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treasure kt 88 vs vintage tung Sol 6550

Well, I have been trying to give these treasure kt88 a fair shake for a while.  I have read many that say they cannot hear a difference in these grant fidelity choice tubes and vintage nos.  All I can say is do not take any wooden nickels.  There really is no comparison, the vintage tung Sol 6550 just blew away the treasure kt 88.  Not even close, in bass, texture, clarity, well, everything.  One thing I will say about the treasure kt 88 is I did find them forgiving.  As far as CDs are concerned, the tung sols are not.  If you have a CD in with the tung sols, you will know it.  If you have vinyl on, same thing.  If is a quality recording, you will hear it regardless if it is digital or analog. The treasures are not as clean sounding, but considering what is available today, they may be the closest to nos.  However, any claim that they are as good or better than nos really is not very honest.  IMHO.
tzh21y
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
Have you compared the Gold Lion reissue KT-88 vs. the Treasure?
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
I have not.  The reason for the post is it you go on the grant fidelity website, they have reviews by supposed audio reviewers regarding nos and the treasures.  They state that they are just as good if not better.  Well, maybe the reviewer had wax in his ears or something.  If you have good nos power tubes, do not let someone talk you in to these.  There truly is no comparison, do not be fooled.
mountz's avatar
mountz
132 posts
 
That is called puffing, they can make any claim away from the the sale and then not have to support the information they provide.  Always audition or get other "real" audiogon opinions before.  I have learned this the hard way over the years!
rodman99999
6,128 posts
 
"The treasures are not as clean sounding, but considering what is available today, they may be the closest to NOS."  No- regarding what's being manufactured today, the closest to the original Tung-Sol, is the EAT KT-88.  Nothing else comes close, but- you're going to pay for the presentation.
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