Tube Preference

Early B.

What brand of tube do you prefer for KT88/6550's? Why?

madmax

This is the next one I'm going to try.

http://www.thetubestore.com/shuguangkt88.html

madmax

Early B.

Max -- what tubes are you using now?

pjdami

I've been using the Electro-Harmonix KT88 for about the past year. Good tubes and they haven't kicked the can yet (turn amp on and off everyday just about...lot of cycles).

http://store.tubedepot.com/eh-kt88.html

madmax

I have Svetlana KT-88's now. I am more familiar with EL-34 tubes. I've only recently started using the KT-88's so I have very little feedback on them. I like the Svetlana's a lot but don't have much to compare them to.

Right after I bought my first 302 (EL-34's) I ran across an insane deal on the 502 so I bought it. I've only listened to the Svetlana tubes so far.

It is an interesting story. The Ebay ad stated it didn't work properly. The ad said he had just spent $300 to have the POS repaired an it has already broken again. Has a hum and sounds crappy. Not willing to sink any more money in it. He stated the amp comes complete, has original tubes plus upgrades and even comes in the original ugly freakin box it came in from the factory. Sold as is, no returns, no neg feedback because it doesn't sound good. $355 BIN

One of the driver tubes had been swapped with one of the preamp tubes. Maybe he had kids? Maybe his wife was out to get him? Who knows.

Early B.

I haven't gotten my Jolida amp yet (UPS is sooo slow), and I'm already talking about rolling the tubes. The amp comes with Svet 6550's. I am looking at the JJ Tesla KT88's because from what I've read, they seem to provide better bass than the rest of them. However, there are lots of conflicting perspectives out there regarding tubes, so it could take a few tries to find out which ones I like the most.

madmax

Just keep in mind that what people say is not always related well. Some examples: tighter bass might mean it doesn't go as low, better treble definiton might mean the upper mids are a little suppressed, lots of midrange may mean the treble drops off, etc. You will probably find that different tubes will make a given system sound better. What sounds awesome with one speaker may sound dry and bland with another. Good thing they are cheap.

pjdami

The amp comes with Svet 6550's.

Svetlana makes nice current day production tubes too. I have Svet 6550s as the "backups" for the EH KT-88 I am currently using. The Svet 6550s sound very good to me too. Only reason I got the EH KT-88s new was to see how long they would last.

Which ones sound better to me? To be honest, I'd feel like I'm splitting hairs on that one.

Enjoy the amp!