PrimaLuna EAT KT-88 Tubes - Facebook Contest

thsmith

Sorry for the extended delay on sharing how the PrimaLuna KT88 tubes sound. First we had technical difficulties with the first batch and it took some time for PrimaLuna and EAT to sort out the problem.

Yesterday I received a fresh quad of the tubes. These tubes are amazing. I played them last night for about 4 hours letting the bias settle down, my system has never sounded so good. Everything is better, the bass is controlled, articulate and has great texture. We just moved to Kansas from Dallas Texas 9 months ago and now have a basement, something you will not find in Dallas. I felt my speakers did not have enough room on the sides and were constricted. The PL EAT KT88 tubes go past my side walls 2 feet into the next room.

I played them again tonight and even cold they sound nice. Warmed up they are impressive.

For my troubles PrimaLuna sent a quad of the Tung Sol KT120 tubes. They are huge and nearly the size of a coke can. I believe they will carry these and offer as upgrade tubes in their amps. A nice compromise considering the $1600 price of the EATs.

It did not go as I would have liked but to the end we remained gentlemen and everything worked out for the better.

Thank you all that voted for me that allowed me to win such a wonderful upgrade to my system.

txcoastal1

Nice pics with sweet toobie goodness...running analog yummm

polkfarmboy

Very nice, when I bought the primaluna 6 mono's they got the new upgraded fuses so it now has the optionof running the 120's.... I never knew they were that big... holy sh#t

nooshinjohn

The 120's are a very nice tube. I really enjoy the effortless power they seem to be filled with.

thsmith

The people at PrimaLuna want me to compare the EAT KT88s, TS KT120 and Treasure KT88s.

The EATs not burned in are smacking the treasures around, they should and better at that price point.

treitz3

Hello, thsmith. My observations with the 120 mimic that of John's. Very fluid sound. Have you had a chance to try them in the system yet?

Tom

thsmith

Not yet Tom, maybe in a couple of weeks. I would like to hear the EATs fully burned in first. They sound soooo sweet and are not going thru any changes like I have heard from the treasures when burning in.

treitz3

Oh, don't get me wrong. I wasn't pushing....just curious is all. Good things do come to those who wait..... *winks*

Enjoy, my friend. Enjoy.

Tom

nooshinjohn

treitz3 wrote: »

Hello, thsmith. My observations with the 120 mimic that of John's. Very fluid sound. Have you had a chance to try them in the system yet?

Tom

I don't have much experience with tubes, but what little I do have tells me these 120's are truly worthy of being included on any list of great power tubes. As you say, very fluid, fast and detailed.

I would love to try some others, but given the cost associated with buying 12 of them, that experience will have to wait. I too look forward to living vicariously through your updates and reviews.

thsmith

we will see, they are certainly big enough.

Dawgfish

Thanks for the review! That's saying a lot that they are kicking the Treasures around as I think it is no secret we both really like the Treasures. That has to be one hell of a tube! I too am interested in what you think of those KT-120s also. I've been wanting to try these with my Maggies as I think the extra oomph will pair well with them. Congrats on the new toys!

thsmith

Dawgfish wrote: »

Thanks for the review! That's saying a lot that they are kicking the Treasures around as I think it is no secret we both really like the Treasures. That has to be one hell of a tube! I too am interested in what you think of those KT-120s also. I've been wanting to try these with my Maggies as I think the extra oomph will pair well with them. Congrats on the new toys!

Thanks ! I did not realize there was that much interest or love for the KT120s. I guess I need to get them in sooner than expected.

I agree on the treasures and PSVANES, great tube at a reasonable price but the EATs are just doing it in my system. THe soundstage width and depth is the best I have heard in the new house. THe best place I have for the 1Cs are boarderline too narrow but the EATs have opened up the sound my a good margain.

They do have more of a natural forward full sound than the NOS TS 6550s and Treasure KT88s I have tried in my amp.

Dawgfish

That's great to hear. My SRS 2s are also set up in room that is a little narrow for them. Those EATs sound like they would be just the ticket..........if I could spend that much on tubes. :-)

zingo

Congrats and the pictures are great!

thsmith

Thanks Jake

thsmith

Decided to put the TS KT-120s in.

The EATs are heavenly. The not yet burned in KT-120s are punchy for sure, good width to sound stage but no depth. A bit forward and overall pretty good but kinda boring. Now, this is based upon 5 hours of burn in.

I will update after 50-80 hours.

One thing I can say is I have a picture that the EATs made rattle that the Treasures never made rattle. The Tung Sol have not made it rattle yet.

nooshinjohn

My experience with them is they take about 200 hours to settle in. You will hear improvement for the whole duration, but the first will occur around 50/75 hours and then continue to slowly smooth out for the rest of that time.

Enjoy!

thsmith

Thanks John, AFter 8 hours they are getting some depth to them. The kick drum is alive and well with these tubes.