El34 = KT88 = KT120
I hope you are kidding … if not, go see a specialist.
El34 = KT88 = KT120
Sure the KT120 is 2x;'s the size of a EL34.
But in my limited expereince ((thus far,,have 1 more experiement just ahead when my new speakers arrive and I build the cabinet, then further testing of the 3 types can begin)
You get something nice of one tube vs the other 2, and another of he 3 shines better here, the last is slightly superior in this/that aspect.
6 of 1 /half dozen of the other.
I mean it all boils down gain here, and give up something there.
Power tube = power tube.
I would not make such a big deal over the comparisons.
Thats said.
I think for me , i prefer the EL34 of all power tubes (as I've been told its the best of the 3) , Why?
Because its the ideal tube in a PP amp for a single wide band speaker.
But i could be wrong,
Will test out the 3 tubes in a few weeks.
I actually could not hear much differences on the Seas speakers. All 3 sounded so very close.
You might say the Kt120's out shoot the tiny EL34 in the low bass fq's.
I have Mundorf caps in the amp, these high end caps adds a nice punchy bass to any tube in the socket.
The EL34 has just about same bass as the huge KT120's.
I just don't see much difference to debate the issue.
But in my limited expereince ((thus far,,have 1 more experiement just ahead when my new speakers arrive and I build the cabinet, then further testing of the 3 types can begin)
You get something nice of one tube vs the other 2, and another of he 3 shines better here, the last is slightly superior in this/that aspect.
6 of 1 /half dozen of the other.
I mean it all boils down gain here, and give up something there.
Power tube = power tube.
I would not make such a big deal over the comparisons.
Thats said.
I think for me , i prefer the EL34 of all power tubes (as I've been told its the best of the 3) , Why?
Because its the ideal tube in a PP amp for a single wide band speaker.
But i could be wrong,
Will test out the 3 tubes in a few weeks.
I actually could not hear much differences on the Seas speakers. All 3 sounded so very close.
You might say the Kt120's out shoot the tiny EL34 in the low bass fq's.
I have Mundorf caps in the amp, these high end caps adds a nice punchy bass to any tube in the socket.
The EL34 has just about same bass as the huge KT120's.
I just don't see much difference to debate the issue.
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- 26 posts total
Tube comparisons are only valid when the same amp is used with all the tubes in succession. Boy, as the resident “expert” you sure make a lot of non-expert comments. EL34s, KT88s and KT120 have different plate and grid voltages, they have different cathode current ratings. Ergo, they CANNOT be compared on the same amp. An amp will be optimized for one and not the others. |
@pauly Really? Quicksilver’s Mid Mono amplifier is completely hand-wired and can use many different output tubes; the Mid Mono has a low loss output transformer, adjustable bias, and five-way gold-plated binding posts. Setting the bias is very simple: two screwdriver controls and pin jacks for any multimeter that reads millivolts. Power is 40 watts at 50% triode operation with the standard EL34s or KT88s, 45 watts with KT120s and 50 watts with KT150s. Another! The V4 recreates a musical event on a scale and with a solidity, roundness, and three-dimensionality matched by few and surpassed by no other amplifiers, with sensational dynamic-range to boot.” Paul Seydor – The Absolute Sound, October 2002. “Connecting the Quicksilver Audio V4s quickly revealed that these were very good sounding amps indeed. Space, delicacy, transparency, and overall musical believably were of high order.” Bascom King – Audio, February 1998. Powerful, musical, and effortless–this is the sound of the V4. As with all Quicksilver’s amplifiers, the V4s are all tube and hand wired point-to-point. A bias meter is mounted in the chassis and individual controls allow each output tube to be biased separately. The amplifiers come with KT150s, but EL34s, 6550s, or KT88s can also be used. |
@yogiboy Look at the specifications for the tubes.https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/129/e/EL34.pdf https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/086/k/KT88.pdf Plate voltage for EL34 used in push pull operation is 450v, it’s 560v for KT88s in push pull operation. Sure it will work with the KT88s, but not optimally. Same deal for switching between triode and ultra linear / pentode. You want a higher plate voltage for triode mode. Ultra linear / pentode operation will also need more nfb than when operating in triode mode. If it’s optimized for one, it’s definitely not optimized for the other. Doesn’t mean it sounds bad, but it’s not optimized as well as it could be. Besides, what are you doing with push pull amps? Get a SET amp and join us on the dark side. 😂🤣 |
@pauly Here ya go! PrimaLuna’s Adaptive AutoBias is a true, smart technology employing an array of sensors to monitor tubes and make adjustments seamlessly in real time. More important, it is the ONLY circuit of its kind that is truly "adaptive" by addressing "tube pinch off" at higher volumes, therefore reducing distortion by over 50% and greatly extending tube life. Adaptive AutoBias is completely passive and NOT in the signal path. The result is low to no maintenance, long tube life, and the lowest possible distortion for amazing sound. Adaptive AutoBias also provides unparalleled flexibility by allowing use of almost any tube on the market today. It even has a fine-tuning switch for EL-34 and KT88/KT120/KT150 tube types. |
- 26 posts total