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KT88s...the final chapter

Ok, Ive posted before, ive read the prior threads, ive read the David99 vs Marchman debacle, I done my homework on NOS, Valve Art, Svetlanas, out there. Id love to use Gold Lions and other NOS out there, but most are sold on ebay 1 pair or quad at a time for around $100 a piece. I need 16 tubes. Svetlanas run about $40 a piece. Sovteks are about $24 each. My question, are the Sovteks such a step down in quality to my stcok Svetlana 6550's? I am talking about the price to value ratio here. If my amps used a quad or even an octet, id have no problem with forking out the $$ for Gold Lions. Has anyone given the Sovtek kt88s a shot and if so, were they put back in the box bad? Anyone have suggestions on a lo cost source for kt88 types?

thanks
128x128justlisten
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
Justlisten: Further to my post above, the guy I mentioned has his last two matched quads of Svetlanas up for dutch auction, at a higher initial price ($125) though. I've completed an auction with him, but haven't received my tubes yet so can't comment on the goods at this point. No problems with him following through, though. You might want to ask him about them.
justlisten's avatar
justlisten OP
489 posts
 
RC,

I have spoken with him and he only has 3 quads left and I need 4. I dont want to purchase 3 quads, then have to search for another quad to complete the set.

Leafs, you are the 1st person who has spoken favorably about the Sovteks. It seems kinda in fashion to bash on them, ive only used their el34's and didnt mind them at all.
zt000
30 posts
 
I prefer Sovtek KT-88 over Svet 6550C and Svet KT-88 over Sovtek KT-88. However, I prefer Penta KT-88 over Svet KT-88 and their price is somewhere between Sovtek and Svet. Since you are using 6550C, the Sovtek KT-88 would most likely give you satisfactory results. However, if I were You, I'd pay little more to get Penta. However, if your amp were voiced exclusively with 6550C, all bets are off.
zt000
30 posts
 
Try http://www.thetubestore.com/kt8890100types.html for objective evaluations.
jvr
105 posts
 
have not read extensive posts on this subject. but i have talked to a lot of tube dealers and some equipment mfgs. an expert i am not! here are my findings.

gold dragons are just select current mfg tubes. rogue uses kt88s in their magnum upgrade that are supposed to be select and matched for him. 300$ per 8. mark states that these are much better than the svet or sovtek. he also stated that they had good success with electro harmonix 6550 "tun-sol like in sound".

tube dealers all seem to say best kt88 is nos m&o and best 6550 was tun-sol. during the years of there respective hay day. i am saving to buy some used tun-sols (that test good)and should last many many years to come. as all stated these were the best sounding of the bunch. good luck
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