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GEC KT88 single-getter vs. triple-getter tubes

I recently received a Unison Research Sinfonia integrated amplifier and tried various tubes with it. As output tubes, I tried three-getter GEC KT-88 tubes which are great but I felt that they are overblown and rather fat sounding and lack air and HF extension. The stock tubes (Sovtek KT-88 marked "Unison Research") and somewhat lighter and brighter in a good sense and I thought I would keep them as output tubes, until I inserted the earlier vintage single-getter Genalex KT-88 tubes, which have more high frequency extension and transparency and don't have such excessive "bloom" I was suffering from. Has anyone had similar experience with these two varieties of GEC tubes? I will also appreciate any tips about a reliable source of NOS/NIB GEC/Genalex KT-88 tubes.
transl
ndeslions
79 posts
 
You could also try the Chinese GEKT88, they are head and shoulders above other current production KT88 tubes i tried in my system.
They also are very affordable.

I did not had the chance to test a GEC NOS yet.
jtaysk0c62
1 posts
 
It's really hard to find these tubes now except on ebay. All tubevendors no longer have any of this stash.

I have a set which i cherish over the last 10 years...they lasts and lasts.

IMHO, these are undoubtedly the most natural organic sounding tubes that will give you that analogue or "LP" flavour sound.

I have tried Tungsols(NOS), Ei, Svets KT88 and 6550, GEKT88, GE 6550. GEC has proved the most reliable and lasting tube that i have tried to date. I have lost too many Tungsols and current tubes which just had heartstopping failure in my Conrads over these years.

There does not seem to be that difference as i had some single getters. Have you havd your tubes tested as the difference seems to be typical of wornout tubes.
ben
66 posts
 
Transl,
I have Unison Research Performance amplifier,it is same as Sinfonia beyond one Kt88 plus for each channel.
I am happy with Shuguang KT88/98 power tubes and for the 12au7 I could not find out any better than stock EH12au7s (I do not know it is because of this amps circuity or what reason?) and for the 12ax7s I have the best sound with both Ei and Shuguang 12ax7s.
I also replaced the stock icel brand capacitors (one 0.47 for each channel)with
Vcaps and made this amp much better.
transl OP
156 posts
 
Thank you, it's very interesting - about V-caps and everything. A year ago I replaced the stock 0.22uf caps in my Cary SLI-80 with V-caps and after a long, long burn-in (though their flavor was apparent at the outset) the amp opened up. Still, I believe thay are colored.
transl OP
156 posts
 
jtaysk: I don't have a tube tester. I ordered three-getter GEC tubes from HK as NOS two years ago and they appeared as such, but who can tell...

I've seen GEC tubes at Tejatubes, they also occasionally appear at Brent Jessee Recording, but the price is US$1500-1660 a quad.
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