KT88/ 6550 Experts help needed.

espquade

espquade

Well-known member
I recently sold my Fryette 2 90 2 power amp that was loaded with Electro Harmonix KT88's and I really liked the way that setup sounded with my Synergy Rig and regretted selling it, so I picked up another Fryette 2 90 2 and noticed after playing it for a bit that the low end was thicker and and not nearly as tight as the Electro Harmonix KT88's so after opening up the power amp I noticed JJ KT88's inside and I realize that I don't care for them as much as the Electo Harmonix KT88's

I wanted to ask if there are any other options I should consider before I buy another quad the the Electro Harmonix KT88's ? Any others that you liked more for high gain ? I was also considering putting 6550's on one side since it's stereo for a different tonal vibe, but haven't heard back from Fryette to let me know if that's ok to do?

Anyone go down the KT88/ 6550 Rabbit hole to discover your favorite of the bunch and why? Thanks for any help!
 
I don't know about KT88's but I always prefer Electro Harmonix for current production tubes. EL34's and 6CA7's have been good for me
 
RedB4Black said:
EH KT88 definitely my favorite with Fryette amps. I'd say get those.
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That's what I was thinking, but read on the Fryette forum that sometime in 2024 they stopped using them due to mismatched tubes with ratings that were really off and quality issues so I was holding off for the moment.

I tried Fryette customer support but you know how that can go...:eek: Still waiting for a response from them ...
 
espquade said:
I recently sold my Fryette 2 90 2 power amp that was loaded with Electro Harmonix KT88's and I really liked the way that setup sounded with my Synergy Rig and regretted selling it, so I picked up another Fryette 2 90 2 and noticed after playing it for a bit that the low end was thicker and and not nearly as tight as the Electro Harmonix KT88's so after opening up the power amp I noticed JJ KT88's inside and I realize that I don't care for them as much as the Electo Harmonix KT88's

I wanted to ask if there are any other options I should consider before I buy another quad the the Electro Harmonix KT88's ? Any others that you liked more for high gain ? I was also considering putting 6550's on one side since it's stereo for a different tonal vibe, but haven't heard back from Fryette to let me know if that's ok to do?

Anyone go down the KT88/ 6550 Rabbit hole to discover your favorite of the bunch and why? Thanks for any help!
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Did you see the latest live stream? He has an answer for you in detail:


Also, you said you are waiting on a response for them. Did you reach out via the forum or email? His new support forum seem to be more reliable IME.

They'll sell you matched sets directly from them.
 
Code001 said:
Did you see the latest live stream? He has an answer for you in detail:


Also, you said you are waiting on a response for them. Did you reach out via the forum or email? His new support forum seem to be more reliable IME.

They'll sell you matched sets directly from them.
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I didn't see this but will check it out . Thanks! I emailed their customer support the other day and still waiting but this info should help. (y)
 
espquade said:
I recently sold my Fryette 2 90 2 power amp that was loaded with Electro Harmonix KT88's and I really liked the way that setup sounded with my Synergy Rig and regretted selling it, so I picked up another Fryette 2 90 2 and noticed after playing it for a bit that the low end was thicker and and not nearly as tight as the Electro Harmonix KT88's so after opening up the power amp I noticed JJ KT88's inside and I realize that I don't care for them as much as the Electo Harmonix KT88's

I wanted to ask if there are any other options I should consider before I buy another quad the the Electro Harmonix KT88's ? Any others that you liked more for high gain ? I was also considering putting 6550's on one side since it's stereo for a different tonal vibe, but haven't heard back from Fryette to let me know if that's ok to do?

Anyone go down the KT88/ 6550 Rabbit hole to discover your favorite of the bunch and why? Thanks for any help!
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My first thought is go with what you like.

In my experience 6550's have a more metallic bite to their tone. They have a bit tighter and more aggressive sound. KT88's are a bit deeper, warmer, and smoother to my ears. It's a bigger, and a bit darker tone. That said my experience is from using Tungsol 6550's in a JCM800 like amp, vs using Gold Lion KT88's in a Matamp GT150, so their are way more variables.
 
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I thought those were shipping lately with 6550's because the KT's they were getting were shit??
 
midnightlaundry said:
I thought those were shipping lately with 6550's because the KT's they were getting were shit??
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I read something like that but hope it was just a few bad batches as I would prefer to get more of the Electro Harmonix KT88's as they sound really great in the Fryette 2 90 2
 
I really liked JJ 6550s in my deliverance when I had one. Under a microscope I think it gave it a little more bite and the expense of some weight, which it had plenty of.

But of the half dozen or so Fryette amps I’ve had in the past, they always seem to sound best with the tubes that Stephen sends them out with.
 
You want to post on the Fryette support forum. Email is not being used for support questions like this anymore.

They are going to tell your current production KT88 made by anyone is not reliable. That is why they are using 6550.
 
Have yet to try a quad sovteks but since its discontinued its rare now...
 
Wizard of Ozz said:
=C= logo Svet 6550s for the win.
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Those are good, no doubt...but pale to GE 6550s IME. The vintage GE 6550s are still reasonably priced, if you look for strong/used.

Another option, especially with Fryette(I emailed them long ago on KT88/6550/KT90, they said it's fine to swap in a Deliverance) are KT90s. Those are killer and sound like a HUGE BEEFY EL34. If I had a 6550 amp, I'd try a quad of those over any KT88/6550. They aren't cheap though. I had EH KT90s.
 
Racerxrated said:
Those are good, no doubt...but pale to GE 6550s IME. The vintage GE 6550s are still reasonably priced, if you look for strong/used.

Another option, especially with Fryette(I emailed them long ago on KT88/6550/KT90, they said it's fine to swap in a Deliverance) are KT90s. Those are killer and sound like a HUGE BEEFY EL34. If I had a 6550 amp, I'd try a quad of those over any KT88/6550. They aren't cheap though. I had EH KT90s.
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Hmmm. I Wonder if they'd work in my Matamp GT150?
 
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