Which KT88s for Cary SLI-80?

I think you are describing the sound of the CAL cd player, not the amp! I did not own the model you own but I owned several others and while they were great in their day, over time they sounded mechanical compared to newer models. That was my experience anyway.

Art

Aloha Artmaltman! Actually, I had the EL34s in the Cary while using three different players--the CAL CL-15, a Modwright Sony 999ES (Tung-sol tubes), and a Lector 0.6T. The edginess/glassiness occurred with each of them (though less so in the CAL than the other two), which is one reason I thought to switch back to KT88s in the Cary.

Regarding power tubes, I've spoken with one dealer, eurotubes.com, who said emphatically the KT77 JJ Electronics tubes ARE NOT "JJ Tesla" as I have been used to calling them, but are made in Slovakia in a factory using some old Tesla equipment. He also said that the JJ Electronics E34L is the tube with more power--about 15%-20%--than the EL34 and not the KT77 they make, which is based on a GEC KT77 and has the same power rating as an EL34. I'm just reporting his comments, though, as I have tried none of these.

Have you tried the Svetlana's EL 34? The EL 34 produces a warmer sound than the KT 88. I have Prima Luna equipment and have just switched from Svetlana KT 88's to their EL 34's. It is a bit warmer and more intimate sound ... very pleasing.

Regards, Rich

I've tried Chinese EL34s (stolen from my own PrimaLuna One) and RFT EL34s. I wouldn't say those were warmer, but they did create interesting changes in spaciousness of sound and air--particularly the RFTs. Like I said above, the drop in power also caused glassiness in massed trebles, so I switched back to Svetlana KT88s. Kevin Deal, though, of Upscale Audio gave the same recommendation regarding warmth, as he says the Svetlana Winged "C" KT88 is the warmest of its kind and the only way to improve on it is to go to Svetlana (SED) EL34s. Thanks for the view.

Art Maltman's observation that the glassiness in my system I thought I was hearing with Svetlana KT88s was not the power tubes but rather the sound of the CD player provoked me to reconsider my entire approach to the issues of warmth and glassiness. Since we exchanged messages in the thread, I've made many changes in my system. I'm still using the Svetlana C KT88s, but I bought a new Cary 303/300 and rolled Mullard longplate 12AU7s into it (replacing stock EH tubes). I've also switched input tubes in my Cary SLI-80 to Bugle Boy 6DJ8s and NOW I have the sound I've been after--a warm midrange with a clear, airy top-end in the massed vocals of choirs. The Bugle Boys are the most recent change, and they replace a whole sequence of fine input tubes (Mullard 6DJ8, Siemens & Halske 6DJ8, Philips 6922 SQ, Philips 7308, Mullard E188CC/7308)--all very good, but not as airy and spacious as the BBs. Art Maltman's observation that I may have been describing the sound of the Cal player rather than the KT88s was entirely correct--it was the CDP that was the limitation of the system (also with JoLida, Lector 0.6T, and Modwright Sony 999ES). I decided to upgrade my target price-point therefore, and I couldn't be happier. His suggestion/criticism/observation was the critical point at which I began to reconsider my approach, and the resulting chain of changes has given me a system that pleases me a great deal. [As a side-note, I want to mention I've acquired a quad of 50s Tung-Sol 6550s that are wonderful with operatic voices, especially with lyric sopranos; and I have also read that Western Electric is planning a re-release of the Genalex KT88 once made by Marconi-Osram.] Many thanks to all for your feedback. It's a perfect demonstration to me how well Audiogon works as a site for hobbyists who seek help and then, like magic, receive it.