Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 9:38:55 GMT
HI All, Being utterly enamourded with the PrimaLuna and with the impending arrival of some glassware to try, courtesy of Jerry, I have been having a look at the Valve options. I would very much appreciate any comments from those who may have heard a set of the PSVANE KT88-TII MARK II. Also, any recommendations of KT88's, Any you may be thinking of selling etc..... Thanks  |
|
|
|
Post by karma67 on Sept 1, 2020 10:20:37 GMT
what are the pre amp tubes? 12AT7? there is more bang for your buck in doing those first. however in answer to your question then the holy grail are the gec kt88's,expect to pay 250-350 each for a good one.i used sovtek kt88's before there isn't a huge difference but if your after every last drop then gec's are the top of the tree.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 10:32:09 GMT
what are the pre amp tubes? 12AT7? there is more bang for your buck in doing those first. however in answer to your question then the holy grail are the gec kt88's,expect to pay 250-350 each for a good one.i used sovtek kt88's before there isn't a huge difference but if your after every last drop then gec's are the top of the tree.
I can't see me going bonkers on GEC at the moment. The 12au7 and 12ax7 are all branded "PrimaLuna" but I already have the replacement valves for those positions. I was going to future proof any issues by picking them up as I go. The PL valves are fine for now, but I'm noticing that the availability of NOS valves has diminished quite severely in my few years away from valve gear, and I dont to be paying 3x the price in 12 months because I didn't act now. If you know what I mean. I would ideally like to find a modern production valve of sufficient quality....that's where the peace of mind will be found. |
|
|
|
Post by karma67 on Sept 1, 2020 10:36:54 GMT
what are the pre amp tubes? 12AT7? there is more bang for your buck in doing those first. however in answer to your question then the holy grail are the gec kt88's,expect to pay 250-350 each for a good one.i used sovtek kt88's before there isn't a huge difference but if your after every last drop then gec's are the top of the tree.
I would ideally like to find a modern production valve of sufficient quality....that's where the peace of mind will be found. reliability is the problem with modern valves,if i were buying new id go for the gold lion re issues. |
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 10:44:28 GMT
I would ideally like to find a modern production valve of sufficient quality....that's where the peace of mind will be found. reliability is the problem with modern valves,if i were buying new id go for the gold lion re issues. Oh, I have read positive things about them. "Faithful reproductions of the Gennelex valve" I think it said... I'll see if I can find it. |
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 10:55:42 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by karma67 on Sept 1, 2020 11:00:24 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Sept 1, 2020 11:28:58 GMT
I run a quad of genelex gold lion, seen off many others in the past. I'll include a list tonight of what I've tried.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 11:31:59 GMT
Good prices in the current realm of valve costs.....but ouch lol |
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 11:32:19 GMT
I run a quad of genelex gold lion, seen off many others in the past. I'll include a list tonight of what I've tried. Good man! The Golden Lion are looking like a strong candidate. |
|
|
|
Post by mikeyb on Sept 1, 2020 13:07:26 GMT
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 13:30:11 GMT
That is an interesting read....would imagine that most of the products are "in house" by now? |
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Sept 1, 2020 20:23:49 GMT
So from my earlier post this morning. So far I've tried :-
Brimar (2019)
JJ
Sovtek
Electroharmonix
Golden Lion Genelex KT88
TAD
The Genelex to my ears sound the best, Electroharmonix are reasonable as well and keenly priced. I do have some GEC original KT88's but not tried them. I'm aware of other KT88 brands especially PSVane but I'm happy with the Genelex at the moment.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 21:07:15 GMT
So from my earlier post this morning. So far I've tried :- Brimar (2019) JJ Sovtek Electroharmonix Golden Lion Genelex KT88 TAD The Genelex to my ears sound the best, Electroharmonix are reasonable as well and keenly priced. I do have some GEC original KT88's but not tried them. I'm aware of other KT88 brands especially PSVane but I'm happy with the Genelex at the moment. That's very helpful Andrew. I am feeling a lot of people echo your thoughts. |
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Sept 1, 2020 21:19:25 GMT
Have you researched 6550 variants?? Svetlana winged C might be on your RADAR.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 1, 2020 22:15:23 GMT
Have you researched 6550 variants?? Svetlana winged C might be on your RADAR. I haven't done anything... The legitimate Svetlana are the winged C logo and have "Made in Russia" on the box....is that right? |
|
|
|
Post by karma67 on Sept 2, 2020 6:37:00 GMT
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 2, 2020 17:51:46 GMT
All pointing in one direction.....either GEC...or The GL |
|
|
|
Post by rexton on Sept 2, 2020 19:44:32 GMT
The GL is a replica of the GEC at about 10-20 times less the cost. NO valve is worth that much brass!
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
|
Post by Bigman80 on Sept 2, 2020 20:55:07 GMT
The GL is a replica of the GEC at about 10-20 times less the cost. NO valve is worth that much brass! Good point. |
|
|
|
Post by karma67 on Sept 3, 2020 4:24:38 GMT
The GL is a replica of the GEC at about 10-20 times less the cost. NO valve is worth that much brass! it depends on how long they last and how often you use the amp imo |
|
