0rt/IMG_2086.jpg

https://s26.postimg.cc/m7d8bowm1/IMG_2087.jpg

https://s26.postimg.cc/j0ios2jvt/IMG_2088.jpg

https://s26.postimg.cc/nz676lveh/IMG_2089.jpg

[anthonyTD]

Congrats on your purchase Jamie,
Although [and I am sure you will agree ;)] there is a notable absence of bling on these amps, there's a lot of good stuff under the hood, where it matters.
Good luck with it. :)
A...
I been thinking of late about upgrading from my Sony 700es amp,im happy with the TT set up and cd player so temptation was beginning to creep in.
Croft amps kept springing to mind and ebay searches but as ive never heard anything valve before i was a little concerned that they might not drive my Yamaha ns1000's well.

Time went buy and i begun to question if i really needed to bother,the sony is a very good amp and i felt it wasn't lacking anywhere in particular.

Then on Saturday i noticed in the private exhibitions thread a John Wood KT88 amp for sale.
Hmmm i thought the seller is not far away and i could hear how it sounds:eyebrows:
I made contact and arranged to view the amp on Sunday.

Well i have to say i had a lovely time hearing the amp,thanks again Nick,i also heard how it compared to a McIntosh MA7000 beast of an amp and there really was not much in it.
It was one of those,oh what the hell moments where you worry about the cost and can i afford it? later lol.
When it became time to lift it to the car i was shocked to feel how bloody heavy this amp is! Its bloody heavy,so much so 2 of us carried it to my car :eek:

So after driving very carefully back to Brighton with it i kissed my 2 lower vertebra good bye and lifted it up 2 flights of stairs.

With it all rather quickly plumbed in i sat back and heard it through my speakers for the first time,within seconds i knew id done the right thing in buying it,it sounds absolutely, stunning,more bass,more grip on the bass,better top end in fact just better everywhere,i really dont know how to describe it better than by saying a veil has been lifted away from the speakers,i know i know its an old saying but its true in this case!

I think the warm natured sound of valves compliments the metal mid and tweeters of the yammys very well.At the moment i just cant stop listening to it.film soundtracks like dances with wolves or gladiator sound spectacular,you just get immersed in the whole musical experience.

So to recap,am i happy? Hell yes i am!!

https://s26.postimg.org/av0mtw0rt/IMG_2086.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/m7d8bowm1/IMG_2087.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/j0ios2jvt/IMG_2088.jpg

https://s26.postimg.org/nz676lveh/IMG_2089.jpg

[Ali Tait]

Looks like the money has been spent where it matters, which is all that counts at the end of the day. Glad you are happy with it Jamie. I have a couple of early WAD amps that look similar but sound very well.

It’s the quality of the parts and particularly the iron that make the difference!

[Bigman80]

Really pleased to hear you loving the valves. There's just something right about what they do, even in cheaper Amps. The fluidity of the valve amp I loaned is what made me move to the FB-Monos. Whilst not fully valve (Hybrid), they offer a lot of what i like.

Well done mate.

[Macca]

You're in better shape than me if you could lug that beggar up two flights of stairs.

Thought you would eventually get round to swapping something else in for that Sony. ;)

[jandl100]

Yay - brilliant result, :thumbsup:
Well done, Jamie - who needs 2 lower vertebrae, anyway? :lol:

[Sherwood]

Jamie,

congratulations on your new purchase and for the muckiest mains plug of the year award! :clapclapclap: :)

I also like how you have tapped the valves into the central heating system.

Geoff

[karma67]

Jamie,

congratulations on your new purchase and for the muckiest mains plug of the year award! :clapclapclap: :)

I also like how you have tapped the valves into the central heating system.

Geoff

ha ha that is for the side lamp,trust me all the plugs that matter are spotless inside,i spent a few hrs i wont get back cleaning them as well as the ancient olson mains block.:D

[Macca]

ha ha that is for the side lamp,trust me all the plugs that matter are spotless inside,i spent a few hrs i wont get back cleaning them as well as the ancient olson mains block.:D

You have a lamp plugged into the same distribution board as the hi-fi? Man, even I wouldn't do that. ;) That plug really is minging. Good spot that man.

[Sherwood]

You have a lamp plugged into the same distribution board as the hi-fi? Man, even I wouldn't do that. ;) That plug really is minging. Good spot that man.

So the money spent on my big 4k monitor was worthwhile after all! :stalks:

[Jimbo]

Welcome to the world of tube amps Jamie. Looks a very solid power amp and expect it sounds rather good.

What preamp are you using with it?

[karma67]

its an integrated amp jimbo though still using the nakamichi ca-5 for the phono stage.

[Jimbo]

its an integrated amp jimbo though still using the nakamichi ca-5 for the phono stage.

Ah I see, I thought it was just a power amp.:doh: Your system is looking very good indeed . I can imagine there is a greater tactile liquid richness to the sound now with that amp in the system and with your superb analogue front end you must be hearing some great music. Valves and vinyl really do seem to have some synergy and can project a really special musical experience. It's not just warmth but a reality to the sound that I found often lacking in SS gear and certainly lacking in digital set ups.

[nickbaba]

Happy to hear you are enjoying it Jamie - it found a good home!

cheers, Nick (the previous owner)

[Marco]

Nice one, Jamie. Good choice. The recent decisions you've been making on hi-fi are top notch and I'm sure have greatly enhanced your listening pleasure, so keep it up!;)

Enjoy :cool:

Marco.

[RobbieGong]

Result there Jamie ! well pleased for you and well done for being prepared to take a punt cause sometimes you just have to - (he who dares and all that) :thumbsup:

[philv]

Congrats.
Really nce amp.

I think these look really good.
Anti-bling.

[Audio Al]

Welcome to the club :eyebrows:

[jollyfix]

Unfortunately i never heard a J.Wood amp , but felt the affect of one. After picking up Al's amp from Anthony, i stayed at a friends house. Carrying that amp up a steep 100ft long front garden with a few sets of steps along the way, left me feeling crushed, and i'm 6ft+, and strong....
A great amp by all accounts. Well done Jamie.. you bought a keeper i think.

[walpurgis]

Has anybody said what it weighs? It doesn't look unduly heavy to me.

[struth]

Has anybody said what it weighs? It doesn't look unduly heavy to me.

40kg

[walpurgis]

40kg

Fairly heavy for an amp I guess, but nothing a reasonably fit bloke couldn't cart about.

[struth]

90 lbs dead weight is a lot as it's not an easy grip or load. Can do yourself a lot of harm

[Audio Al]

Hold on , I will ask my back ,,,,,,,.........

It said " its F---ing heavy " and please dont move it to often ;)

[nickbaba]

Amp = sorted. Now it's time time start thinking about some vintage Tannoys heh heh! ;)

[jollyfix]

Fairly heavy for an amp I guess, but nothing a reasonably fit bloke couldn't cart about.
I'm more than reasonably fit Geoff, but carrying that amp up a very steep incline for 100ft including old stone high steps etc, was hard. Especially when all the weight at one end of the amp and it had been raining... maybe next bake of we can hold the AOS games. Heavy Amp carrying over obstacle course, blind fold turntable set up etc.

[RobbieGong]

40kg's is a heavy amp and a lot to lift and carry any distance no matter how fit you are .

My Sansui is 22.5 kg's and feels heavy.

I'm pretty fit but would not want to contemplate lifting and moving around almost twice that weight :eek:

[Ali Tait]

I'm more than reasonably fit Geoff, but carrying that amp up a very steep incline for 100ft including old stone high steps etc, was hard. Especially when all the weight at one end of the amp and it had been raining... maybe next bake of we can hold the AOS games. Heavy Amp carrying over obstacle course, blind fold turntable set up etc.

The Mr Liang 845 I used to have was 50kg, took that to a couple of Owstons and back to the flat I had at the time up two flights of stairs. Bloody heavy..

[Marco]

90 lbs dead weight is a lot as it's not an easy grip or load.

Nah, you'll be used to it when unzipping the 'old fella'!:eyebrows:

As they say: 'Get yur shoodur under this, darlin'...':D

Marco.

[anthonyTD]

I think the main issue when carry valve amps, is; how to work out the best way to distribute the load, many valve amps [including this one] have all of the heavy metal at one end, hence a very awkward load to pick up if your not used to doing so, I find it best to keep the weight nearest your chest, that way" you can always rest it against yourself if your having to carry one long distance, or as some have said, up a flight or two of steps! :)

[struth]

I think the main issue when carry valve amps, is; how to work out the best way to distribute the load, many valve amps [including this one] have all of the heavy metal at one end, hence a very awkward load to pick up if your not used to doing so, I find it best to keep the weight nearest your chest, that way" you can always rest it against yourself if your having to carry one long distance, or as some have said, up a flight or two of steps! :)

i find the best way is to get some other bugger to lift it;)

[RobbieGong]

i find the best way is to get some other bugger to lift it;)

:lol:

[walpurgis]

Hmm. Bunch of wimps! :lol:

I think nothing of carting two 35kg bags of ballast out of Wickes builder's merchants. One on each shoulder.

Used to walk up the road with 50kg bags on each shoulder when I was paving for a living. They don't supply 50kg bags these days. Health & Safety an' all that! :rolleyes:

[struth]

Hmm. Bunch of wimps! :lol:

I think nothing of carting two 35kg bags of ballast out of Wickes builder's merchants. One on each shoulder.

Used to walk up the road with 50kg bags on each shoulder when I was paving for a living. They don't supply 50kg bags these days. Health & Safety an' all that! :rolleyes:

thank god they dont now.. yup ive had a 100weight bag of shot on my shoulders.. could walk with it but needed it put there. no way was i lifting it there... i tore a chest muscle so bad it cracked the rib doing a lift of that stuff.:D was nothing to laugh about as it hurt like hell and never healed properly

[Marco]

Hmm. Bunch of wimps! :lol:

I think nothing of carting two 35kg bags of ballast out of Wickes builder's merchants. One on each shoulder.


Lol.... It's a lot easier when the weight is balanced evenly though, and when you can 'drape' what you're carrying over your shoulder. Try doing that with a valve amp!;)

It's not necessarily the weight, more the awkwardness of the lift, as the (unbalanced) weight is all at one end, where the transformers are.... Just like it is with your wallet, shweety, tucked inside your back pocket. Makes you walk lopsided!:eyebrows:

Marco.

[walpurgis]

thank god they dont now.. yup ive had a 100weight bag of shot on my shoulders.. could walk with it but needed it put there. no way was i lifting it there... i tore a chest muscle so bad it cracked the rib doing a lift of that stuff.:D was nothing to laugh about as it hurt like hell and never healed properly

A bet where I worked was carrying three 1cwt (112 pound) bags of cement about. One on each shoulder and a third draped over the head with each end resting on the other two. That's 336lb. Not many managed it.

[Ian7633]

You were lucky!!!, we used to dream of carrying big bags of stuff when I were a lad. We had to carry half ton bags of asbestos with our teeth while dragging sacks of broken biscuits tied to our testicles with barbed wire and a fifty gallon drum of liquid anuses balanced on our heads. You tell the youngsters of today and they won't believe you!!!

[struth]

You were lucky!!!, we used to dream of carrying big bags of stuff when I were a lad. We had to carry half ton bags of asbestos with our teeth while dragging sacks of broken biscuits tied to our testicles with barbed wire and a fifty gallon drum of liquid anuses balanced on our heads. You tell the youngsters of today and they won't believe you!!!

you were lucky... having testicles that is...ours were removed for the bosses to eat ;)

[walpurgis]

Sounds like bollocks to me. :D

[Marco]

Hey, when you've been blessed with a bulbous pair of bollocks, like Buster Bellabooshka, swinging daily under your bell-end, that's all the weight training you need!:D

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

Hmm. Bunch of wimps! :lol:

I think nothing of carting two 35kg bags of ballast out of Wickes builder's merchants. One on each shoulder.

Used to walk up the road with 50kg bags on each shoulder when I was paving for a living. They don't supply 50kg bags these days. Health & Safety an' all that! :rolleyes:

Different kettle of fish. Carrying heavy loads on your shoulders is much easier than holding 50kg at waist height, particularly when it sticks out about a foot and a half ( have you seen the size of a Liang amp?) :-)

[karma67]

yep and in my case i have 2 f**ked vertebra L3 and L4 im fine lifting heavy stuff on the day,i suffer the next day though.

[Marco]

Different kettle of fish. Carrying heavy loads on your shoulders is much easier than holding 50kg at waist height, particularly when it sticks out about a foot and a half ( have you seen the size of a Liang amp?) :-)

Yeah, it's another reason why 'Sorry State' amp owners are girth-challenged weeny-boys!! :ner::D

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

LOL, well I don’t have a shortage of girth, do have the shoulders to match though. :-)

[karma67]

Happy to hear you are enjoying it Jamie - it found a good home!

cheers, Nick (the previous owner)

thanks nick its a keeper :)


Nice one, Jamie. Good choice. The recent decisions you've been making on hi-fi are top notch and I'm sure have greatly enhanced your listening pleasure, so keep it up!;)

Enjoy :cool:

Marco.

ah well i just followed good advice :cool:


Result there Jamie ! well pleased for you and well done for being prepared to take a punt cause sometimes you just have to - (he who dares and all that) :thumbsup:
i thought about it and then said 'what the f**k :)


Congrats.
Really nce amp.

I think these look really good.
Anti-bling.
it would look nice with a copper plinth though :eek:


Welcome to the club :eyebrows:


Unfortunately i never heard a J.Wood amp , but felt the affect of one. After picking up Al's amp from Anthony, i stayed at a friends house. Carrying that amp up a steep 100ft long front garden with a few sets of steps along the way, left me feeling crushed, and i'm 6ft+, and strong....
A great amp by all accounts. Well done Jamie.. you bought a keeper i think.

cheers mate.

[Sherwood]

The specs didn't list Kg per £! :scratch:

[speedracer]

Having heard Al's John Wood amp you have got a really fine amplifier there, battleship build quality & good looking in a functional way, I am sure it is a keeper. Nice one.

[Mr.Ian]

mono blocks make carrying easier, and the output transformers are bigger !!:lol: welcome to the club, enjoy

[Sherwood]

Hmm. Bunch of wimps! :lol:

I think nothing of carting two 35kg bags of ballast out of Wickes builder's merchants. One on each shoulder.

Used to walk up the road with 50kg bags on each shoulder when I was paving for a living. They don't supply 50kg bags these days. Health & Safety an' all that! :rolleyes:

You're talking a load of ballast! :lol:

[karma67]

back from john woods with a clean bill of health for my amp,he adjusted the bias and also showed me how to do it in future.top guy!

[Bigman80]

back from john woods with a clean bill of health for my amp,he adjusted the bias and also showed me how to do it in future.top guy!He sounds like a top guy!

[Audio Al]

He sounds like a top guy!

I recall my visit to John for new valves and bias setting , John spoke to me as if I was a valve amp designer and builder . All I could do was go " Oh , Yes , Right , OK and nod " at the appropriat times ,

John does know his stuff :)

[Bigman80]

I recall my visit to John for new valves and bias setting , John spoke to me as if I was a valve amp designer and builder . All I could do was go " Oh , Yes , Right , OK and nod " at the appropriat times ,

John does know his stuff :)I know the feeling [emoji38]

[karma67]

he is oli,most of what he explained to me about whats in my amp went over my head but i do remember he hand winds the transformers,of which he said they are only being used to about 40% of there capability's .:cool:

[karma67]

I recall my visit to John for new valves and bias setting , John spoke to me as if I was a valve amp designer and builder . All I could do was go " Oh , Yes , Right , OK and nod " at the appropriat times ,

John does know his stuff :)

that's exactly how it went with me al. :D hes very passionate about his work.

[karma67]

I needed to clean a selector switch today so took a few snaps with the bottom cover off.

https://i.postimg.cc/CKgHvbWF/IMG-3028.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/WpHGBBQY/IMG-3020.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/XJD505DB/IMG-3019.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/WzFkp4QW/IMG-3021.jpg

4 of these,
https://i.postimg.cc/zvVnL7Rk/IMG-3017.jpg

upgrade or good enough?
https://i.postimg.cc/DzPRvrsZ/IMG-3023.jpg

[struth]

Kemet get a good name

[Bigman80]

Kemet are fine!

That Alps blue needs upgrading. How much room do you have in the case?

[karma67]

cheers grant,according to the JW ,the amp is massively over spec with very good parts used,he told me the transformers run at about 40%.
the best amp ive ever owned.

[karma67]

Kemet are fine!

That Alps blue needs upgrading. How much room do you have in the case?

i reckon i could squeeze something nice in there,the alps blue is a 100k,ive been looking at goldpoint mini-v.

[Bigman80]

i reckon i could squeeze something nice in there,the alps blue is a 100k,ive been looking at goldpoint mini-v.Ah, yes. Now we're talking!

Just make sure you have enough steps. I needed 48 which led me to the Khozmo but there are plenty of options. I'm sure Goldpoint do a 48 version

[karma67]

cheers,they do a 24 and a 47. :cool:
i presume its better to have too many steps than not enough?

[mikeyb]

cheers,they do a 24 and a 47. :cool:
i presume its better to have too many steps than not enough?More is better, you'll have better control over volume not only for quiet listening but smaller jumps when you increase it. This was the main reason I didn't buy Ali's Slagle as it only had 13 and was no good for quiet listening even at 1 on my system.

[Bigman80]

More is better, you'll have better control over volume not only for quiet listening but smaller jumps when you increase it. This was the main reason I didn't buy Ali's Slagle as it only had 13 and was no good for quiet listening even at 1 on my system.Yep. Fantastic Preamp that. I bought it in the end but the volume Steve's were too large as Mike says.
.

[karma67]

2 more question chaps,i assume regarding 10k 50k or 100k i just use what the alps blue is,ie its 100k so i choose 100k when ordering the stepped attenuator yes?
regarding the khozmo,what type is used, you have shunt,ladder and series?

[Bigman80]

2 more question chaps,i assume regarding 10k 50k or 100k i just use what the alps blue is,ie its 100k so i choose 100k when ordering the stepped attenuator yes?
regarding the khozmo,what type is used, you have shunt,ladder and series?I used a 50k series. I was told be Alan and Rothwell that this is what they would fit. And have.

As for the Value, it's worth a second opinion as you are using valves. Hopefully a valve Guru will respond

[karma67]

whilst i wait i emailed goldpoint who said for valve most people use 50k or 100k,as i have 100k in there i should stick with that,so like for like.:cool:

[Bigman80]

whilst i wait i emailed goldpoint who said for valve most people use 50k or 100k,as i have 100k in there i should stick with that,so like for like.:cool:Can't see that being bad advice. I use 50k and that's with valves or SS so yeah, go for it.

[karma67]

Goldpoint 24v 100k on the way :)

[Bigman80]

Goldpoint 24v 100k on the way :)Top stuff mate.

I fully expect a glowing report.

[mikeyb]

I fully expect a glowing report.I see what you did there [emoji6]

[Bigman80]

I see what you did there [emoji6]Ha! Finally!!!

[karma67]

I reckon it will be electrifying! :eek:

[mikeyb]

I reckon it will be electrifying! :eek:That's shocking ! [emoji23]

[karma67]

the Goldpoint has entered customs...charges to follow no doubt :(
Whilst waiting ive been doing a bit of tube rolling,i started with the cheaper (supposedly) pre amp valves.ecc81, i bought some un branded english jobbies at the audio jumper which sound much better than the jj teslas,that could be down to their age though.
Next after some reading on the web i tried some Telefunken NOS,a big difference! more clarity with a lovely mid range,however i did notice a drop in soundstage height but i can live with that.the Denon 103sa of valves you could say.
Anyone tried the Telefunken E81CC

I also treated the amp to some NOS Russian 6h8c driver valves (is that what they are called?)
Once the stepped attenuator is fitted i will turn my attention the the KT88 power valves,namely the daddy of them all,the GEC KT88 :cool:

[Bigman80]

the goldpoint has entered customs...charges to follow no doubt :(

You never know mate.

[karma67]

You never know mate.

oh i do,lol paints are already pulled down waiting!
im excited to hear one though in the amp. i hope its positive.

[Bigman80]

oh i do,lol paints are already pulled down waiting!
im excited to hear one though in the amp. i hope its positive.

Ah thats a shame. Always nice when something slip through customs without charges.

I am sure it'll make a difference.

[karma67]

as expected i was charged £41 by customs/parcelforce :(
after work i wired it in,
first what the goldpoint has replaced,a standard run of the mill alps blue potentiometer.

https://i.postimg.cc/kM62xLz3/IMG-3064.jpg

and here's the goldpoint v24. quality made.

https://i.postimg.cc/85rT6g5Z/IMG-3061.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/qqV4cD64/IMG-3063.jpg

all wired in and fitted,very easy even for me!

https://i.postimg.cc/4y6ZWvpt/IMG-3065.jpg

how does it sound? well no earth shattering difference,the sound seems clearer to me,do these settle in?
the feel of adjusting the volume though is very nice,a feeling of precision,24 steps is plenty too.
total cost was $200 and £41 customs charge.

[Mr.Ian]

how does it sound? well no earth shattering difference,the sound seems clearer to me,do these settle in?
the feel of adjusting the volume though is very nice,a feeling of precision,24 steps is plenty too.
total cost was $200 and £41 customs charge.

Not at all what I was expecting, having used both the JW pre and passives, pros and cons to both approaches, I expected the better volume pot to give the best of both worlds, allow you to hear nuances that had been hidden before yet maintain the drive, rythm and dynamics that comes with the valves.

[karma67]

hmm perhaps a bit too hopeful?
dont get me wrong it has improved it and its also opened up more with use,i very happy with the purchase and wouldn't go back.

[Bigman80]

hmm perhaps a bit too hopeful?
dont get me wrong it has improved it and its also opened up more with use,i very happy with the purchase and wouldn't go back.

I never judge anything these days until i am sure it's got at least 100 hours on it mate. If it hasn't, stay patient. The one Goldpoint SA i heard was Incredibly open and transparent.

[karma67]

What a couple of days of ups and down,talk about coincidence.
So heres the story,since seeing some NOS GEC KT88's at the audiojumble i told the seller if he still had them in a few months time id buy a set,as pay day was near i phoned him a few weeks ago to see if he still had them,he did but was going on holiday for 3 weeks.

Ok i thought that gives me more time to save up,so wednesday evening i phoned him and arranged to come up today.All good so far,well it was up until last night when one of my sovetek kt88's decided to go bang,i lept out the sofa and flicked the off switch,just before i got there the sound went off :(bugger!

As luck would have it the guy selling the GEC's was John Cresswell,an audio engineer based near woking,so with the thought of new valves taking a back seat i set of today to see what damage had been done.

John gave the amp a good check over,it had one blown resistor and one fuse gone,after fitting new ones the amp was checked out of the oscilloscope,sadly all that was above my head but he confirmed all was healthy and it was putting out a clean 112 watts.

So with that in mind i decided to try the supposedly top of the tree,nothing comes close GEC KT88's. Im listening to them now and yes they are better than the sovteks that were in there,i'll give them a few weeks of use to burn in (if that applies) to fully decide if the huge price difference is worth it :rolleyes:

https://i.postimg.cc/5ymVR6LS/IMG-3115.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/d3JMrwpk/IMG-3116.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/022RN57h/IMG-3117.jpg

[Bigman80]

Well they certainly look the business mate.

Lovely stuff!

[karma67]

cheers matey,they are opening up a tad,the mid range is very good and much better than the old valves,im just glad the bloody amp works at the moment. :lol:

[Bigman80]

cheers matey,they are opening up a tad,the mid range is very good and much better than the old valves,im just glad the bloody amp works at the moment. [emoji38]I'll bet. Its panic stations when something goes wrong.

I couldn't get the Krell's protection circuit to turn off yesterday. I was bricking it. Turned out I hadn't quite joined the leg to the board well enough in the DCB1. I repaired and it was back up and running but before I realised what had happened I was thinking ££££££££££ repair lol

[Audio Al]

NO they look pish mate and sound POO as well ,
when you want to recoup some ( Not a lot ) of your investment
Let me know and I may just help you out :eyebrows:

I am kind like that ;)

:D

[Wakefield Turntables]

Jamie,

Looks like me and you are going down the same route! I've a couple of GEC kt88 and buy them when cheap enough. Only two more to go, currently using the Golden Lions Genalex

[karma67]

NO they look pish mate and sound POO as well ,
when you want to recoup some ( Not a lot ) of your investment
Let me know and I may just help you out :eyebrows:

I am kind like that ;)

:D

well if your near me anytime your welcome for a listen :)


Jamie,

Looks like me and you are going down the same route! I've a couple of GEC kt88 and buy them when cheap enough. Only two more to go, currently using the Golden Lions Genalex


sweet as,my only trouble is ive only heard the original sovteks to compare them too,the sensible thing would have been to buy the gold lion reissues but hey ho its done now.
what signal tubes do you use?

[Wakefield Turntables]

What signal tubes do you use?


I don't understand mate! Sorry!!! Do you mean what other valves are in the power amp? I don't know of the top of my head but I could always have a look if your interested.

[YNWaN]

I’m actually a big fan of the kind of PP KT88 amps that John builds and he does seem to build them in the best possible way - very rare! I really fancy a pair of his monoblocks.

[karma67]

I don't understand mate! Sorry!!! Do you mean what other valves are in the power amp? I don't know of the top of my head but I could always have a look if your interested.

sorry ,yes i meant in your amp

[karma67]

I’m actually a big fan of the kind of PP KT88 amps that John builds and he does seem to build them in the best possible way - very rare! I really fancy a pair of his monoblocks.

yep hes a very knowledgeable guy,sadly it all sailed over my head when i was there,his passion is also undeniable.
if the paradise phono stage didn't happen i would have had one built by him.

[karma67]

some 6f8g vt-99 tung sol round plates added and sounding a lot better than the russian 6ns7's :) thanks drew :cool:

https://i.postimg.cc/XY084MCz/IMG-3754.jpg

[da2222]

some 6f8g vt-99 tung sol round plates added and sounding a lot better than the russian 6ns7's :) thanks drew :cool:

https://i.postimg.cc/XY084MCz/IMG-3754.jpg

Looking grand... The 6f8gs are the business, await full burn in...