Treasure KT88s in the house

thsmith
thsmith Posts: 6,082
edited March 2011 in Electronics
These tubes are everything I have read about and heard from people using Treasures.

My 6sn7 varient treasures have about 150 hours in the preamp.

KT88s arrived today. Let them warm up for about an hour. Biasing steady so played some music.

For the first hour they were edgy and it seemed like everything was crammed in the center of the sound stage. I had the same thing with the 6SN7s for 2 hours.

After 2 hours the KT88s settled down or something because everything is coming from the right places. I know 2 hours on the treasures is not the last word but the potential is off the charts.

The Peter Barden pictured below was like music was spinning above me trying to lift me off the couch.

Thanks to those of you using Treasures and sharing your experienced.

There is magic in those fire bottles. BTW they replaced a quad of vintage Tung Sol 3 hole 6550s.
Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2011
    A friend of mine retubed his McIntosh MC-2301's with those, they sound very nice. IIRC, he prefers them to the GL re-issues too.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    I was iffy about the KT88s because the original TS 6550 do sound good and was a huge step up from the Svetlanas.

    But, man I am glad I did.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,032
    edited January 2011
    In a few more hours you'll want to throw them away, don't.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    Yep, the treasures are pretty psychotic until get about 50 hours on them.

    Thanks Jesse for the push, it has been a long wait if you know what I mean:wink:
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    Thas one serious tube amp ya' got there Tracy--good on you.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    Thanks George, I like it !
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,666
    edited January 2011
    Sweet amp
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    I just got my set today! I got a set of 8 for my PromaLuna monobocks One question though did your tubes crackle and hiss at you for the fist few minutes when you first turned them on?
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    chargerman426 wrote: »
    I just got my set today! I got a set of 8 for my PromaLuna monobocks One question though did your tubes crackle and hiss at you for the fist few minutes when you first turned them on?

    No. Where did you get them? I bought Premium A from GrantFidelity.

    Might ask Jesse, he has more experience with Treasures.

    But i have had not crackle or hiss with the KT88s or 6SN7s.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    Direct from china. It did it for the first min or two but have calmed down now.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,032
    edited January 2011
    Did you turn the bias down before turning the amp on?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    The PrimaLuna is an auto bias amp... so it could of just been it finding the happy spot for the tubes.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,032
    edited January 2011
    I think you nailed it.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    It was just weird. I have run EL34s, KT77s, and 6l6s in it but have never heard it do that. Well now i guess its time to sit though the 200 - 300 hour burnin
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    Good news indeed. Has anyone else bought their treasures direct from China?

    Charger, Keep us updated.

    I need 6 6sn7s for my amp's input and was thinking about going to Treasures for those tubes as well.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    thsmith wrote: »
    Good news indeed. Has anyone else bought their treasures direct from China?

    Charger, Keep us updated.

    I need 6 6sn7s for my amp's input and was thinking about going to Treasures for those tubes as well.

    I am about to purchase some treasures from China,,I think it cooks down to 50 bucks a tube shipped from a recommended dealer that others have used before and have been quite satisfied.The 50 bucks each is for a matched quad of 6CA7's,,I'll keep ya'll posted.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    Will do!

    Yeah the shipping was like 50 bucks and the tubes showed up 3 days latter. They were 50 a tube for the 8 KT88s I bought.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    Oops,, you are correct sir,,I overlooked the 50 dollar shipping,,still the tubes are about 50 bucks a pop,,so that would make it 250 quad/shipped.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    george daniel wrote: »
    I am about to purchase some treasures from China,,I think it cooks down to 50 bucks a tube shipped from a recommended dealer that others have used before and have been quite satisfied.The 50 bucks each is for a matched quad of 6CA7's,,I'll keep ya'll posted.

    George, can you share who you are getting them from ?
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    thsmith wrote: »
    George, can you share who you are getting them from ?

    sure--pm coming
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    here ya'll

    http://www.goodcomponent.com/
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    I was happy with the price, communication, and packaging from the place i got mine from. See below.

    http://www.jjyaudio.com/
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    Reading the threads tonight is what this forum is all about,, sharing and information/experience gained--yeah-- keep it coming. :smile:
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    Agreed. I hope this continues cause this is the is the reason I joined over 2 years ago. People helping each other out and not putting others down for no reason.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    Thanks George and Chargerman. Looks like a some good sources there.

    My wright amp uses 6 6sn7 tubes on the input side.

    It has adjustments that according to the manual you should not adjust but rather take to a shop if it reads anything over 0. Apparently need test equipment I do not have or would know how to use.

    Would you expect to have to make any adjustments changing out the input tubes ?
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2011
    I have never had to make any adjustments on my amps following the input tube changes,,output yes.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    Agreed I have never heard of input tubes needing bias. Normally they are self biasing.
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2011
    Glad you are liking the Treasure tubes! I have not tried their KT88s, but their 300B and 6CA7 have been great tubes in my system.
    Jake
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2011
    chargerman426 wrote: »
    Agreed I have never heard of input tubes needing bias. Normally they are self biasing.

    It is not biasing per say. I will have to dig up what it is but I know you need specific measuring tools to make adjustments.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • chargerman426
    chargerman426 Posts: 419
    edited January 2011
    Hey guys FYI that noise is still around on start up with my tubes. I just switched the tubes from one amp to the other and it followed so at least I know its the tubes. The sound seems to go away after a minute and if I play some music its not noticeable. So the question is should I just deal with it or try to get some replacement tubes from china?
    If life had more tubes it would be a lot smoother.
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