Talking with john wood yesterday and he is working on a new power amp that uses 5 x el34. Expects it to be faster and more dynamic than his k88 amps. Johns answer to the silly prices of nos kt88 ! Nos el34 are still affordable. The 5th valve acts as a regulator. Price depends on final spec but should be we'll under £1500. Sounds good to me.
I know John got some bad press on here a few years back but I have always found his amps and after sales service to be exemplary