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Tube rolling with Quicksilver Mono 60s -- from KT77 to KT88? KT 120? etc.

Happy Turkey Day!  I have Quicksilver 60 Monos and I'm using Gold Lion KT77s. They sound great. The amp came with JJ KT88s and they were a bit bright/harsh. The GL 77s are better.

For variety's sake, I'm thinking of having another set to just try for variation. The monos can use KT77, KT90, KT88, KT120 or KT150 outputs.

I have heard the Gold Lion KT88s are great tubes, but I'd also be open to others (not more 77s, though).

Does anyone one have a sense of the kinds of sound changes might be brought by either KT90 or better KT88 or KT120 or KT150s?

If it matters, I'm using a QS Line stage and stand mount speakers, 8 ohm 87 db.

One thing I'm looking for (possibly) is a somewhat tighter bass, but I'd be open to hearing what other sonic changes might result from other tubes.

Thanks.

128x128hilde45
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,998 posts
 
Thank you, folks. And special thanks to you oldhvymec for the time you took with your post. I'm tempted to get the GL KT88s but may I ask a question? When you say "signal valve" what do you mean? I'm a bit new to this stuff. 

In my rig I have two tubes in my line stage -- are those the signal valve?

Otherwise, in my mono amps, I have (starting from the rca input plug) (a) an input and (b) a driver tube before I get to (c) two output tubes.

So which is the "signal" tube you're suggesting I play with?

Thanks again and hope your holiday was festive! 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,998 posts
 
@tablejockey Those are honkin' tubes. Would they work in my amp? I don't know. They're not on the list the amp came with.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
The small valves.. Roll a couple sets.. Go to someone with a good rep. for your valves IF you don’t check you own.. The guys will chime in..
I have my own gear to check valves... I’m not one to trust to many, it is always trust and VERIFY!!

12AX7
12BH7

The 12AX7 that’s your best friend. ;-)
12BH7 can add a LOT of harshness too. You have to be careful with that valve.. DON’T spend a lot of money, BUT make sure they are balanced and matched.. ASK the seller (of the valves) to help you. LOW noise, and tell them what you want and what you’ve heard... WORK with the tube seller, if he won’t help.. WRONG guy.

Small valves FIRST.. 50 - 100 for a pair. NO MORE...
Tellies, or GOOD RCAs, GE, Volvo, Mazda, Mullard, Solvex, night and day...

PSVANE, Sylvania, be careful, BRIGHT, comes to mind..

JJs nothing come to mind. C- on the ol sound scale at best.. it’s right in there with most RCAs sold as NOS, LOL rare indeed to find GOOD, stock.. you have to test EVERY one...

Have fun save your money, just a bit.. YES the GLs, though expensive are a good valve. My problem, I’ve had higher failure rates than Solvex, at 1/2 the price, and as good if not better in some ways, sonicly.. I don’t care for the 10% matching either. The solvex I use are within 5% (closer to 2% for me) GL is a good choose though. Kinda.. LOL

GE 6550s are a wonder to behold too. really one of the great tubes..of old if you can find a good old set... Push Pull units, love that valve.. Macs sure do...

When the ol hand feel good, I type away.. Friggin blabber mouth.. LOL. It's ok, I know...

Regards
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,998 posts
 
Thanks, oldhvy. Here's what I currently have (all closely matched) in addition to the outputs:

12AT7/6201 Valvo made for Amperex/Philips, gold pin selected tubes, (1962/1968)
12AX7 Amperex Holland Bugle Boy (1960/1962)
12BH7A RCA (Greyplate)

tablejockey
3,925 posts
 
"Those are honkin' tubes. Would they work in my amp? I don't know. They're not on the list the amp came with."

hilde45- They aren't available yet. My guess is if your amp is approved for KT150, they probably will be. Until they are officially released and getting the nod from the amp manufacturer of course, needs to be confirmed.
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