Best kt88 for VAC Avatar Super

Been there done that bought the T-shirt. For the record I even did comparisons of three different types of EL-34 output tubes, including NOS Siemens, in my Avatar. Stayed with the VAC tested Shuguang tubes. I used NOS Mullards for the signal and phono stage tubes. With my Auricle Musicblocs I used a combination of RCA cleartop and Telefunken for the signal tubes and the VAC premium KT-88 tubes.

Kind of a moot point now anyway as I now longer own either of these pieces.

I am a long-time VAC Avatar Super owner and have tried quite a few brands of output tubes and have found that the absolute best are definitely the Genelex Gold Lions, they do everything right from top to bottom. They are just awesome. Also a very good performer was the Ruby KT88 which I tried on the advice of a local tech. Next would be shuguang and then EH (great detail, limited bottom end).

The VAC tubes I have bought are very expensive and I don't see that you are getting anything better than you can get for less $$ from known and trusted tube vendors. Remember, Kevin values his time highly and you will see that in his pricing (can't fault him for that).

Maineiac
Have you tried Svetlana winged c?

VACMAN, I don't believe I have tried the Svetlana winged C.

Maineiac,

After reading your enthusiastic post, I ordered a matched quad of Gold Lions from Tube Depot (on sale for $109 for a matched pair). They will be going into my VAC Phi 200 amp.

Questions for you or anyone with opinion and experience:

1. How long did it take them to burn in?
2. Did you keep your VAC powered on 24/7 during the initial burn-in?
3. I read the RAM Tubeaudiostore.com site, which has them on sale for $75 each, but tubes are matched by a proprietary computer program. Anyone with experience with this, is it worth the added cost?