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NOS KT 88s or GE 6550s

I am currently running a quad of Gold Lion KT 88s in my Conrad Johnson LPS 70 power amp. At considerable expense I can switch to NOS KT 88s or GE 6550s. Would this be a sideways move or a real improvement over the current production Gold Lions ? Would appreciate the advice/comments of CJ or ARC power amp owners who have made the switch. Unfortunately a demo in my system is not possible.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers
Pradeep
128x128sunnyboy1956
joe_appierto
81 posts
 
Hifigeek1,

So much of it comes down to the circuit we're using the tube in and our personal preferences. Some is just blind luck in terms of getting a good or bad batch. I have both the ST-shaped and the straight-sided Philips Sylvania 6550's and they are very nice tubes, I agree. I prefer the ST-shaped but again, that's just my opinion.
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,915 posts
 
Hifigeek1, perhaps if you could listen to a good amp using the GE6550's you would see what the fascination is all about.
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
I have heard them in an Audio Research D-76A as well as a D-79. They sound great but the newer versions of that tube are just not very reliable.
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,915 posts
 
Hifigeek1, what newer versions are you talking about? The GE 6550 tubes that I have used and heard were all very good sounding and quite reliable. If you are talking about another brand, well that's a different situation.
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
For a few years Richardson was making 6550's using GE's tube machines that they had purchased. Tube looked the same but that's where the comparison ended. They were miserable.
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