Psvane KT88 tubes in VAC amps

Dr. John, are the CV-181's the alternative to the 6SN7 input tubes that come in Kevin's amps? I swapped out the two input tubes on my Phi 200 mono amps with those tubes and the amp sounds fantastic. I did try the Psvane KT-88's but feel the KT-88-SC that are stock sound just as good to me so I kept the Psvane's as back ups. On the 200's the only thing I am changing out is the two 6SN7s for the CV-181s and saving the money and buying the SC version KT-88's from Kevin who does a good job of matching and assuring quality. Both models are built in the same factory as the Psvane; Shiguang (sp?) in China. I use the Psvane 12AX7's in my Signature phono stage and find them to be slightly quieter than the stock tubes.

Hifimaniac,

I've been considering their new design, Psvane KT88 TII and am curious of the differences you observed while listening to the two?

I have some reissue Gold Lions coming in to try and have heard from many that they are great tubes if matched correctly but we shall see how they compare after about 100 hours of burn-in...

Thanks,

Dr. John,

I have been experimenting with Psvane 12AX7 in my Vac amp in position V01/02 and 4. With Psvane in pos 1&2, you will get a deeper soundstage, super black background and more transparency but will lose some bloom and a more forward soundstage that the stock 12AX7 provide.

The Psvane in pos V04 provides the best compromise with the bloom of the stock tubes but with more transparency, lower floor noise better placement of image with the soundstage...

Still debating the Psvane KT88 TII...

sorry for the delay in replying. Yes the CV-181's replace Kevin's stock maroon-based 6SN7's and blow them away-not cheap for tubes of their type, but worth every penny. Psvane now produces a TII version of the 88's with a gray coating and I've read with some credence that an all-Psvane complement creates an effect greater than the sum of its parts. Kevin's stock SC's are no slouch, but then we always want more, don't we ?

-john