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What are some good tube amps that rock? KT88's?

Hi there, I am currently using an all older CJ SS setup. I fell I need a tube amp to get rid of the grit in my system. I thought upgrading my DAC would do it but it remains.

Its really important to me to be able to play loud, I have been told I would do best with a KT88/6550 based amp. I owned a CJ Premier 11A and loved (Sold it due to budget back in the day). I listen to everything but I play rap,reggae, and rock mostly when I play loud. Im going to be crossing over my speakers at around 60-80HZ

My speakers are B&W Matrix 804's which want a decent amount of current despite their small appearance.

Tanks a million
Toby
128x128systembuilder
systembuilder's avatar
systembuilder OP
111 posts
 
Oh does anyone have any experience putting KT88's in either a CJ Premier 11A or Premier 1?

Thanks again
Toby
unsound
7,329 posts
 
B&W's are typically better with ss amps. I'm surprised your having problems with "grit" with your system. While a tube pre doesn't typically inflect a tube sound as much as tube amp, and while you have a fine ss pre, if you want to add tubes, I suspect for total system synergy, you might be better off with a tube pre rather than a tube amp. A
c-j tube pre might be a good candidate.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
B&W Matrix is just as tough load as Thiel and totally unfriendly to tubes even if you're crossing over to your sub. The only tube amp comes into mind that is stable down to 2Ohms is VTL MB125,225 etc.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
If possible check out Octave. MRE 130's are my first thought with KT88's. Now I just read Octave just released an amp designed with the KT120's - the RE 290.
http://www.octave.de/en/htdocs/verstaerker/re290.php

Good luck
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Forgot to mention I got the Octave V70SE integrated to drive my Dyn C1's (85db). I mention that because Dyn's love current and the Octave is fantastic.

As far as KT88's personally for the money the Gold Lion re-issue is my favorite. If cost were no object the EAT KT88 diamond is better (but not 6 X the money - maybe 2 or 3 X). That being said my favorite tube (again money is no object) is the original Tung Sol 6550 black plate. They remind me more of the EL34/KT77 mid range magic but with KT88 power.
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