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Google was no help here.
I know that a power tube is only on part of a system but none more important than the player but I was wondering if any of you have had any experiences with KT66 or KT88 power tubes for jazz. Ive used them in amps such as the Dr. Z Route 66 and thought the amp was wonderful and milkshake thick sounding but that was on a solid body and that amp was designed for break up earlier than I care for. KT88's I've only used in old bass amps.
Thanks!Last edited by barrymclark; 04-29-2013 at 06:47 PM.
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04-29-2013 06:42 PM
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I believe that KT88 will have a lot more head room big fat warm bottom end (Tight or lose)somewhat subjective.
The KT66 Has a 6L6 voice early before it brake up ,I'm using 6L6GC in my amp it's a Fender not a DR Z..
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Yeah, if I go with the custom build, I'm likely to stick with the good ol' 6 L6.
Originally Posted by bluemood
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The KT66 is simply a replacement tube for the 6L6. Being an audiophile, there's that word again, the audiophile community uses the KT88 aka, 6550's, in half the tube based amplifier's on the market. That tube is known for its smoothness and maximum power. The great thing about KT88's is because of its popularity and widespread use there's countless NOS and tube upgrades available at real decent prices. Genalex Gold Lion KT88's are some of the best out there, and matched quads are reasonably priced. Different makes of tubes make a real difference in the audio world. Bottom line...if I could swap out the KT88's for the tubes in my 6L6 based amp I'd pull the 6L6's in a heartbeat. That's a no brainer.
Good luck!Last edited by 2bornot2bop; 04-29-2013 at 07:44 PM.
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I don't think this is correct. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
The Gear Page - View Single Post - 6L6's + KT66's: are they entirely swappable or...Last edited by Bryan T; 04-29-2013 at 08:12 PM.
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I would not just put KT66 in my amp without possibly upgrading the PT power transformer or at least making sure that it can stand the higher voltage.
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Originally Posted by Bryan T
That depends on your perspective of what "some" means.
Yep, the heater current required by KT66s is enough to kill the power transformer on some 6L6 amps. Be careful making this swap.
Apart from this, they're virtually the same.
I'm basing my input based upon audiophile amp experience with these tubes, not guitar amp experience. But, to that end, you might consider informing this tube authority on how incorrect he is:
Best 6L6 > 6L6 Selection Guide - BOI AudioWorks
KT66 was originally developed as European counterpart to 6L6GC. KT stands for Kinkless Tetrode.KT66 has higher filament draw than a 6L6, and can handle more power. In audio application, KT66 are smoother sounding with great texture. In a guitar amp, KT66 gives more agressive voicing as demonstrated by Marshall JTM45 Bluesbreaker.
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The KT88 has intrigued me for some time. The high clean headroom is very appealing.
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I've tried KT88's in a tube guitar amp and they were alright. They had plenty of clean headroom for sure with nice
deep, firm bass, loads of clean headroom, and the highs were not brittle at all. Personally I still much preferred the 6L6 for guitar amp purposes. Keep in mind, though, that I like the "coloration" a good tube amp provides. The 6L6 have a more
harmonically complex midrange and the top end had that nice 6L6 "swirl".
The KT88's did have a deeper bass but for jazz guitar not sure that's really an issue.
A good 6L6 tube has plenty of bottom. Those were the results in my amp, in your amp YMMV.
The KT88's did have loads of clean headroom and did not seem to color the sound as much as a 6L6.
So if your curious try some out and see for yourself in your amp. If your the guy with the fine hand carved guitar
who just wants to hear the sound of his guitar amplified without as much coloration from the amp then honestly
they may work great for you in your amp??? Plenty smooth with headroom to burn.
For Hi-Fi purposes I'll leave that to someone who's experimented with that in a Hi-Fi amp. Although from what I heard in the guitar amp comparison I'd say that for Hi-Fi KT88's might be worth a look see.
I tried these
They were very nice but I still preferred these for my amp and preferencesLast edited by Double 07; 04-30-2013 at 12:51 AM.
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I don't know anything about audiophile application, but you can ruin a guitar amp by putting KT66's in a 6L6 amp if that amp doesn't have parts spec'd to handle the the KT66's. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
I'm not trying to start an argument, but someone reading this might throw some KT66's in their 6L6 amp and mess their amp up. If you're not sure if it can take KT66's, ask a tech or someone who knows how to definitely answer that question for your specific amp.
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Why stop at KT88?
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And I didn't, or wouldn't, suggest that anyone make any tube replacement without knowing if ones amp was up to the task. Originally Posted by Greaser
Common sense would dictate before doing any tube mods one needs to know their amp, and if they don't it's time to have a tech consider the mods one is considering.
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If you're interested in tube subs to get different sounds you should call or email Bob or Jay over at Eurotubes.com. Originally Posted by Greaser
The JJ tubes are the best new production tubes hands down IMO. Coming close to and in some cases even surpassing
NOS tubes.
Also the guys at the JJ factory apparently had guitar player's in mind when designing their tubes (a large part of their customer
base, right). So some of their tubes, like the JJ 6550, will drop right into most 6L6 amps without any current draw issues,
and still sound like a great 6550 should.
Call or email the guys at Eurotubes and tell them what amp the tubes will be going into and what kind of sound your after.
Since Eurotubes ONLY sells JJ tubes they have become experts on JJ tubes. What they sound like in different amps, tube
substitutions and all. Some of the JJ tubes, including JJ KT88's are more "flexible" than other tubes and will work in amps
where tubes from other manufacturer's of the same category won't, just a re-bias.
JJ tubes come close enough to NOS sonics for a fraction of the price that some NOS tube vendors try to hate on JJ. Dayuuum!! LOL
No I'm not a paid endorser for JJ or Eurotubes (yet) or affiliated with them in any way, just a very satisfied customer.Last edited by Double 07; 04-30-2013 at 03:14 PM.
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I'd add that JJ tubes are made in Slovakia, and are known as a best bang for buck tube. Originally Posted by Double 07
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How many watts will a pair of KT88s put out?
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Rediculous amounts if power. I think a pair in push/pull can do 100w Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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2nd on the awesomeness of JJ tubes and particularly Eurotubes!!
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Do you need a 100W amp? I hear they're "to" heavy. Originally Posted by barrymclark
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Do I? Not unless am I playing with high gain. Just answering the question. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
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