KT88 Recommendation for my Modena M90

[sled]

Had a KT88 fry last night...

any brand recommendations...

 

[jbird]

Some of the dealers have descent descriptions of the different "brands" of a certain tube type, many a recommendation is so subjective. I'm in the same boat as we speak!

 

[Roccaforte Amps]

Had a KT88 fry last night...

any brand recommendations...

I don't like any of the modern 6550 branded KT88's.
None of them test, or perform anywhere close to
the originals. They don'ty last very long.
If your amp isn't running KT88 voltages and can accept
6550's, hunt down some NOS GE 6550's.
They'll hold up and sound the best. DR

 

[sled]

Some of the dealers have descent descriptions of the different "brands" of a certain tube type, many a recommendation is so subjective. I'm in the same boat as we speak!

Thanks...

I bought a pair of Gold Lion and JJ KT88s from Doug's today.

I don't like any of the modern 6550 branded KT88's.
None of them test, or perform anywhere close to
the originals. They don'ty last very long.
If your amp isn't running KT88 voltages and can accept
6550's, hunt down some NOS GE 6550's.
They'll hold up and sound the best. DR

with the old KT88's the Plate Voltage measured 597VDC and 583VDC. Open circuit it measures 625VDC.

is this too high for a 6550?

 

[jbird]

I'm not too savvy on the subject, but I thought the KT88 & 6550 were interchangeable? Why then the plate voltage concern if they're of the same type?
Also, if you would'nt mind a review of the Gold Lions vs. the JJ's!:AOK

 

[sled]

I'm not too savvy on the subject, but I thought the KT88 & 6550 were interchangeable? Why then the plate voltage concern if they're of the same type?
Also, if you would'nt mind a review of the Gold Lions vs. the JJ's!:AOK

will do on the review.

 

[sled]

with the old KT88's the Plate Voltage measured 597VDC and 583VDC. Open circuit it measures 625VDC.

is this too high for a 6550?

I loaded a pair of 6550, set the bias and all is good.

 

[Steve Snider]

Had a KT88 fry last night...

any brand recommendations...

Genalex gold lion reissues!

 

[sled]

thanks... I've ordered a set... the 6550s are a stop gap

 

[whoismarykelly]

Aren't the Genelex GL reissues about $150 a pair?

 

[sled]

I think they were about $110

 

[Steve Snider]

I think they were about $110

From what I am told by several guys, these test like the old ones and have held up to extreme beatings by me. I love the way they sound when you crank the beast up and you gan bias these up around 50 ma+ no problem. Makes a difference.

 

[sled]

you're running yours at 50ma

 

[Steve Snider]

you're running yours at 50ma

I think mine are at 48ma. The safe range would be 45-55ma I believe. THe amp with the tubes I have in it is an absolute joy to play and at this point I would not change a thing.

 

[whoismarykelly]

What comes stock in the 90? Are the Genelex a big difference? What do they change.

 

[Steve Snider]

I believe chinese. Not bad by any means. The Genelex just sound a bit smoother and hold together better. The tone is improved .

 

[whoismarykelly]

Interesting. Ill have to see how brash and angry it sounds on monday and go from there.

 

[sled]

it'll be interesting to hear the difference between the Svetlana 6550 that's installed now and the Genelex KT88

 

[jockman]

My amp, Carlsbro 50Top combo, is at the tech getting properly set up for KT88's, it was an EL34 amp.
So far I have tried Chinese 6550's, they were nice, quite a warm sound and they had that lovely 'glass' sound, I then read that the new EH-KT88 was getting great reviews, so I have a pair, my opinion is that they are very much more treble, even sterile sounding, BUT, that was before proper set-up, I then read that the NEW Svetlanas were good, so, gullible me, bought a pair, and yes, they are a lot warmer than the EH and smoother than the 6550's, again, the amp was still not set-up. I would really like to believe the 'hype' about the new Genalex, but, it's becoming expensive, and the Genalex are at the top of the new KT88 price range. JJ's also get a good review, but as usual, it's all down to your ears...

Jon