What can you tell me about KT88's??

[napalmdeath]

Never had a chance to play a KT88 powered amp, and the Thrasher takes them. What should I expect, if I throw in a pair? Will it smooth it out too much, kill the aggressive character, or will it make it bigger a meaner?

Most of what I've read is that they are clean, high headroom and maybe a bit too clean for what I like?

 

[scottosan]

I had them in 20th Shiva, so perhaps the Bogner squishiness compensated, but I did NOT find them sterile. Food for Rock and Metal

 

[CrazyNutz]

If you like 6l6's, it will basically sound like a bigger 6l6. They can have a lot of headroom, and wattage if the plate voltage is high, like 600v.

To me anything besides el34's sounds mid scooped, and these are no exception. However depends on the amp. If it was build around kt88's, like for example fryette deliverance, it doesn't sound as scooped. YMMV

 

[napalmdeath]

If you like 6l6's, it will basically sound like a bigger 6l6. They can have a lot of headroom, and wattage if the plate voltage is high, like 600v.

To me anything besides el34's sounds mid scooped, and these are no exception. However depends on the amp. If it was build around kt88's, like for example fryette deliverance, it doesn't sound as scooped. YMMV

The Thrasher is mid-heavy, for sure. No lack of mids going on!

 

[braintheory]

I like that they tend to give a very big and tight bottom end, but as others said they’re scooped in the mids compared to EL34’s and also smoother/less growl, which I don’t like. I love the growl that EL34’s tend to have and the kt88’s are lacking in that area to me. So, will it sound bigger? Yes, I think so because of that big bottom end, but imo not meaner. Would it be possible to mix EL34’s and KT88’s in the Thrasher? That might be interesting to get a blend of both if doable

 

[Racerxrated]

What they said, bigger sounding with good mids but not the upper mid grind of EL34s. If you want more mids, try a pair of KT90s. Should be a pop in replacement for KT88s, at least they are in the Deliverance. Big like 88s but more upper mid grind like 34s.

 

[Braciola]

KT88's have a similar mid range character to EL34's but with extended highs and lows.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Sounded way better than 6550s in the 20th Anny Shiva I owned. that map sounded GREAT with KT88s.

 

[the4thlast1]

Is it just me or do KT88's sometimes have a kinda neutral blah type of tone ....Not bad but lack character compared to other more common powertubes

 

[Fret-Shredder]

I purchased my ENGL SAVAGE 120 second hand and the guy that owned it before me changed the 6550s it came with to KT88s. They sound super tight and punchy to me. I really like them. These are what I have.

 

[napalmdeath]

I purchased my ENGL SAVAGE 120 second hand and the guy that owned it before me changed the 6550s it came with to KT88s. They sound super tight and punchy to me. I really like them. These are what I have.

Is that their "Preferred Series" brand Chinese?

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Hey napalmdeath... its these.

https://www.thetubestore.com/preferred-series-kt88

 

[napalmdeath]

Hey napalmdeath... its these.

https://www.thetubestore.com/preferred-series-kt88

Yep, exactly. Their Preferred Series is private-labeled Chinese. Great price!

I find it funny, however, if you read their tube reviews, their "Preferred Series" EL34, 6L6, and 7025's all get 5 star ratings from their own employees. They give them 5's across the board in every category, just about.

However, I have read good things about their 7025's. I used to buy some Chinese Ruby Silver Series 7025's from Doug Preston, as well as Penta 7025's that were Chinese that were damn good tubes! They had an almost British Mullard flavor to them, (but they crapped out and weren't built for longevity). Great when they lasted!

 

[braintheory]

Is it just me or do KT88's sometimes have a kinda neutral blah type of tone ....Not bad but lack character compared to other more common powertubes

Yeah I’ve definitely felt that way too. The big bottom end they have though is nice

 

[VC4EverAgain]

How much influence do power tubes really make on modern high gain amps? Isn’t the tone mostly pre-amp?

Unless you really push the amp I can’t see how it makes much of a difference really.

 

[napalmdeath]

How much influence do power tubes really make on modern high gain amps? Isn’t the tone mostly pre-amp?

Unless you really push the amp I can’t see how it makes much of a difference really.

I agree. However, there's definitely a difference in a 6L6 and EL34 at any volume. I'm leaning more towards trying some 6CA7's for a more british flavor.

 

[Exo-metal]

I can tell you it's not worth owning a amp that needs them because you very simply cannot source good/reliable KT88s...nobody here can name a brand that puts out killer kt88s. I wish it weren't true but that's the real deal.

 

[shred-o-holic]

Did you try the E-34L's in there yet? I like how those sound in the Thrasher but again they aren't known for long life....I bet a pair of KT-88 would sound awesome as long as they aren't too stiff like the 6550....I have JJ 6L6G in my 120 but that's because they are as stable as fuck.........

 

[CrazyNutz]

I can tell you it's not worth owning a amp that needs them because you very simply cannot source good/reliable KT88s...nobody here can name a brand that puts out killer kt88s. I wish it weren't true but that's the real deal.

True. However if you put them in an amp that has 500v plate or lower they will be reliable. Also you're actually supposed to have 100k grid leak/bias feed resistors as oppose to the typical 220k.

Current production kt88's are having a problem with the higher plate voltage amps from back in the day, that were designed around the good old kt88's

 

[CrazyNutz]

How much influence do power tubes really make on modern high gain amps? Isn’t the tone mostly pre-amp?

Unless you really push the amp I can’t see how it makes much of a difference really.

I agree. However, there's definitely a difference in a 6L6 and EL34 at any volume. I'm leaning more towards trying some 6CA7's for a more british flavor.

EH 6CA7's are great.