Do we still need 6550 or KT88 tubes?

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.

77jovian, kt 120 will fit in your ARC vt 100.
I used mine with kt 120 for more than 1000 hours now.
Some days I listen 10 hours without a break.
Sounds good, works perfekt!

77jovian, kt 120 will fit in your ARC vt 100.
I used mine with kt 120 for more than 1000 hours now.
Some days I listen 10 hours without a break.
Sounds good, works perfekt!

Yes, we still need the other tubes. I tried KT120 tubes in my system and they sounded terrible compared to the Gold Lion KT88s. The bass was overpowering, the highs not as extended, the soundstage not as extended in any dimension, they were not as clear... Basically, I thought they sucked.

Lower the bias on the kt120 and they won't be muddy.