To all you Cary SLI 80 owners, I'm looking for tube suggestions


Hello all, I have a one year old Cary SLI 80 HS and I have not changed a thing on it. Same tube set it came from the factory with. KT88's are Psvane, input tubes are JJ's.  It is a sublime match with my Volti Razz speakers. 

My question is this, what have you all tried with rolling tubes? Anyone try output variants? EL34's, KT 77 or 66's. Or have you changed out input tubes and noted and enjoyable difference?

Any and all suggestions would be welcome.

Thank you,

Doug

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xdoyle3433

I didn't think that the (reissued) Gold Lion made a EL34?  Or is the KT77 synonymous with EL34?

I was hoping you would catch that. Looks like Glennewdick has the inside line. I haven't used the KT77s yet but have used the KT-88s. I guess my favorite EL-34 is the Tesla. Quicksilver has some but don't know if they will sell them to non-Quicksilver customers.

I'm currently running some vintage Bugle Boy 6922's, vintage Sylvania JAN 6SN7's and a set of E.H. 6CA7s, (biased at 40mA).  This is my favorite combo so far for my Vienna Acoustic speakers.  

With the above combo and a set of Sovtec 6922's it can be a bit too edgy on the top end at higher volumes.  The Bugle Boys take a bit of that edge off.

Before the 6CA7's, I ran a new set of JJ KT77's (biased at 40mA) which are similar, but not quite as much decay in cymbal strikes.

I have also run a set of Ruby 6550's but they were just too soft up top.  I guess if I had a bright speaker, they might be better, but not for me.

Hopefully that helps.

I was hoping you would catch that. Looks like Glennewdick has the inside line. I haven't used the KT77s yet but have used the KT-88s. I guess my favorite EL-34 is the Tesla. Quicksilver has some but don't know if they will sell them to non-Quicksilver customers.

@russ69  , I don't want to hijack the OP, but since I run a dozen EL34s in my Cary V12, I always paya attention to the EL34 threads.  (Currently I am running my 3rd set, which are the reissued Tungsols that I bought from Jim McShane back sometime around 2020, and I like them, but when replacement time comes I am looking for something else).

Anyway, I did some quick googles, and now Tesla is a branch of JJ?

Thank you guys for the info and input. As it stands the current factory tube set is just fine. My thought is that since Cary made the rectifier section solid state, what I’m hoping for is a bit more warmth and sweetness in the mids and highs.

I usually buy my tubes from Viva tubes, they are rear to deal with, however if there are other vendors as already mentioned, I will definitely check them out.

I prefer RAM Labs EL34's over RFT EL34's and Gold Lion KT88's.   The RAM Labs are a steal @ $140 for a quad.   Using NOS Amperex 7308's and TungSol 6SN7WGT's from Brent Jessie.