Do we still need 6550 or KT88 tubes?

Many of the older 6550 based amps cannot accept the newer KT120's. Presumably, the new KT150s would also be incompatible as well. So, to keep these amps alive, i think we will need to keep at least the 6550's going.

Hi Xti16

I contacted leisure-audio about the Shuguang KT-120s and they quoted me a price of $199/quad. I haven't ordered them because I just don't have the funds and honestly am up to my eyeballs in all sorts of KT-88, 6550 and Tung Sol KT-120 tubes. I think I've spent just as much money trying various tubes for my Jolida than what I originally paid for it. Oh well the joys and insanity of tube rolling...

Jedinite24 - I think I spent as much on tubes as my Octave too. Here I thought I was the only one that's Nuts.. LOL

Jedi, even though we are using different amplifiers I'd like to hear your impression of the tubes you have used.

I like the sound of my 6550 and KT88 sets, but KT120s seem to sound stronger in my rig, and they're larger, so there's that...I do wonder if Shuguang KT120s will be any different from Tung Sols, and recently noticed some Chinese "Gold Lion" branded 12AX7 tubes being made by license (so they say) from New Sensor...for about half the cost of Gold Lions. They really should make a KT120 with fancy gold lettering, gold pins, and a presentation box or they're missing an opportunity...my new Psvane 12AX7s had a great box which provides a comfortable home for the tubes they replaced, or a nice casket for burrying small twin rodents.

Regarding guitar amps, a lot of guitar players who have been around the tube amp block are going for lower wattage amps since you can squeeze the magic grease out of the power tube stage without relying on complete preamp tube saturation...I just bought an EL34 based Burriss Royal Bluesman that illustrates this wonderfully and will melt your brains if you push the 18 watts...my other fave amp (Reverend Goblin) has a "5 or 15 watt" switch and does the same with 6V6 power tubes. A beautiful thing.