KT88 opinions

[EdBass]

EdBass, How do you feel the russian Gold Lion tubes compare to the original Genalex tubes? just curious...

Wow, I don't want to touch that one with a ten foot pole! Seriously, the original GEC KT88's are the cream of the crop in the eye of most audiophiles. I have amps with pairs of GEC KT88's, a couple of pairs test near new in 200S's and they sound tremendous. I've never A/B'ed the Russian re-issues in those amps, the only Russian Gold Lions I have are the quad I have in the Reeves.
I guess the answer is I don't know, but I have to defer to the court of public opinion and say that the re-issues are nice, but not in the same class as the original GEC's.

By the way, I just picked up a new Reeves protoype today to "see what I think". Six KT88's, probably 410-420 watts, the chassis alone weighs 65 lbs without the head case. It will be a couple of days before I get to it, it's just sitting in my office waiting for me to light it up. Should be interesting, I may start a thread in the other equipment forum with some pics later today or tomorrow, it's a beast.

[soberskipper]

EdBass, How do you feel the russian Gold Lion tubes compare to the original Genalex tubes? just curious...

Wow, I don't want to touch that one with a ten foot pole! Seriously, the original GEC KT88's are the cream of the crop in the eye of most audiophiles. I have amps with pairs of GEC KT88's, a couple of pairs test near new in 200S's and they sound tremendous. I've never A/B'ed the Russian re-issues in those amps, the only Russian Gold Lions I have are the quad I have in the Reeves.
I guess the answer is I don't know, but I have to defer to the court of public opinion and say that the re-issues are nice, but not in the same class as the original GEC's.

Yeah I know they aren't the same but I was just curious, thanks for the non-BS answer... its about as good as I could have hoped for! 

By the way, I just picked up a new Reeves protoype today to "see what I think". Six KT88's, probably 410-420 watts, the chassis alone weighs 65 lbs without the head case. It will be a couple of days before I get to it, it's just sitting in my office waiting for me to light it up. Should be interesting, I may start a thread in the other equipment forum with some pics later today or tomorrow, it's a beast.

Holy Crap. That sounds great! Its funny, when I got my Model T today I was thinking about Dave Reeves only because the wiring of the sunn is the complete opposite of a Reeves! I like how it looks like someone took a handful of resistors and caps and threw them in there blindfolded.

Cant wait to see those pics!

[N2000s]

Yeah, Anyone see that NOS quad of original GEC/Sunn KT88's on ebay recently? I would loved to try those out and do a test between them and the newer Gold Lions. A couple years ago I went with the GL reissues in my 350B and have had no issues and they sound excellent to me. Have not had the chance to do a heads up with the JJ's so I can't comment on the compairsions first hand.
Anyone have experience with the Tung-Sol 6550s?


Ed, what cab are you going to use with that Reeves 400 watt monster?

[EdBass]

Yeah, Anyone see that NOS quad of original GEC/Sunn KT88's on ebay recently? I would loved to try those out and do a test between them and the newer Gold Lions. A couple years ago I went with the GL reissues in my 350B and have had no issues and they sound excellent to me. Have not had the chance to do a heads up with the JJ's so I can't comment on the compairsions first hand.
Anyone have experience with the Tung-Sol 6550s?


Ed, what cab are you going to use with that Reeves 400 watt monster?

I have a pair of strong vintage Tung Sol 6550's in a Sceptre, but that's the only amp I've used them in. I've been wondering about the Reeves speaker thing myself, not sure yet. I probably will use a Sonic I40 with a K140 for low level stuff, but I would be very hesitant to risk any vintage drivers with high level tests.
Here's a "teaser" pic...

[CLD]

Is this a higher-powered version of the C225?

[EdBass]

Is this a higher-powered version of the C225?

That's the goal, and the main reason why I have it. The C225 has been successful for them, but have had requests for more "juice". I truthfully don't know what application would actually need that much power, the C225 is stupid loud, but yes, they want me to tell them if the 400 is exactly that; a higher powered C225.

I'm going to post the few pics I have in a new thread, because this is getting waaaay off topic.

[Greg_M]

I am kind of partial to Electro-Harmonix, their model is designated KT88 EH
I use the Electro-Harmonix EL34s in my Dynaco Stereo 70s and they sound very nice for HiFi
They're cheap too, $60 for a pair of KT88s